EE planning 5G network by 2022
While the latest mobile handsets are using 4G technology, EE is already making plans to develop a 5G network.
The 4G technology is becoming popular, with up to three million people using it regularly; however, the industry is continually developing and the next step is 5G. A 5G network could still be up to a decade away, as the development of new technology from research stage to practical use typically takes around ten years to complete.
EE is part of the 5G Innovation Centre, which is based at the University of Surrey. It is claimed that the new 5G networks could deliver up to 5,000 times more capacity than the existing 3G and 4G networks, with the aim of the new technology being to allow the development of an illusion of ‘infinite capacity’ ‒ sufficient capacity will always be available for any application.
Those who need a high speed to stream top-quality HD videos via a smartphone will be able to easily access this service via a 5G network, which will be composed of cells supporting speeds of between 10Gbps and 100Gbps. Users will be able to move quickly from one application to another, and communications infrastructure will also be improved.
Finally, the 5G coverage will cover the whole of the UK and will automatically include rural areas, which could lead to many people abandoning fixed line broadband in favour of the new technology.
Source: The Telegraph