Understanding How 5G Works

Key Insights

In the U.S., 4G continues to dominate as the primary mobile communication standard. However, 5G is gradually being rolled out across the country and globally. With 5G, users can expect incredibly fast data speeds that unlock a new realm of possibilities for smartphones.

5G, short for the fifth generation of mobile wireless systems, allows devices to send and receive data wirelessly, whether mobile or stationary. Each new generation signifies a major advancement in wireless technology. 5G could enable innovations such as autonomous vehicles, delivery drones, and might even replace traditional home and office WiFi.

While you can buy a 5G-enabled phone now, it might be wise to wait a bit longer. Keep in mind that 5G is still not widely available. As of January 2020, only 30 cities in the U.S. had significant 5G coverage, including major cities like Los Angeles and New York. Meanwhile, countries like South Korea and China have already built more extensive 5G infrastructures, with about 90 and 60 cities, respectively, covered by this fast technology [source: 5g-expands-to-378-cities-across-34-countries/">Whitney].

In tech-forward countries, engineers are constructing networks that can deliver speeds up to 10,000 Mbps (megabits per second) in certain areas. Speed tests have shown that 5G in various cities is already achieving speeds 10 times faster than 4G [source: McGarry]. With such rapid speeds, expect even more advanced and powerful smartphone apps, as well as many other advantages. Remember when it took 15 seconds to download a 5MB MP3 file on a 3G connection? With 5G, you could download an entire movie in mere moments. Amazing, right?

Whether you're an early adopter or prefer to wait before embracing new technologies, one thing is clear: mobile communications are revolutionizing modern life. 5G is poised to bring even greater changes. Read on to discover what 5G is and how it could speed up both your personal and professional life.

What Exactly Is 5G?

Every decade or so, communication companies introduce new wireless standards, followed by the deployment of necessary infrastructure. The first generation, 1G, launched in 1982 for analog mobile phones. 2G debuted in 1992 for digital phones, 3G launched in 2003, and 4G advanced by 2012 [source: Segan].

The development of communications standards isn't determined by individual companies. For 5G, it is a collective effort led by Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN), an association that brings together researchers, hardware makers, mobile providers, and other stakeholders aiming to develop the next big leap in wireless systems.

As 5G is rolled out worldwide, it's expected to improve on 4G in several key areas. It will handle much more data and accommodate more users without slowing down. If you've ever experienced painfully slow data speeds at a packed concert or sports event, you'll understand the difference we're talking about.

Depending on the apps you use, 5G could be more energy-efficient than 4G, which should help extend your battery life. That means fewer frantic searches for a charger each day [source: Horwitz]. However, service providers will face a challenge with 5G base stations, which consume much more power than 4G—potentially double or more. This means hefty costs just to maintain the network [source: Hardesty].

5G is also expected to seamlessly connect with the Internet of Things (IoT), a rapidly growing network of smart, affordable sensors and devices. This includes everything from self-driving cars to drones and smart home systems like doors.

These are just the major changes. There are many other potential advancements that 5G could bring to the wireless landscape.

Why Is 5G Necessary?

To grasp the full potential of 5G, it's helpful to first review how cell phones work. For a detailed explanation, check out How Cell Phones Work. At their core, cell phones are two-way radios. They convert your voice into digital data that can be transmitted via radio waves. Smartphones, in addition to making calls, can also send and receive internet data, enabling you to play games like "Flappy Bird" and text your friends while riding the bus.

Because the number of radio frequencies is limited, and there are so many people using cell phones, cellular systems divide regions into overlapping cells. Each cell has a tower that transmits the radio signal required for communication and app usage. As users move through the area, their phones switch from tower to tower, allowing the same frequency to be reused throughout the city without causing overloads, which would lead to delays or service interruptions.

Most regions now offer full 4G LTE (long-term evolution) coverage, the fastest standard for 4G. In many cases, 4G LTE speeds are so high that video calls and movie streaming can occur with minimal delays—significantly faster than the speeds 3G could ever provide.

However, the increased use of mobile devices has led to a surge in data consumption, particularly with video and images. Since these devices rely on the same radio-frequency bands that cell carriers have always used, this results in slower connections for everyone. To address the bandwidth limitations and free up space, phone providers are exploring the use of millimeter waves for 5G.

5G and Millimeter Wave Tech

Radio waves are categorized based on their wavelengths. The shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency. 5G signals will operate at wavelengths between 30 and 300 gigahertz, which are measured in millimeters. This is why 5G is classified as a millimeter wave technology [source: IEEE]

The extremely high frequency of 5G signals is crucial. It ensures that 5G can offer immense data bandwidth, enabling many users to transmit and receive vast amounts of data simultaneously.

However, there are some important limitations. 5G operates in three basic frequency ranges: low, mid, and high band. High-band 5G (around 28 GHz) has a very short range, potentially covering only a few blocks at most in any area [source: Verizon]. This means that 5G won't be able to cover long distances effectively. Additionally, lower frequencies struggle to penetrate physical barriers like concrete walls or even tree leaves, making it a line-of-sight technology. For optimal speeds, your device needs to be near a base station.

In simpler terms, since millimeter wave 5G signals have a more limited range than 4G, service providers will need to create a more densely packed infrastructure to maintain reliable service. Much like WiFi, 5G will require more base stations placed closer together to support a large number of users.

Low-band 5G, which operates at 600MHz, covers a far greater distance. In rural areas, a single tower could potentially cover hundreds of square miles, though the speeds might be closer to 4G levels than the faster 5G speeds seen in cities. Mid-band 5G, however, offers a sweet spot, providing speeds up to 2GB per second in certain markets in the Far East. While U.S. networks haven’t yet reached this level, improvements are expected as engineers fine-tune the infrastructure [source: Horwitz].

The rollout of 5G's infrastructure will look different from 4G's. While previous generations typically involved the construction of large cell towers, 5G may not follow this pattern. Instead, service providers will install equipment, known as small cells, on existing structures like telephone poles and buildings. These cells could have a coverage range of about 820 feet (250 meters) [source: IEEE]. Customers would use wireless modems (or phones) to access the network. This could eliminate the need for traditional cable-based internet services.

Much of what 5G will ultimately entail remains speculative, but one thing is certain: 5G will be a significant upgrade over 4G in terms of speed and capacity. However, the transition won't come cheap. Service providers are expected to spend trillions—yes, trillions—of dollars to upgrade from 4G to 5G [source: Bayern]. And, inevitably, consumers will bear some of the cost.

Could 5G Harm Human Health?

As with any emerging technology, the full details of 5G will continue to unfold gradually. However, one thing is certain: 5G will bring significant changes to your life in ways that are not yet fully understood.

Despite the many advancements and improvements 5G brings, some people remain concerned that it could pose a risk to human health. To be clear, this is not about conspiracy theories suggesting that 5G caused the global spread of COVID-19, which is unequivocally false [source: BBC News]. So, if you're one of those thinking of taking drastic actions, like burning a 5G tower to stop COVID-19, it's time to rethink that decision and put down the matches.

A major concern among some researchers is the radiation from 5G's millimeter wave technology. Since this is a novel technology, we still don't know the full extent of its effects on human health, or on animals and plants, especially with the necessity of about 800,000 new antenna sites to ensure adequate 5G coverage across the country.

The worry is that we may not fully comprehend the long-term consequences of RF (radio frequency) radiation, commonly known as 'radio waves.' Ultra-high-frequency radio waves have the potential to harm your DNA and cause significant health issues. These ionizing waves, which include gamma rays, are recognized carcinogens that can result in tumors, cancer, and other severe health risks [source: Behar]. However, cellphone signals belong to the non-ionizing category of radiation.

Nonetheless, it's troubling that a $30 million study by the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) found that cellphone radiation caused DNA damage in lab rats and led to an increase in cancer rates as well [source: Moskowitz].

To date, neither the NTP nor the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified 5G as a potential threat. However, some researchers worldwide are noting a rise in tumors, particularly in the neck and head areas. These might be linked to the widespread use of cell phones, or perhaps they aren’t. Even the Mayo Clinic, a leading medical institution, suggests that the connection between cell phones and cancer is at most weak, citing one study that tracked the cellphone exposure of over 400,000 individuals over two decades – with no confirmed link to cancer.

For this reason, experts advise a calm approach. They emphasize that 5G radio waves are simply another component of the electromagnetic spectrum that we’re exposed to on a daily basis. They repeatedly assert that there is still no compelling evidence linking cell phone use to cancer or other detrimental health effects [source: Finley].

Whether or not there are health concerns, 5G is inevitable and will arrive sooner than expected. Urban residents will be the first to experience the impressive speed enhancements of this technology, while suburban and rural areas won’t be far behind. When 5G finally becomes a reality, your high-tech lifestyle will evolve in ways you can barely envision.