If a smartphone and tablet are your constant companions, then you're probably also familiar with the internet. 🤠 5G internet is a fast and stable successor to the previously known 4G technology (also called LTE). What does this mean for you? The ability to use the 5G network for work, study, or online gaming. It is the latest fifth-generation mobile technology, and its operation is based on high-frequency radio waves. 5G technology has been developed since around 2018 and represents the next step in the evolution of mobile networks, offering significantly higher data transmission speeds than previous generations, such as 4G or 3G. Check out our article and learn more.
Key information from the article:
- 5G is the fifth generation of mobile network, offering significantly higher speeds (up to 20 Gbps) and lower latency (1–4 ms) compared to 4G.
- The technology uses high-frequency waves and MIMO and beamforming solutions, which ensure better connection quality and stability.
- 5G enables massive connectivity of IoT devices, supporting the development of smart cities, Industry 4.0, and autonomous systems.
- Thanks to 5G, new applications are possible, such as telemedicine, remote work, online gaming, and video streaming in 4K quality and higher.
- The 5G network is safe for health, and its operation is subject to strict standards and controls in accordance with regulations and WHO recommendations.
What is 5G technology and how does it differ from previous generations of mobile networks?
5G is the fifth generation of mobile network technology, which introduces a number of innovations compared to 4G. First and foremost, it offers significantly higher data transmission speeds, reaching up to 20 Gbps for downloading and 10 Gbps for uploading, which is many times greater than with 4G. What's more, 5G is characterized by significantly lower communication latencies, which can be as low as 1-4 ms, whereas in 4G it is usually 30-40 ms.
This technology uses, among other things, millimeter waves (mmWave) with very high frequencies, which allow for high speeds, albeit over shorter distances. Additionally, 5G uses advanced techniques such as MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) and beamforming, which enable signal steering and increase data transmission efficiency.
| Feature | 5G | 4G (LTE) |
|---|---|---|
| Internet speed | Up to 20 Gbps | Up to 1 Gbps |
| Latency (ping) | 1–4 ms | 30–40 ms |
| Network capacity | Up to 1 million devices/km² | Up to 4000 devices/km² |
What is the significance of 5G as part of the wireless communication ecosystem and telecommunications infrastructure?
The 5G network is an integral part of modern telecommunications infrastructure and the wireless communication ecosystem. It requires a denser network of base stations than 4G, which allows for better coverage and greater network capacity. Thanks to this, 5G can support up to one million devices per square kilometer, which is crucial for the development of the Internet of Things (IoT).
In practice, this means that 5G supports not only traditional mobile devices but also massive connectivity of IoT devices, such as smart sensors, home appliances, and city management systems – the so-called smart city. This makes it possible to control street lighting, manage road traffic, and monitor urban infrastructure in real-time.
Have you heard about the 3G network shutdown? Check out our article on this topic to get familiar with it.
5G technical specification – bands and technologies
The 5G specification assumes retaining the currently used bands from 700 to 2600 MHz and adding new ones that increase network capabilities:
- L Band – low bands with a frequency of approximately 300 MHz, aimed at increasing network coverage.
- Sub-6 – frequencies between 3000 and 6000 MHz, representing a compromise between coverage and transmission speed.
- mmWave – millimeter waves with frequencies from 17 GHz to several tens of GHz, which provide very high transmission speeds, but over short distances.
Thanks to the use of MIMO and beamforming technologies, 5G can effectively direct the signal to specific devices, which increases connection stability and quality even in crowded places.
At Mobile Vikings, you'll find a prepaid phone with access to the latest technology. Our technical partner Play is constantly working on developing the 5G network and making it available on more transmitters in Poland. Currently, almost half of users have access to this network.
What are the possibilities of using 5G for remote work, learning, and entertainment?
The 5G network on your phone is primarily faster and more stable mobile internet, which significantly improves the comfort of using online services. Thanks to low latency and high bandwidth, you can work remotely, participate in video conferences, or learn remotely without worrying about connection quality.
In the context of entertainment, 5G enables video streaming in 4K quality and higher, and even 8K, which is ideal for movie and series lovers on smartphones or tablets. Online games will also benefit from faster response times by reducing ping to 1-4 ms, which translates into smoother gameplay.
5G network coverage and availability
In Poland, 5G coverage is constantly being developed. Currently, almost half of mobile network users have access to this technology, and operators, such as Play, are constantly modernizing the infrastructure to increase coverage. It is worth remembering that 5G requires a denser network of base stations, which is a challenge, but at the same time guarantees better service quality in crowded places, such as stadiums, shopping centers, or large mass events.
What industrial and medical applications does 5G technology enable?
5G offers not only benefits for individual users but also enormous potential for industry and medicine. In Industry 4.0, this technology enables faster communication between machines (M2M), which accelerates the automation of production processes and increases their efficiency.
In medicine, 5G is used in telemedicine, where a stable and fast connection allows for remote consultations, diagnostics, and even remote surgeries. Low latency and high data transmission quality are crucial here for the safety and effectiveness of such procedures.
What characterizes the 5G network in terms of capacity and the number of supported devices?
One of the biggest advantages of 5G is its enormous network capacity. Unlike 4G, which can support a much smaller number of devices in a given area, 5G is capable of providing connectivity for up to one million devices per square kilometer. This is crucial for the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), where more and more home appliances, sensors, and industrial devices require constant internet access.
This feature of 5G allows for the development of smart cities, where traffic management, lighting, and monitoring systems operate in real-time, and also supports the development of autonomous vehicles that require fast and reliable communication with their surroundings.
Safety and the impact of 5G on human health
On the internet, we can find various information regarding the impact of 5G on human health. For years, we have been using cellular, television, and radio transmitters that utilize similar frequencies. The effect of the 5G network on the human body does not differ much from the operation of 3G or 4G infrastructure, which are available in Poland and worldwide. 5G transmitters have similar radio power to other devices emitting 4G. In Poland, very strict legal norms regarding electromagnetic radiation apply, with a limit of 7 V/m in the frequency range from 300 MHz to 300 GHz. WHO recommendations state values from 28 V/m to 61 V/m depending on the frequency.
Mobile operators must comply with these regulations and are subject to regular inspections. We do not need to worry about health and life, as the 5G network is safe. Despite this, on the internet, you will find many sensational claims about how the 5G network strongly affects the body and can lead to many diseases. These opinions stem from a lack of knowledge about how this technology works.
Summary – why is it worth learning about 5G technology?
The 5G network is a modern successor to the previously known 4G (i.e., LTE internet). The technology is distinguished by stability, speed, and lower latency. It is also a key element of telecommunications infrastructure that supports the development of smart cities, the Internet of Things, and autonomous vehicles. Thanks to 5G, it is possible to use advanced services such as video streaming in 4K quality and higher, telemedicine, and fast and reliable machine-to-machine (M2M) communication.
It is worth remembering that 5G technology is developed by international standardization organizations, such as 3GPP, which ensure its compatibility and security. Although it requires a denser network of base stations, this provides greater network capacity and better coverage, which translates into improved quality of mobile services.
