The Future of Mobile Networking

In a society where smartphones are becoming increasingly common and the demand for constant internet access is rising, it should come as no surprise that there is a push for faster and more efficient network options. After all, while it is true that smartphones can be connected to a wireless network, that only provides bandwidth as long as the connection is available. Should users be traveling and find themselves without access to a stable wireless connection, in other words, they must rely upon mobile network speeds. 4G, the current go-to mobile option in terms of speed and reliability, works well, but it does not provide the same speed that you might enjoy using a wireless connection. 5G, the future of mobile networking, aims to change that.

4G vs 5G

When cellphones really began to hit the consumer market, 3G was the standard data option. The “G” is short for “generation,” and 3G, therefore, was the third generation of mobile networking wireless technology. This technology allowed users to browse the internet (albeit slowly and rudimentarily), send text messages, and make phone calls. When 4G arrived, it brought with it a number of enhancements to usability, including faster service and the ability to view, download, and send larger files than ever before over the mobile network.

5G is the fifth generation of wireless mobile technology. It has yet to fully “deploy” and won’t start to hit consumers until around 2019 at the earliest, however that doesn’t mean that we don’t know what the technology will offer. We already understand that 5G will offer speeds about 66% faster than 4G. It will also provide upgrades to the augmented reality experience, increase mobile download speeds, and shorten the lag time.

Beyond Smartphones

When we think of mobile technology, our minds tend to veer over to smartphones. Keep in mind that mobile technology also includes things like smart home technology and even self-driving car technology. And when something as potentially dangerous as moving vehicles is involved, the technology powering them needs to be precise and fast – and that’s exactly what you can expect from 5G. The deployment of 5G into the consumer market will increase the potential for more and more devices to be better connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) and create a more unified experience for users across their various devices.

GeoTel is the leading provider of telecommunications infrastructure data, including carrier fiber route data, in a geographic information system (GIS). For over sixteen years, GeoTel’s products have been providing companies and government entities with the leverage and insight necessary to make intelligent, location-based business decisions. For more information or a demo, please contact our experts at (407) 788-8888.