But what is it? Chances are, if you’re in the UK, you’re using a phone that works on 4G internet – or maybe even 3G if you’re in a remote location. 5G is the next step up in mobile networking which promises to enhance the speed, coverage and responsiveness of cellular networks.

Although 5G doesn’t exist just yet, many organisations are testing the network and its speed possibilities. Samsung has managed to achieve 7.5Gbps, whilst Nokia has boasted an impressive 10Gbps. Compare that to the current best speeds in the UK of 300Mbps, and we’re potentially looking at a 12 x increase in speed, which means even faster than speeds you can reach with a physical fibre-optic cable.

Of course, these speeds could be scuppered by elements such as rural locations and thick walls. Your mobile phone also has to be able to manage the faster speeds and will probably need a greater processor or modem to work at the optimum rate.

The benefits of 5G

So whilst 5G is absolutely promising faster download speeds, it’s also expected to improve latency, meaning the time it takes for something to start downloading. For instance, if you’re waiting to watch a YouTube video, there’s a short delay before the content starts streaming on your device. Alternatively, in the gaming world, latency, or lag, can be the time taken between you hitting a button and the game server receiving that command.

When can we expect to experience 5G?

Unfortunately, it’s likely that we’ll have to wait until 2019-2020 until we can start to use the 5G network, as it won’t be functioning until the 5G compatible devices land on our shelves.

If you’d like some more information about 5G, or you’re having problems with your commercial WiFi, get in touch with our team today.