Everything you need to know about 5G

Will there be any problems with 5G’s rollout?

Some bumps are expected along the way to offering everyone 5G. More rural areas, for example, are likely to get less coverage than they currently do with 4G services.

Creating a network for 5G will be a very costly procedure. Service providers will need to develop an entirely new and expensive infrastructure which uses a different wavelength to the already-established 4G. Experts estimate that the total bill to upgrade could be in the hundreds of billions.

More transmission towers will need to be built to compensate for shorter wavelengths which could mean cluttered countryside. We’ve already seen how people kicked off over wind turbines, so expect more of that.

It’s not just technological limits that could cause issues. One potential worry is that increased exposure to radio-frequency could damage human health. In November 2018, over 180 scientists called for a pause on 5Gs rollout due to these concerns. There is some evidence, albeit very limited, that supports these fears – but it’s definitely not overwhelming or concrete.

You can put away the hazmat suit for now, but if you’re really worried maybe give HBO’s Chernobyl a miss.

When can we expect it to arrive?

Not for quite a while. These upgrades will be expensive, and not available to everyone for at least a few more years. We don’t know yet if network providers will be able to make a big profit, and as of right now the total price is probably a bit too high to make the investment.

But 5G is coming. It’s already available in very limited beta testing areas in some cities, including London and New York. The upgrade has the potential to radically change the possibilities of on-the-go communication, with ramifications across broadcasting, gaming, and vehicular technology respectively.

5G is the future. It’s just a question of when, not if.