5G: FUTURE OF THE WORLD

What is 5G?

5G networks are the next generation of mobile internet connectivity, offering faster
speeds and more reliable connections on smartphones and other devices than ever
before.
Combining cutting-edge network technology and the very latest research, 5G should
offer connections that are multitudes faster than current connections, with average
download speeds of around 1GBps expected to soon be the norm.
The networks will help power a huge rise in Internet of Things technology, providing the
infrastructure needed to carry huge amounts of data, allowing for a smarter and more
connected world.

5G networks are already starting to appear and are expected to launch across the world
by 2020, working alongside existing 3G and 4G technology to provide speedier
connections that stay online no matter where you are.

When will 5G launch?

In the US
Verizon surprised most of the world by launching its 5G network at the start of April
2019, making it the first globally to offer the next-generation network.
It's currently only available in limited parts of Chicago and a few other locations, and
there are just two handsets currently available to use on the new 5G network.
In Chicago, US we've managed to obtain speeds of up to 1.4Gbps, which is massively
faster than 4G's theoretical top speed of 300Mbps (although average speeds tend to be
below 100Mbps).
However, 5G coverage is patchy and we had to move around the city's various 5G
masts to get this top speed. We did tend to get around 1Gbps quite consistently though.
5G in London, UK is more of a mixed bag, with speeds in our test ranging from
200Mbps to 550Mbps - still much quicker than 4G, but not the same level as we are
seeing in Chicago.
AT&T has rolled out its 5G network to 19 cities across the States, but it still doesn't offer
any 5G phones - with your only option for now a 5G Netgear Nitehawk mobile hotspot.
Meanwhile, T-Mobile is yet to launch its 5G network in the US, but it previously said it
would bring 5G to 30 cities, starting in New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Las
Vegas.
In the UK
EE was the first UK carrier to launch its 5G network, switching it on in six cities on May
30 2019. It has promised to bring 5G to 10 further cities by the end of 2019.
It was followed by Vodafone on July 3, 2019, when it launched 5G in seven cities, rolling
out to a further eight towns and cities on July 17.
Next up was Three, which launched a 5G service in London on August 19, however,
there's a catch - it's initially only available for home broadband. However, it will be
coming to mobile later this year, as well as to 24 more towns and cities.
O2 meanwhile is the only major UK network not to have any sort of 5G service yet, but it
plans to roll 5G out in October.
In Australia
Telstra's 5G coverage went live as of May, 2019, with the launch of the first 5G
smartphone in Australia – the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G.
At the time, coverage was limited to 10 major cities and regions and, within those
regions, was somewhat limited and patchy. This includes Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra,
Gold Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and Toowoomba.
The rollout continues, however, and coverage is steadily increasing. For a detailed and
up-to-date map on coverage across Australia, check out Telstra's dedicated 5G page.
Optus, on the other hand, hasn't released any concrete timelines or roadmaps, although
its official website does mention that it aims to have 1,200 5G sites built by March 2020,
which could indicate a date for public availability

What 5G phones are available?

A number of 5G phone announcements have been made in 2019, however only a
handful are currently available, and the choice is further limited by country and carrier.
In the US, Motorola's 5G Moto Mod provides next-generation connectivity to a select
few Moto Z handsets, plus the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G is also available.
For those in the UK, you can currently get hold of six 5G phones; the Samsung Galaxy
S10 5G, Oppo Reno 5G, OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G, Huawei Mate 20 X
5G, and the LG V50 ThinQ 5G. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G is also available
for pre-order at the time of writing.
In Australia, only three 5G smartphones are available, and only two of these are
available outright. The Oppo Reno 5G and the LG V50 ThinQ 5G can be be purchased for
AU$1,499 and AU$1,729 respectively, while you'll need to look for a plan with Telstra in
order to score the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G.

How fast is 5G?

5G speeds will vary between locations, countries, carriers and devices, but on the whole
the average internet speed you can expect should be much greater than what's
currently offered on 4G.
We've been testing the first 5G networks in the US, UK, and Australia, and have found
speeds to be a little bit of a mixed bag.