Welcome to Extenet’s comprehensive FAQ on the revolutionary technology of 5G. Whether you’re a technology professional, an intrigued consumer, or just someone who wants to know what all the fuss is about, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s dive into the incredible world of 5G, address some misconceptions and explore how this next-generation technology will transform our lives.
What is 5G, anyway?
Introduced worldwide in 2019, 5G is the latest advancement in mobile network technology, and it takes connectivity to a whole new level. While 4G brought us faster internet speeds and smoother video streaming, 5G offers lightning-fast speeds, ultra-low latency and the ability to connect a vast number of devices simultaneously.
With each generation, we’ve witnessed significant improvements in speed, capacity and functionality. 5G is no different and it’s poised to revolutionize industries, enable smart cities, increase demand and unlock new revenue streams for data centers, and create immersive experiences through augmented and virtual reality.
As 5G continues to roll out, we can look forward to a more connected, efficient and innovative world.
How will 5G benefit me?
5G is set to revolutionize our daily lives in numerous ways. Here are just a few examples:
- Superior voice and video calling
- With 5G, crystal-clear voice calls are the new norm, whether you’re chatting with a friend around the corner or connecting with a colleague across the globe. 5G even brings science fiction to life by enabling high-quality video calls with stunning clarity and zero lag, redefining the way we communicate and collaborate in real-time. Enhanced mobile experiences
- Say goodbye to buffering and lag. 5G will enable seamless video streaming, instant app downloads and lag-free gaming on your smartphones and tablets.
- The speeds are so fast and the latency so low, some people have a faster connection on a cellular network than on their home WiFi! (Which is why we’re big advocates for the continued rollout of fiber internet, but that’s a whole different article.)
- Telemedicine
- As a result of the pandemic, telehealth has become more common and more important than ever, and 5G will allow this trend to accelerate exponentially. Patients in remote areas will have access to top-notch healthcare, with virtual consultations, remote monitoring and, one day, even robotic surgeries.
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- The remarkable bandwidth and capacity of 5G breathe life into everyday items by connecting them to the Internet. We’re already witnessing this revolution in self-driving car features and smart home appliances that put control right at your fingertips, no matter where you are.
- Smart cities
- The possibilities here are particularly exciting. Imagine connected traffic lights that can adjust to traffic conditions in real time, or public trash cans that can sense how full or empty they are, allowing for more streamlined collection routes that increase efficiency and reduce fuel costs and emissions.
- Smart cities can even help save lives. After the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, experienced a devastating flood in 2013, the city outfitted its drains with radar sensors that could monitor where flooding is likely to occur, allowing them to move quickly to address the situation while proactively notifying residents.
What about 5G for businesses and enterprises?
5G for businesses and industries is where the opportunities for this technology really come alive, and it has the potential to be even more exciting than its consumer-facing benefits.
Here are some of the ways 5G is already reshaping the business landscape:
- Sport and Entertainment Venues
- 5G-connected venues provide fans with seamless connectivity – even in a sold-out stadium – allowing them to share their experiences on social media, access real-time statistics and stream instant replays without any delays or buffering.
- 5G also enables exciting augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications, such as “Pose with the Pros” feature at AT&T Stadium, where fans can take a photo or GIF with a digital version of their favorite Dallas Cowboys players.
- Hospitality
- 5G will offer hotels and resorts the opportunity to provide wider and better coverage to their guests, as well as offering personalized experiences, streamlined operations and innovative services.
- For instance, Extenet and MGM Resorts have partnered to bring our advanced in-building signal and connectivity solutions across all MGM properties throughout the United States, enhancing carriers’ signals across these vast properties, allowing guests to coordinate plans more easily with their friends and family, access keyless check-in, navigate to their activities, and utilize social media, text messaging and calling – all without interruption.
- Manufacturing
- 5G enables factories to operate more efficiently with connected machines, robotics and real-time analytics.
- You can already see examples of this in factories today, such as the BMW group plant in Regensburg, Germany, where their use of advanced technology allowed them to cut the time to deploy new applications by 80% and reduce quality issues by 5%.
These are just a handful of the industries 5G will change, if not downright revolutionize. We’ll explore more industries in an upcoming e-book on 5G we’re releasing later this year, so follow our LinkedIn page to get updated on when it’s released!
Is 5G safe?
Absolutely!
Since 1986, the Federal Communications Commission has required all wireless communications devices and broadcast radios and antennae meet minimum guidelines for safe human exposure to RF emissions. Every 5G cell phone sold in the United States must adhere to these guidelines. Additionally, any 5G equipment installed by Extenet and other carriers (cell sites) also must adhere to these stringent standards.
But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what the American Cancer Society has to say:
5G networks (and the phones that use them) operate on some higher frequency (higher energy) RF wavelengths than older generation networks (although newer phones can typically still use the older networks as well). But the newer 5G signals still use RF waves, so they are still forms of non-ionizing radiation, which is not thought to have the ability to directly damage DNA.
“Non-ionizing” radiation means the energy isn’t strong enough to cause cancer by directly damaging the DNA inside our cells. Aside from the RF waves used in 5G, other forms of non-ionizing radiation include FM radio waves, microwaves, heat and visible light. In contrast, ionizing radiation – the kind that can damage DNA given enough quantities, include x-rays, gamma rays and ultraviolet (UV) rays.
We, of course, encourage more studies into 5G, and we’re confident any future findings will confirm what we already know today: 5G is a perfectly safe evolution of the technology we’ve already been using for decades.
So, you can put those concerns to rest and embrace the exciting possibilities 5G has to offer.
When can I expect widespread 5G coverage?
5G is being rolled out progressively across the globe, with many countries already experiencing the benefits of this advanced technology. It’s essential to keep in mind that building a robust 5G infrastructure takes time, but rest assured, we’re on the right track. As carriers continue to expand their networks, you’ll likely see 5G becoming more common – and its potential realized – in the coming years.
In Conclusion…
The future of 5G is bright and its potential to transform our lives is immense. As we continue learning more about this cutting-edge technology and the experiences it enables, we can look forward to a more connected, efficient and innovative world.
