5G

3GPP's 5G logo
An Android phone, showing that it is connected to a 5G network

In telecommunications, 5G is the fifth-generation of cellular network technology, as the successor to the fourth-generation (4G), and have been deployed by mobile operators worldwide since 2019. Compared to 4G, 5G networks offer not only higher download speeds, with a peak speed of 10 gigabits per second (Gbit/s),[a] but also significantly lower latency, enabling near-instantaneous communication through cellular base stations and antennae.[1] There is one global unified 5G standard: 5G New Radio (5G NR),[2] which has been developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) based on specifications defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under the IMT-2020 requirements.[3]

The increased bandwidth of 5G over 4G allows them to connect more devices simultaneously and improving the quality of cellular data services in crowded areas.[4] These features make 5G particularly suited for applications requiring real-time data exchange, such as extended reality (XR), autonomous vehicles, remote surgery, and industrial automation. Additionally, the increased bandwidth is expected to drive the adoption of 5G as a general Internet service provider (ISP), particularly through fixed wireless access (FWA), competing with existing technologies such as cable Internet, while also facilitating new applications in the machine-to-machine communication and the Internet of Things (IoT), the latter of which may include diverse applications such as smart cities, connected infrastructure, industrial IoT, and automated manufacturing processes. Unlike 4G, which was primarily designed for mobile broadband, 5G can handle millions of IoT devices with stringent performance requirements, such as real-time sensor data processing and edge computing. 5G networks also extend beyond terrestrial infrastructure, incorporating non-terrestrial networks (NTN) such as satellites and high-altitude platforms, to provide global coverage, including remote and underserved areas.

5G deployment faces challenges such as significant infrastructure investment, spectrum allocation, security risks, and concerns about energy efficiency and environmental impact associated with the use of higher frequency bands. However, it is expected to drive advancements in sectors like healthcare, transportation, and entertainment.


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  1. ^ Hoffman, Chris (January 7, 2019). "What is 5G, and how fast will it be?". How-To Geek website. How-To Geek LLC. Archived from the original on January 24, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  2. ^ "5G NR | 5g New Radio Standard | Qualcomm". www.qualcomm.com. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  3. ^ "3GPP meets IMT-2020". www.3gpp.org. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  4. ^ "5G explained: What it is, who has 5G, and how much faster is it really?". CNN. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2021.

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