5G Service and Its Importance

When it comes to technology, one of the things people are talking about is 5G service.

Photo by Rob Hampson on Unsplash

According to Forbes:

The size and number of the “small cells” which power 5G also means that they will be placed anywhere in streets and buildings. It is going to be the biggest shift in telecommunications since the invention of the cellphone.

One of the benefits is one important to areas prone to hurricanes. After Hurricane Michael in Northwest Florida, many customers were without cell service for days - some for weeks. This made it hard to find family members, contact first responders, and do basic things like find food and water.

Storms knock down unsightly power poles, which is exactly what happened. With 5G, these wires will be replaced by simple, discrete poles, each placed 100 – 200 meters apart. While those are still poles that can be damaged, it's a far cry from having to fix huge poles with miles of linework. This may help after a disaster such as a hurricane.

Some major cities already have 5G service. Places like Atlanta, Houston, Indianapolis, and more already have the network up and running. It's only a matter of time before others do although rural areas will take longer.

Why is it important? Take a look at the speeds according to PC Magazine:

The new system is also designed to operate on much larger channels than 4G is, to carry higher speeds. While most 4G channels are 20MHz, bonded together into up to 160MHz at a time, 5G channels can be up to 100MHz, with Verizon using as much as 800MHz at a time.

This is a major deal. It will take some work and keep in mind that most phones are not compatible yet. Some people have even claimed it's harmful to us and the environment. With that said, technology continues to grow and 5G is along for the ride.