MIXED SIGNALS?
We help separate fact from fiction about 5G cell service
You' ve probably heard about 5G, but how much do you know about the latest generation of cellular technology?
Upgrade sin cell service usually go unnoticed, but the switch to 5G has been more visible. That's partly because of the infrastructure needed to build a reliable network, but also because of the wild conspiracy theories that have grown around it.
By using 5 G, customers can expect faster download speeds, with some service reaching over a gigabit per second. That lets customers stream in 4K resolution and avoid connections that lag when using data-heavy apps. But that service is extremely limited. Most 5 G coverage areas only allow for sub-gigabit speed.
The vast majority of people still connect via 4 G or 4 G LTE (LTE signifies the range between 3G and 4G), but 5G use is expected to rise with the introduction of devices that are truly capable of connecting to the blazing fast network.
Here's five things to know about the 5G network:
You can buy a 5G phone, but you might not get 5G service
Major smartphone manufacturers like Apple, Google and Samsung have announced or released 5 G-capable devices, the latest being Apple's i Phone 12 that will begin shipping this week.
Despite that, 5G isn't available everywhere.
In Oklahoma, AT&T's network covers the Oklahoma City, Tulsa and greater Fort Smith metro areas, with some rural coverage in northeastern and southern Oklahoma. Verizon' sc over age map is more limited and mostly excludes the Tulsa area.
T-Mobile claims the greatest 5G coverage in Oklahoma by area, and includes the panhandle.
There are two kinds of 5G service
Standard 5G includes service in the lower and mid-range band soft he technology' s assigned frequency. The exciting bit is what's known as millimeter wave technology, also called mm Wave or Ultra Wideband by Verizon.
All 5Gs er vi ce s hould be faster than 4G, but mm Wave is where the hype truly lives. By reaching download speeds of over 1 gigabit per second, mm Wave allows smartphones to reach wired internet speeds over a wireless connection.
The major caveat is that with such a high frequency and low wavelength, mm Wave service is extremely limited in range. Those waves propagate over a smaller area and have trouble
passing through walls. That's why the fastest 5G speeds will likely only be available in dense urban environments or deployed in areas where people congregate.
Carriers also must deploy mmWave towers in a tighter cluster than traditional cellphone towers because of this technical limitation. Consult your carrier for details about where to access mm Wave service.
The 5G rollout has triggered conspiracy theories
With the roll out of 5G networks across the United States, several conspiracy theories and unverified health claims popped up in its wake. Most of the concern is about the use of mmWave, which requires more cell towers installed closer together than traditional towers that can cover many square miles.
Some of the more wild claims involve the belief that 5G and the spread of COVID-19 are somehow linked. Radio waves, however, cannot transmit a virus. At least not a biological one.
Other false theories gained traction on social media painting 5G as a dangerous tool of an evil government or corporation. Still others worry using higher-frequency radio waves will cause health problems, even though the scientific consensus is that they are safe.
Cellular te ch nology faced similar health claims in the past, and the resistance to 5 G is no less intense. Over the past year, a social mediabased group in Oklahoma un successfully pe titioned local governments to stop the install ati on of 5 G towers and antennas.
The use of 5 G' s mm Wave technology isn't without valid criticism, however.
5G could interfere with weather observation, (maybe)
In congressional testimony last year, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association acting Director Neil Jacobs warned 5 G emissions could reduce weather forecast accuracy due to interference from the network.
That's because if transmissions spill over their assigned frequencies, those radio waves can be picked up by weather satellites that measure water vapor. Doing so could degrade the data and lead to inaccurate forecasts.
Officials asked for strict er limits on the range of frequencies used by mmWave antennas.
You might not need 5G
Sure, it's convenient to download an entire movie in just a few seconds, but the vast majority of smartphone users don't need Ludicrous Speed. For example ,4 G LT E speed scan reach 30 megabits-per-second downloads, which is comparable to residential internet.
Right now, it' s likely your phone already handles mobile gaming, music and video streaming, and large downloads with ease.
But cell phones aren't the only devices that will connect to the 5G network, and that's where the value of ultra highspeed wireless really lies. The 5G network has more bandwidth, meaning it can handle more device usage than older networks.
The world is becoming more connected. Home appliances, vehicles and machines used in business and recreation can all connect to some form of the internet, and 5 G opens doors to more advanced uses of those products.
Technology expands into the space it's given, so there maybe uses for 5 G wireless that haven't yet been imagined. Even for a simple smartphone.