5G
Fifth generation of mobile networks with peak speeds, minimal latency and massive device connectivity – the foundation for IoT, autonomous driving and Industry 4.0.
5G is far more than just faster mobile internet. The new mobile standard is changing how devices, machines and applications communicate. With data rates up to 10 Gbit/s and latency under one millisecond, 5G enables use cases that were simply impossible with 4G/LTE – from real-time robot control and telemedicine to smart city infrastructure.
What is 5G?
5G (Fifth Generation) is the fifth mobile standard and successor to 4G/LTE. It offers theoretical data rates of up to 10 Gbit/s – about 100 times faster than LTE. More important than raw speed is the extremely low latency of under one millisecond and the ability to connect up to one million devices per square kilometre simultaneously. 5G uses three frequency bands: Low-Band (long range, moderate speed), Mid-Band (balance of range and speed) and High-Band/mmWave (peak speed, short range). The technology is based on Network Slicing, which allows one physical network to be split into multiple virtual networks with different characteristics.
How does 5G work?
5G relies on new antennas (Massive MIMO with up to 256 elements), higher frequency bands and intelligent beamforming that directs signals to end devices instead of broadcasting widely. Network Slicing lets operators provide virtual network slices with guaranteed properties (bandwidth, latency, reliability) for different use cases. A slice for autonomous driving prioritises minimal latency, while a slice for IoT sensors is optimised for maximum device count and low power. Edge computing brings compute closer to devices and further reduces latency.
Practical Examples
Remote surgery: A surgeon operates via a 5G connection with real-time haptic feedback – low latency makes this safe for the first time.
Autonomous vehicles: Self-driving cars exchange position data, hazard alerts and traffic information via 5G-V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) in milliseconds.
Smart factory: Production robots are controlled wirelessly over 5G; sensors monitor machines in real time and report wear before failures occur.
Cloud gaming: Games are rendered in the cloud and streamed to mobile devices over 5G with negligible delay – AAA quality on the go.
Augmented reality in the field: Technicians see maintenance instructions via AR glasses, loaded from the cloud in real time.
Typical Use Cases
Industry 4.0: Wireless connectivity of machines and sensors in production halls with guaranteed reliability
Telemedicine: High-resolution video diagnosis and remote medical devices in rural areas
Logistics: Real-time tracking and autonomous delivery drones with centimetre-accurate positioning
Smart city: Connected traffic lights, parking guidance and environmental sensors for more efficient cities
Entertainment: Immersive AR/VR experiences at sports and concerts with thousands of concurrent users
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Very high data rates enable data-intensive applications on the move
- Ultra-low latency (under 1 ms) for real-time control and communication
- Massive device connectivity: up to 1 million devices per km² for IoT scenarios
- Network Slicing enables tailored network quality per application
- Improved energy efficiency per bit transmitted compared to 4G
Disadvantages
- High rollout demand: Many small cells needed, especially for mmWave frequencies
- Limited indoor coverage at higher frequency bands
- Higher overall infrastructure energy use despite better per-bit efficiency
- Security concerns due to massively expanded attack surface with billions of connected devices
Frequently Asked Questions about 5G
What is the difference between 5G and 4G/LTE?
Is 5G harmful to health?
When will 5G be widely available?
Related Terms
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