Most cellular providers are advertising 5G networks these days, but they’re not very clear as to what it is or what it will mean for cell phones once these “5G ready” networks turn on the 5G signals. The meaning of 5G is just “5th Generation” which is fairly vague, but the standards for 5G were decided upon a few years ago. However, the technology and investment is just now starting to get to the point where it’s being beta tested.
Cellular networks that currently offer any sort of 5G are using technologies that are in their prototype phases, and once 5G becomes the standalone standard, the current 5G capable phones will not be compatible with the standard networks. Every generation of cellular signals are distinguished by an inherent difference that makes it incompatible with the past generation.
The goal is that each time a new generation of cellular network is developed that speed and coverage are improved upon in a significant manner. 5G will deliver on this goal with a few technological advancements that allow for drastically faster speeds and better coverage in more urban areas compared to 4G LTE. However, before 5G can become the standalone standard (meaning it is the primary signal and there is no switching between 4G and 5G for coverage) many changes in infrastructure need to be made.
Some cellular providers are making every new tower they’re installing ready for 5G signal, while others are working on upgrading their existing infrastructure. The limiting factor is that because of how 5G will work, the current hardware on the cell towers that were used for 4G signals will not be able to broadcast 5G. Specific hardware needs to be used for 5G networks and installing it all will take years. Most estimates of when 5G will become the standalone standard is sometime in 2022, but until then 5G will become less and less rare and something that many people will get the chance to test out.
