5G is the latest generation of mobile Internet connection. It was launched to provide improved connection speeds, reduced lag, and greater bandwidth than 4G, which itself was an improvement over 3G.
It was deemed a necessary upgrade considering the proliferation of IoT or smart home devices, as well as technologies like VR and AI. For users living in remote areas, it can provide access to advanced Internet connections where no connection could be acquired previously.
Mobile Internet Connections
The majority of people have access to smartphones, requiring improved Internet connections so we can check emails, scroll social media, play games, and play at online casinos, including those with no Gamstop restrictions.
According to online betting expert Brett Curtis, more casinos now offer mobile apps and mobile-optimized websites, making 5G connectivity even more beneficial to players who want seamless connections to large game libraries and extensive bonuses.
5G Coverage
Ofcom estimates that around 90% of UK households could get outdoor 5G connections, although this does depend on locale and other factors, and evidence suggests this figure might be quite generous compared to real figures. However, where 5G is available, it does generally offer several benefits over 4G.
Improved Internet Availability
Rural areas have long struggled to get decent Internet coverage. The relatively low number of users and the high cost of infrastructure required to deliver high-speed broadband to remote users mean a lot of houses and businesses in rural areas have missed out on reliable broadband. While the government has attempted to improve the situation, the fact remains that a lot of UK users still miss out.
Around two-thirds of Suffolk is classified as rural, which means this problem is relevant to a lot of Suffolkers. Because it is a mobile Internet connection, 5G does not have the same installation and infrastructure requirements as fibre broadband, which makes it more accessible and more convenient.
Rural Use Cases
5G, like 4G and other previous versions of mobile Internet connections, uses cellular network technology. However, it uses a broader range of radio frequencies. The latest generation of cellular technology was deemed necessary thanks to the greater availability of smart home technology and Internet of Things devices.
For many of us, that means using smart speakers and connected kitchen devices. But, for some businesses, it can be integral to their daily operation. Per plant farming, or precision farming, for example, means collecting data on individual plants on farms and then utilizing this precise data to better manage plants and ensure greater crop yields.
This method of farming is better for the farmer, consumers, and even the environment, but it requires the reliable collection and distribution of data from across the farm, data that is collected via mobile connections. This kind of data collection can’t feasibly be done using traditional wired Internet technology, and even 4G connections can struggle to handle enough data quickly enough.
5G technology makes per-plant farming a viable solution. And, per-plant farming is just one example of how 5G can help rural businesses. Businesses of other types can also benefit from improved mobile connectivity.
5G Benefits Over 4G
Mobile connections are used for everyday communications like email, as well as for connecting to the Internet. For businesses located in large towns and cities, this communication isn’t typically an issue. Broadband connections are easily found. For other businesses, 4G might be available, and is still the most commonly found mobile connection type. But 5G offers benefits over earlier versions.
Speed, Connection, And Latency Improvements
4G was considered truly mobile broadband. It offered speeds of around 40Mbps. The most notable improvement experienced with a 5G connection is that its download speed has increased to 20 Gbps, which is around 100 times faster. Similarly, it also has approximately 100 times the network capacity.
This increase in capacity means more devices can connect to the network, and it also makes mobile broadband networks a usable option for remote businesses. Latency, or lag, was measured at approximately 60 milliseconds with 4G, but this was reduced to closer to 6ms. In terms of numbers, 5G is around 100 times more effective and efficient than 4G.
Improved Technology
5G networks started launching in 2019, with more networks coming online in 2020. The huge improvements meant that we saw a lot of new networks and network operators enter the market. In fact, the rate of take-up by operators was much quicker with 5G than with previous versions. 4G could be viewed as the trailblazer that set the tone, but it was 5G that honed the technology, made it viable, and offered greater access to all. But, with that said, it still isn’t available for everybody.
5G Problems
Not all areas have access to 5G yet. It is estimated that around 90% of the UK has 5G coverage, but those in very remote areas might still struggle. What’s more, this figure pertains to outdoor coverage. Indoor coverage can be more challenging.
Connection depends on factors like the local environment, as well as the indoor environment. Users who can get a connection from outside their property might still struggle to get an indoor connection.
Next G
Even though 5G hasn’t been completely rolled out yet, there is already talk of 6G. The technology is likely to be nearly a decade away, but 5GA has started to roll out in some countries. It uses AI and machine learning to optimize network connections, which will likely be a standard feature of 6G connections. It reduces service interruption times and improves connection quality for IoT devices.
Companies in Finland and China have shown off 5GA connections, and networks are starting to be deployed in these countries. As a buffer between existing 5G and future 6G technologies, it is not yet clear how popular 5GA will prove – it may remain more of a theoretical technology used to show how the next generation will advance our mobile Internet lives.
