It seems like yesterday that 4G was the latest in wireless technology communication, but technology never stands still. So, what’s next in the wireless game?
The Next Generation of Wireless Communications
To clarify, 4G means the fourth generation of wireless technology solutions. So 1G was the primitive cell phones from the 1980s, 2G made all transmissions digital rather than analog, 3G upgraded the wireless transfer of data, and 4G is the current technology.
5G Isn’t Here Yet
We’re all expecting that 5G is the next step in enhancing wireless communications. However, despite the buzz, 5G won’t actually arrive for at least five years. This is because it’s not clear yet how this type of wireless technology can be effectively delivered.
But It Will Be FAST!
Processor magazine says that researchers are looking into “what technical advances can achieve goals like minimum 100Mbps data rates, 45 b/s/Hz [bits per second per Hertz] spectral efficiency, 100Tbps per square kilometer density.”
In other words, wicked fast.
The Internet of Things
With so many new kinds of devices connecting to the Internet, from Smart houses to digital agriculture, networks will have to grow to accommodate the traffic. One standard that will see improvement is the Wave 2 802.11ac, which is designed to handle multiple devices at the same time. This will probably become the next major connection type.
In the next two years, we should expect to see improvements in how wireless networks deliver service to users. Peter Crocker, founder and principal analyst at Smith’s Point Analytics, says “the reality is that Wi-Fi will be part of 5G, and it’s going to bring together a bunch of different transport technologies from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi to LTE and 3G, making all these things work together.” (Processor)
The Takeaway
5G is still in the future, but wireless technology is growing and will continue to shape our lives and businesses.
If you’re ready to step up to more of what mobile technology can provide for your business, contact Quikteks for a free assessment of your current wireless networks. We can help you identify points where you can improve its functionality. Give us a call at (973) 882-4644.