The New 5G Network

The New Advancing 5G Network

All over the globe, 5G networks are going commercial. I know one thing is for sure, the new 5G network will have a big effect on society and allow new advances in other technologies.

In South Korea, the 5G network has been launched commercially (for anyone with compatible devices to use) since this April. With about 3 million subscribers in the first five months, users burn an average of 33.7GB per month, which is about 65% more than a 4G customer (Clark). With the new advancement, people are using more data, meaning that the technology is seen as reliable and
will be good for new advances.

Network Earth

In China, it has not been commercially launched yet, but there is a platform that allows some to have and test it. Using the network a 45-minute show was downloaded in 10 seconds (Zhang). This new quick technology allows for more to get done in a short amount of time, which allows people the opportunity to be more productive and connected, showing another positive aspect of this technology.

Although there are some problems with the new technology that could make it a bad thing. After downloading this show the battery went down to 5% and the phone overheated, which is a setback in the technology that needs to be addressed  (Zhang). It also requires a specific data plan and a specific phone to allow the 5G to work, which isn't the biggest problem because if it lives up to what it's expectations people will want to have a phone compatible.

In America, there are certain restraints being put to avoid problems with the 5G network, which makes it a good thing. According to Jennifer Wills, in America, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) started creating rules for the new 5G technology in July 2016. This being different from other countries, America has regulations so companies cannot try and trick you and buy a failing technology.

5G Business

In Boston, Massachusetts the new 5G network arrived around Thanksgiving. Along with 18 other cities around the US (DeCosta-Klipa). These are expected to be running commercially around 2020. In cities with larger populations, it allows more people to get the technology with the limited towers needed for 5G. Seeing this as a good thing, people are excited about the future and the unknown.

This technology is the beginning of new and more exciting technologies to happen, like self-driving cars, smart city devices, and new technology we can't fathom (DeCosta-Klipa). With these new advances, our world is becoming more advanced and allowing other technologies to be developed. Although with an increase in technology we also become more engulfed in it, new speeds allow more time spent on technology and the possibility of being less productive.

Although, like all other things (technology at least) there is a great risk with this new technology. I think that it is a step the world needs to take because there hasn't been a big technology advance like this in a while. But, we must address the risks and try to have ways to avoid them as much as possible.

Works Cited

Clark, Robert. "Six Months of 5G: What We've Learned from South Korea." Light Reading, 2 Oct. 2019, www.lightreading.com/asia-pacific/six-months-of-5g-what-weve-learned-from-south-korea-/d/d-id/754562. Accessed 3 Dec. 2019.

DeCosta-Klipa, Nik. "5G Is Coming to Boston. Here's What That Actually Means ." Boston.com, 25 Nov. 2019, www.boston.com/news/technology/2019/11/25/5g-boston. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019.

Fadilpašić, Sead. "South Korea Is the First Country to Launch 5G." IT Pro Portal, 3 Apr. 2019, www.itproportal.com/news/south-korea-is-the-first-country-to-launch-5g/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019.

Geralt. Network Earth. Pixabay, cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2018/07/14/11/33/network-3537401_640.jpg. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019.

Hassan, Mohamed. 5G Business. Pixabay, pixabay.com/get/55e5d2434b51a414f6da8c7dda793f7f1636dfe2564c704c722a7ed1954fc558_340.jpg. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019.

Wills, Jennifer. "5G Technology: Which Country Will Be the First to Adapt?" Investopedia, 27 Mar. 2019, www.investopedia.com/articles/markets-economy/090916/5g-technology-which-country-will-be-first-adapt.asp. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019.

Zhang, Jane, and Tracy Qu. "We Tested a 5G Handset in Wuzhen and the Speed Lived up to the Hype-Now It's a Wait for Wider Coverage." South China Mornign Post, 29 Oct. 2019, www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3035199/we-tested-5g-handset-wuzhen-and-speed-lived-hype-now-its-wait-wider. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019.