5G is here! It’s the next breakthrough and generation in wireless technology that’ll change the way we do everything online. Learn what 5G means for you, how fast it is, and who has it here.
What is 5G Internet?
5G internet is the newest generation and global standard of wireless internet technology. With 5G users, we can expect faster download speeds, lower latency, more reliability, and more network capacity.
How Fast Is 5G?
5G is projected to deliver max peak speeds up to 20 Gbps, but that’s not what each consumer will experience. Realistically we can expect downloads to be next to instantaneous, virtually lag-free gaming, and frustration-free browsing. While all this is great, 5G is more than just faster download and upload speeds. It brings more like highly desirable lower latency and much wider coverage once 5G is completely rolled out.
With this fast internet speed, you can enjoy watching TV streaming in HD, online games, working at home with Zoom meetings, and online class without the hassle of getting your connection lagged or hanged.
Is 5G Available & Who Has It?
5G is available now! Although coverage is constantly increasing, it might not be available where you live. The major three mobile carriers have some form of 5G right now; Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and AT&T Wireless. However, to access 5G you’ll need a 5G device and there are not many out on the market yet.
- Verizon Wireless: Advertises their 5G as 5G Ultra-Wideband and the fastest in the world. Their claims include reaching top speeds of more than 2 Gbps, ultra-low latency, and more. Verizon Wireless is still in expansion mode but is currently available in 60+ cities nationwide.
- T-Mobile: 5G with T-Mobile also has two types; 5G Ultra Capacity and 5G Extended Range available to over 8,300+ cities nationwide. T-Mobile claims that with their 5G service they’ll deliver broader coverage, faster internet speeds, greater signal strength, and more.
- AT&T Wireless: 5G with AT&T is a little messy with their normal 5G and their 5G+ service. Their claims include improved speeds, the fastest nationwide 5G network, a more reliable and secure network, unlimited without added fees, and more. 5G coverage claims to reach 14,000+ towns and cities nationwide.
The History Of Wireless Internet
As technology and the internet evolved, so did wireless internet. Wireless internet has made some amazing strides over the past 40+ years. In case you forgot or weren’t old enough to remember, here are the previous generations of wireless networks:
- 1G: The first generation of wireless technology was introduced in the 1980’s and was as slow as you might expect. It delivered analog voices that had poor voice quality to today’s standards and dropped calls often.
- 2G: The second generation of wireless technology was introduced in the early 1990s and was a vast improvement over 1G. With 2G technology, it introduced new features we had never seen before like SMS, MMS, and voicemail.
- 3G: The second generation of wireless technology was introduced in the early 2000s and introduced mobile data. With 3G came mobile web browsing, photo sharing, and GPS.
- 4G: The fourth generation of wireless technology was introduced in the 2010s. 4G and 4G LTE internet is the generation that made smartphones and mobile broadband popular.
- 5G: The fifth-generation we’re in right now is just in it’s beginning stages, but will bring faster download speeds, lower lag time, and overall a better experience to users nationwide.