What is the 5G?

Superfast "fifth generation 5G" mobile internet could be launched as early as next year in some countries, promising download speeds 10 to 20 times faster than we have now.

What is the 5G?

It is the next fifth-generation of mobile internet connectivity promising much faster data download and upload speeds, wider coverage and more stable connections. It is all about making better use of the radio and enabling far more devices to access the mobile internet at the same time.

Is it very different to 4G?

Yes, it is a brand-new radio technology, but you might not notice vastly higher speeds at first because 5G is likely to be used by network operators initially as a way to boost capacity on existing 4G networks, to ensure a more consistent service for customers. The speed you get will depend on which spectrum band the operator runs the 5G technology on and how much your carrier has invested in new masts and transmitters.

So how fast could it be?

The fastest current 4G mobile networks offer about 45Mbps (megabits per second) on average, although the industry is still hopeful of achieving 1Gbps (gigabit per second = 1,000Mbps).

Imagine being able to download a high-definition film in a minute.

When is it coming?

Most countries are unlikely to launch 5G services before 2020, but Qatar's Ooredoo says it has already launch a commercial service, while South Korea is aiming to launch next year, with its three largest network operators agreeing to kick off at the same time. China is also racing to launch services in 2019.

In France and United Kingdom, the 5G is expected for 2020. But for all of Europe it will be necessary to wait until 2022.

Brice and Romain

What is the 5G?

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