The rollout of 5G has proven to be at least as interesting as the technology itself. We've seen companies roll out somewhat less than accurate service names, to a major shift in the modem industry even before we could get our hands on a true 5G device and connect it to a 5G network. It will also create some unforseen difficulties for meteorologists. Today, T-Mobile Chief Technology Officer Neville Ray suggested that the full range of signal available to 5G networks will never be rolled out beyond small pockets of major cities.
This is not to say that 5G will not be widely available, the low frequency portion of the new standard will have coverage equal to current 4G networks however it is the high frequency bands that will offer the fastest service and as they are easily blocked by any obstructions they will be very short ranged. That will limit the higher speed versions of 5G to small areas in large cities where you can get a clear line of sight to a tower. Ars Technica has posted a good look at why this is in their latest article.
"5G networks will use both low and high frequencies, but they're supposed to offer their highest speeds on millimeter waves. Millimeter-wave spectrum is usually defined to include frequencies between 30GHz and 300GHz. "
Here is some more Tech News from around the web:
- Skyrmion bags point the way to high-density data storage @ PhysicsWorld
- WiFi hotspot app exposed two million passwords in plaintext @ The Inquirer
- Now here's a Galaxy far, far away: Samsung stalls Fold rollout after fold-able screens break in hands of reviewers @ The Register
- Microsoft axes its 'Sets' tabbed browsing feature from Windows 10 @ The Inquirer
- Merck promoting OLED inkjet print technology for foldable smartphones @ DigiTimes
- How CPUs are Designed and Built @ TechSpot
- Defense against the Darknet, or how to accessorize to defeat video surveillance @ The Register
- Don't skimp on the power supply: a 20 kW solar installation reviewed, part one @ The Tech Report
- Nitro Concepts S300 EX Gaming Chair @ eTeknix
- in $20K + HUAWEI P30 Pro In These Photography Contests! @ TechARP
Can they please stop trying
Can they please stop trying to sell us on this? It will let the tower multiplex more users. Woop dee doo.
Whats the consumer use case? And don’t tell me it’s reaching my monthly data/throttle cap in 24 seconds instead of 15 minutes…
So 5G is mostly a rebranded
So 5G is mostly a rebranded 4G except for high density urban areas. And Millimeter-waves will have a hard time reaching most through even thiner materials less than 1mm thickness! So that’s loads of antennas and repeaters inside as well as outside for full coverage.
But that will not stop the Marketing Folks from pulling one over on the millions of unwashed masses out there so ready to be parted with their money.
As long as my 4G/LTE cellphone continues to work I’m not buying anything new and my low cost smartphone comes with a replacable battery. I only need the phone to make and recieve actual phone calls and my legacy pay go account does not even have any data service anyways.
So that much marketed 5G is at best only 4.5G and really it’s been past peak smartphone for some time now.
I see that Intel is still keeping their 5G IP in the freezer for maybe laptop usage where Intel’s terrible 5G power usage metrics are not at such a disadvantage compared to the competitions’ 5G that’s actually usable in phones without draining the battery quickly. Intel had the same power usage issues with its x86 based phone offerings that Intel could not even make attractive to the Phone OEMs even with Intel’s billions in Contra Revenue perks.
Intel and the low power Phone market have never worked out and how could Apple be so foolish to think that Intel could ever do otherwise but fail in the smartphone market once again.
Now Apple will pay Qualcomm and Apple can only hope that the US Justice Department’s Antitrust division and the courts can stop some of Qualcomm’s trade practices. But Qualcomm has the best performing 5G IP and that’s once again standards essential based IP so Apple can maybe take it’s time to work up something better for Apple’s in-house 5G radio solutions via FRAND licensing for any Radio IP that Apple has not already acquired on the IP/Patent purchasing market.
Either way Billy Bob is not getting any bucolic 5G area coverage so even if the cows are wired they will only be 4G cows coming home to get milked for actual milk and not only money paid with nothing to show for it, or something actually able to go on any Count Chocula, Frankenberry, or Lucky Charms!
5G the hype train that does not travel outside the city is more like the Town Mouse jip joint for the hipster fools that will be so easily parted with their dosh in short order and nothing to show for it after that cash is gone.
What’s wrong with the term
What’s wrong with the term “microwaves” instead of the expression “millimeter waves”?
Are operators and manufacturers afraid of being unable to sell wireless M-I-C-R-O-W-A-V-E devices for brain cooking?
:o)