What benefits does 5G bring
5G TYPES FOR VARIOUS APPLICATIONS
Let's start by saying that there is no such thing as "one" 5G mobile network. Rather, there are three variants of one technology, each with its own advantages and its own advanced features.
The individual 5G types are distributed over different frequency ranges in which the radio transmissions take place. These are referred to as low-band 5G, mid-band 5G and high-band 5G. The differences between these variants relate to the special properties of the respective frequency spectrum. Basically, these properties of the individual 5G types are nothing new, because they build on functions already used by earlier mobile communications standards such as LTE and UMTS. The three 5G types and their advantages certainly deserve attention because they enable technologies and applications in enterprise networks, especially in the IoT area, that only 5G can offer.
THE THREE 5G TYPES AND THEIR DIFFERENCES
Low band 5G
The 5G low band can be compared most closely with the 4G LTE standard because it uses the same frequency ranges. The channels used for this are those on which the previous analog TV transmitters had operated and which were reallocated for mobile applications after they were switched off. However, low-band does not mean that it is less efficient than its LTE predecessors; instead, data transmission rates that are around ten times faster than 4G can be achieved here. In addition, large distance ranges can be covered in this frequency range, as was also necessary for TV transmitters. Low band refers to frequency ranges below 1 GHz. In Germany, the range between 700 and 800 MHz is used. The advantages of low-band 5G are therefore large ranges, as required in the flat countryside with few base stations, but data transmission is not as fast as in the mid- and high-band ranges.
Mid band 5G
The mid-band range in the 5G network is somewhat more complex, but not the most popular of the three 5G types. In the broadest sense, mid-band is located in an area below 6 GHz. In Germany, mid-band 5G is in the range around 2 GHz, where the UMTS network (3G), which has since been shut down, operated until recently. In addition, the band between 3.4 and 3.6 GHz is used, and the range above 3.7 GHz is reserved for industrial applications. The mid-band spectra enable a data rate that is about five times as high as that of the low-band range. This means that larger volumes of data can be transported here, but the range is rather limited and penetration of buildings does not work optimally.
High band 5G
The high-band spectrum in the 5G range can be described as the opposite of low-band 5G. Although only very short ranges are possible here, extremely high speeds can be realized. In Germany, the so-called millimeter wave range between 24 and 27 GHz is used; according to the frequency allocation of the Federal Network Agency, this band segment is intended for "local and broadband frequency use. The special feature of millimeter waves - large bandwidths and transmission capacities - have caused interest in 5G to grow strongly in the first place. The main limitation: line-of-sight is mandatory between the radio partners involved, and walls cannot be penetrated. Even heavy rain can impair the propagation of millimeter waves. For this reason, high-band 5G is preferably used in industrial IoT applications, for example in assembly halls. But the use of classic mobile communications applications in densely populated regions, such as shopping malls, is also conceivable. If you had to limit yourself to high-band 5G for general mobile coverage, you would have a coverage problem, but thanks to modern technologies such as Dynamic Spectrum Sharing, it is possible to use all three 5G types in the same frequency range.
SPECIAL 5G FUNCTIONS AND THEIR ADVANTAGES
Dynamic Spectrum Sharing is a unique feature that the three types of 5G can share. Other features offered by 5G include ultra-low latency of only a few milliseconds, IoT functionalities, and enhanced mobile broadband that will benefit users, especially of mobile devices.
Dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS)
With the shutdown of the previous 3G networks, 5G frequency spectra can be shared with those of 4G LTE by means of dynamic spectrum sharing. Whereas the older mobile communications standards still had their frequency ranges allocated exclusively, 4G and 5G can share their spectra, which contributes to spectrum economy. As a result, mobile operators do not have to commit to a specific frequency band: 4G technology can be expanded to include 5G at any time.
Low latency
All 5G types support data transmissions with extremely low latency. This enables fast responses to requests, as required for automation applications and real-time lip-synchronous video transmissions. Low latency enables immediate remote communication, as needed for video surveillance, for example.
IoT functions
5G makes comprehensive machine-to-machine communication (M2M) possible, i.e. the ability of machines, sensors and control units to communicate with each other without human intervention. These are precisely the capabilities that characterize the Internet of Things (IoT). Narrowband IoT is particularly noteworthy here, as it helps extend battery life with extremely low power consumption. For example, an IoT sensor battery can last up to ten years thanks to 5G.
Enhanced mobile broadband
As the name suggests, enhanced mobile broadband in the 5G network can realize fast data transmissions. This makes it possible to cut costs, especially in the corporate environment, since conventional network connections can be dispensed with when 5G is deployed across the board. Experts are already predicting that today's WLAN technology will become dispensable as a result of 5G.
CONCLUSION
5G not only makes the mobile network faster, but also comes up with exciting features. And last but not least, 5G also convinces with interesting security aspects that are missing in conventional mobile networks and make them vulnerable to hacker attacks, so that only 5G becomes relevant as a promising network technology for industrial applications.