The promise of 5G technology starts with ultra-fast connections up to 40 times quicker than 4G, but a more subtle benefit is the concept’s signal prioritization that would give a message warning a self driving car of an impending collision, for example, precedence over a video game download.
Experts say 5G will all but eliminate latency or connectivity gaps, making video buffering and delays in Skype connections a thing of the past, while defaulting to the strongest signal to allow a seamless transition between cellular and Wi-Fi.
It would also allow efficient handling of a very large number of devices including smart objects in the Internet of Things to support always accessible connections.
As such, it is expected to usher in ultra HD video on smartphones and pave the way for innovative new applications in segments including entertainment, health and transport.
5G pricing
Despite the promise of network efficiencies that would lower operators’ costs per byte of service, ultra-fast, data-vacuuming connections won't come cheap.
The technology promises speeds up to 40 times faster than 4G, allowing download of an “8K,” 3-D video on a 5G smartphone in six seconds versus six minutes on 4G, according to Nokia.
Higher download speeds have been accompanied by big jumps in data usage in markets including Canada and 5G would boost that trend considerably, Cisco says in a separate report.
Netflix, meanwhile says a standard-definition streaming video viewed on a phone or tablet uses up to 0.7 GB of data per hour; HD video uses up 3 GB; 3-D video uses up 4.7 GB and 4K video uses 7 GB, more than three times the average monthly data plan.
