Is 5G Mobile Internet Coming?

Over the last couple of decades, mobile devices have improved immensely. From a simple telephone, upgrades and advancements have put the power of a computer in the palm of our hands. In order to keep up with the rapid evolution of technology, the global information infrastructure has also had to evolve. In the last few years we’ve seen a huge jump from snail-paced GPRS to lightning fast 4G. Apparently, there’s still more to come in the face of 5G mobile internet.

Despite being in the middle of a 4G revolution there’s already talk of the next step in the evolutionary ladder of mobile internet service. 5G is believed to be in the pipeline and is believed to offer faster download speeds and incredibly quick buffer rates. But what exactly is 5G and how far away is it?

Mobile data exchange works on a wireless frequency and throughout the years a number of different frequencies have been used to provide data coverage. Advancements in technology have led to regular updates in global data services, with the most current and quickest iteration being 4G. The next step will aim to increase coverage and take internet speeds to the next level with 5G.

As it stands there are no official specifications for 5G but development companies around the world have been in talks to set standards for the necessary technologies and specifications. Technology giant, Intel has put its 2 cents in the pot by expressing its desire to supply the next level of 5G-compatible hardware for mobile devices.

What we do know about 5G so far is that it will utilise a much higher frequency than current data networks. As a result, it will provide increased connectivity. The high-spectrum band that 5G will run on has the capability to offer a massive increase in global coverage. This means that no matter where you are, you will still be able to perform internet-based functions without experiencing signal drops.

We can expect to see download speeds close to that of fixed broadband connections too. As we saw with 4Gv though, the official numbers are often exaggerated when compared to real-life speeds. The future of 5G looks promising however, with tests by Samsung generating an incredible download speed of 7.5Gb/s.

Of course, a lot of the information regarding 5G is based on projections and there’s nothing set in stone just yet. The International Telecommunications Union is responsible for setting the standards for global mobile data connectivity so we can’t know for sure exactly how fast our YouTube videos will load in the middle of nowhere until they officially release the details of 5G.