5G: The next generation of wireless services

Americans are becoming increasingly dependent on wireless technology. According to a 2018 CTIA State of Wireless report, Americans are embracing the power of wireless connectivity as data use year-over-year has increased 40 times since 2010. In 2017, U.S. wireless networks carried an additional 2 trillion megabits of data — totaling 15.7 trillion1 megabits, an annual record. That’s equivalent to every American binge-watching Netflix for sixteen hours.

Most American’s experience wireless connectivity over a 4G LTE network and it’s done a good job connecting everyone. The next-generation wireless networks — 5G — will connect everyone and everything.

What is 5G?The next standard in wirelesses technology is called fifth generation, or 5G for short. This wireless technology will impact every industry. 5G is a game changer, it will enable self-driving cars, remote surgeries using virtual reality equipment, present new options for public safety, improve oversight over agriculture goods and unlock the full commercial potential of drones. 5G will make all of that possible. Our current 4G service doesn’t have the bandwidth to connect the number of sensors, thermostats, cars and robots expected for the coming 5G revolution.

5G will be 10 times faster than our current speeds: imagine being able to download to your device a feature length movie in 15 seconds. This new standard will be available in 2020 but just like any new technology it will take some time for it to be available nationwide. Many industries are already planning for and testing this new technology, including T-Mobile.

Investing in America’s future 5G networkFor 5G to succeed it is necessary to add wireless infrastructure and spectrum. Technologies like small cells, millimeter wave, and MIMO will be used for spectrum efficiency and to densify the current cell network to bring 5G to life. Handset makers will also need to develop 5G capable phones which are expected in 2019.

The Internet of Things 5G’s faster speeds and better connectivity will enable the Internet of Things (IoT), in which everything from home appliances to implanted medical devices are connected to the internet. 5G will fully tap the potential for wearables, asset tracking, energy usage, remote surgery and self-driving cars.

Sept 2018 | HowMobileWorks.com

5G: The next generation of wireless services

HowMobileWorks.com

The economic impact of 5G The wireless industry is always innovating and growing. The investments needed for 5G are poised to transform the mobile ecosystem, our way of life and our economy.

The coming 5G revolution will be a driving force of the U.S. economy and the foundation for many future innovations. An Accenture2 report prepared for CTIA estimates that the impact in the U.S. from deploying 5G will:

• Generate $275 billion in investment

• Create 3 million new jobs, and

• Contribute $500 billion in economic growth.

T-Mobile’s 5G strategy T-Mobile is building out the infrastructure necessary to deploy 5G and will use multiple spectrum bands to launch service nationwide by 2020. The company has signed multi-billion dollar investments with wireless infrastructure providers Nokia and Ericsson to accelerate the deployment of 5G. Both companies will provide T-Mobile with the latest 5G hardware and software technologies to deliver high data speeds, extremely low latency, high-reliability and energy efficiency.

Using 5G, T-Mobile will develop, test and launch the next generation of connectivity services that enables a range of industries to offer innovative solutions, including enterprise, utilities, transportation, health, manufacturing, retail, agriculture and government.

1. https://api.ctia.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/CTIA_State-of-Wireless-2018_0710.pdf2. https://api.ctia.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/CTIA_State-of-Wireless-2018_0710.pdf

The five generations of wireless technology About every ten years an updated wireless standard is introduced to take advantage of new innovations. Here’s a look at the evolution of wireless standards.

1GCell phones began with 1G in the 1980’s. They were voice only, analog technology.

2GIn 1991 cell phones went from analog to digital and enabled text messaging and basic data services.

3GIntroduced in 1998, 3G ushered in faster data-transmission speeds like video calling, mobile internet and streaming audio and video.

4GThe current standard released in 2008, allows for high-speed internet and high-capacity mobile multimedia, faster mobile broadband, and data-intensive applications.

5GAn evolving standard that will improve on 4G and be a revolution in technology — connecting trillions of devices and offering faster speeds and better mobility.