The much-anticipated superfast 5G network could be launched in 2019-2020 in some countries. But what can 5G internet do? How fast is it? Will we need a 5G-compatible smartphone? Here's everything you need to know.
 

What Is 5G? 

It represents next-gen internet connectivity that promises faster data download and upload speeds. It will offer a wider coverage and a more reliable and stable connection across mobile devices.

5G will do more than just connect people. It will also enable the interoperability of systems and devices, delivering elevated levels of performance and efficiency that will empower users.

How Fast Is 5G?

The benchmark of wireless network performance is speed. Hence, a 5G download speed is expected to be faster than 4G in future, reaching up to 10 Gbit/s. With this, you can download an entire HD (high-definition) film in less than a second. The table below illustrates just how much faster 5G will be compared to existing networks.

Network Type : Download Speed 

3G Network : 384kbps 

4G Network : 100Mbps 

5G Network : 10Gbit or more 

At the moment, LTE is the fastest mobile network available and will continue to be on market even after 5G takes ahold. It is worthy of note that the 5G network involves more than just speed though.

5G Isn’t Just High Speed; It’s Hyper Interactive

The upcoming 5G network is more than just how fast it will be. In addition to higher speed, it will provide ultra low latency, a prerequisite for real-time applications. Latency is the response time or how long it takes the network to respond when you click on a link or play a song or a video on your phone or load a website for example.

With current networks like 3G, lag time can last 120 milliseconds. On the other hand, 4G lags less at roughly between 15 and 60 milliseconds. However, 5G delivers much lower response times as it will drop to just 1 millisecond—about the time it takes to snap a photo.

Network Type : Milliseconds (ms) 

3G Network : 120ms 

4G Network : 60ms 

5G Network : 1ms (theoretical) 

5G’s quicker response is critical for things like virtual reality, self-driving cars, and other machines and devices which need to respond immediately to inputs and changes in situation. At Acanac, we’re invested in providing fast and stable internet services at competitive rates.

When will 5G launch?

You may be able to connect to 5G network before the end of 2019. In the United States, 5G service providers like AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon 5G are operational in some cities. Canadians can anticipate 5G networks starting late 2019 to early 2020 or even 2021, according to an industry expert.

Carrier : Network : Possible Availability 

Bell Mobility : Bell : Late 2019 – 2020 

Rogers Wireless : Rogers : Late 2019 – 2020 

Telus Mobility : Telus : Late 2019 – 2020 

Fido : Rogers : 2020 

Koodo Mobile : Telus : 2020 

Virgin Mobile : Bell : 2020 

Freedom Mobile : Shaw : 2021? 

SaskTel : SaskTel : 2021+ 

Videotron : Videotron : 2021+ 

Meanwhile, China is also racing to launch this service in 2019 and is currently experimenting with ultra HD live drone broadcasts using 5G. It is worth noting that previous generations of internet networks took time to settle with internet users and the same can be expected of 5G. The 4G LTE will continue to serve in areas where there’s no 5G coverage.

Will I Need a 5G Compatible Phone?

Yes! When 4G was introduced back in 2009/10, 4G compatible smartphones came into the market long before the service was fully rolled out. This resulted in frustration among some consumers who initially thought they were paying more in subscriptions for a patchy network. This time, 5G smartphones are now available (Samsung S10 5G, LG V50 and Xiaomi's Mi Mix 3 5G) since the new network is almost ready. These next generation phones will be able to switch seamlessly between 4G and 5G networks for a more stable service.

Also. Read- Jio's Cheap 5G Services Would Make It the World's Largest Network