5G technology: how it works
4G vs 5G: how they compare
5G use cases: examples of 5G
5G Dangers: the fact and fiction
5G Internet: will it replace fibre
5G security: the full picture
5G speed: guide and tools
5G deals: get the best offers
5G phones: discover the best
5G networks: in the US and UK
5G stocks: investment tips
Want to know more about 5G? You've come to the right place. This feature draws together all of our best 5G articles to provide an extensive overview of the new technology that's being implemented both right now and in the future.
We believe that the new network technology will have a big impact on almost every area of our business and personal lives over the coming years.
That's because 5G technologies represent a sea change in connectivity that will revolutionise how most of us connect to the internet over the coming years, both on our mobile devices and increasingly within homes and businesses.
There are many parts to the 5G story, with a potential 10-20 fold increase in download speeds and latencies dropping from 50 milliseconds for 4G to just one millisecond via a 5G connection.
5G will bring us real-time mobile connectivity. Increases in speed, and this massive drop in latency, will lead to transformative change within mobile gaming, retail, communications, and beyond.
This article has links to everything you need to know about 5G, from the hottest handsets to articles explaining the underlying technology behind 5G.
5G technology
This feature explains how 5G works, how it'll be enabled and also the different varieties of 5G - of which there are several. The differences between them can be quite hard to understand, but this feature will explain it all.
While current 4G networks have seen speeds increase and latency drop, 5G improves on this significantly by promising greater speeds, extremely low latency and a network that's future-proofed against surging demand, especially in circumstances where there are a lot of people (and therefore a lot of devices) in one place.
We'll also tell you how things are set to change over the coming years as we move more into the 5G era.
4G vs 5G
Here we compare the last generation against 5G. If you're unsure of the benefit of 5G as opposed to existing 4G networks, then this is an article you need to read! While 5G technology is in many ways a turbo-powered 4G service, there are some significant hardware and software differences with 5G compared with that of 4G.
5G will ultimately give businesses and consumers hefty increases in speed, lower latency and many more possibilities for the Internet of Things (IoT) as the networks become widespread over the next few years. Here we'll explain it by comparing it to the older standard.
5G use cases
Beyond the basic uses of mobile phones and the potential of cellular-based home broadband, how will 5G actually be used? That's what this feature talks about. After all, 5G is so much more than just a new way to use our phones.
In the home, 5G will revolutionise our mobile phones and it will bring speedier home internet connections that will be quicker than fixed-line broadband in many circumstances. Why upgrade the cabling when you could just go wireless?
In commerce, 5G will enable driverless and pilotless deliveries to take place via an integrated network. And in manufacturing facilities, industrial 5G will revolutionise applications such as stock control.
Completely connected and autonomous cars will also be connected by 5G. And it'll connect drones and more besides. So here are a whole host of case studies showing how 5G will be used.
5G Dangers
People protesting about new technology isn't a new concept, but rarely have we seen such vociferous and coordinated protests. And it's not just in the UK - we've seen anti-5G protests in many other countries, too. Here we'll examine the controversy surrounding 5G and the latest developments in the battle over the controversial technology.
Citizen groups and some scientists argue that radio frequency (RF) energy exposure - particularly the high-frequency part of the spectrum used by 5G – is dangerous to people and the environment.
5G Internet
The idea that a mobile network could replace a fixed connection at home or in the office is not a new one. Most modern smartphones now support tethering or personal hotspot features, with 3G and 4G operators also offering ‘Mi-Fi’ products.
However, previous generations of mobile data have been constrained by limitations that simply do not apply to fixed broadband. A mobile connection simply could not compete in terms of speed, while data restrictions have been a necessary measure to maintain overall quality for all users on the network. But could 5G be set to change all of this forever?
5G security
The UK Government has big ambitions for the majority of the population to be covered by a 5G signal by 2027. As mobile network operators launch new services - including EE 5G, Vodafone 5G, and Three 5G - much of the debate surrounding the network has been around the security risks it represents.
The security of the UK’s telecom networks is at the top of the agenda for the government. As 5G opens up more opportunities, the reality is that it is becoming an increasingly attractive target for cyber criminals, as it increases the available threat surface along with the consequences of any damage inflicted.
5G deals
We've gathered together the best 5G deals on phones overall before selecting the best deals for the key individual handsets. These deals will constantly change, so do check beck if you can't find what you want.
Also expect both the structure and cost of deals to change as we move into 2020, due to various factors - wider network rollout, increased interest in 5G from consumers and businesses and even the fallout Brexit if you live in the UK.
We'll also see a lot more 5G devices debut early next year, too.
Best 5G phones
5G is here, but with super-fast networks spreading, only those with a 5G-capable smartphone can join in the communications revolution. Expected to eventually deliver up to 20 times the speed of 4G, 5G phones are now on the market, with most major manufacturers – aside from Apple – having by now issued their debut 5G phones. An estimated 10 million smartphone users will be using 5G phones by the end of 2019. But will you be one of them?
5G networks
Whichever 5G network you choose, they all offer something a little bit different in terms of coverage and how they're planning on rolling out 5G.
One area a lot of the networks have in common is the selection of phones - especially between the UK networks where the offering is very similar.
Let's run through each of the key US and UK networks one by one and check out where they are in terms of their 5G availability.
5G stocks
The fifth generation of mobile network technology is almost upon us, promising to bring stable connections and much faster data downloads. Whatever your smartphone can do now, 5G technology promises to do it much faster and better. The new network technology has arrived on a small scale already, but is set to launch fully in 2020. Much like 4G, 5G will certainly become the industry standard eventually - which is big news for the stock market. Currently, the 5G market is valued at $131bn (£106bn), with analysts predicting growth of 111% over the next five years.
