5G is the latest generation of mobile networks. It promises a faster data transmission, a reliable connection and better coverage, therefore serving as the technological basis for new use cases.
The abbreviation 5G stands for the fifth generation of mobile networks. It is the successor to 4G and brings the following improvements compared to previous generations:
While 2G, 3G and 4G are primarily used for voice communication and the mobile internet, 5G is aimed at broader fields of application, these include autonomous driving, Industry 4.0 and smart cities.
5G technology uses the existing 4G infrastructure. In this case, it is referred to as 5G non-standalone (5G NSA), as the network does not yet function independently. The full performance will only be achieved with an independent 5G standalone (SA) network that will require new transmission masts with advanced technology.
New radio sites were set up for the 5G network architecture and the existing mobile nets were upgraded with small cells, massive MIMO (multiple input multiple output) and macrocells all being used.
5G uses low and medium frequencies up to 2 GHz, like the older generations of mobile technologies, whilst newer generations use high frequency ranges between 3 and 4 GHz. In the long term, data is to be transmitted at 24 GHz and higher.
The lower the frequency, the longer the waves, which increases both range and building penetration. However, less data is also transmitted. At high frequencies, the waves are shorter and the amount of data transmitted is higher. However, the range and building penetration is correspondingly smaller.
The 5G standard covers low to high frequencies and serves various needs. Low frequencies up to 1 GHz enable 5G in rural areas and support critical applications such as autonomous driving or telemedicine, which require a stable network connection over long distances. High frequencies from 3 GHz are sufficient for small areas and are ideal for Industry 4.0 or railroad stations. Such applications require a fast and reliable 5G net with a shorter range in limited areas.
Conventional antenna masts send signals aimlessly in all directions, whilst masts with beamforming technology direct the radio waves specifically in the direction of certain devices and increase the efficiency of the 5G technology. As a result, more devices can be served simultaneously, the connection can be maintained in heavily frequented areas and data transmission can be adapted to meet demand.
Demand adjustment is made possible by network slicing, where the technology divides a 5G net into several layers. Each layer can then be tailored to specific requirements as well as use cases and operated in parallel with one another.
An example is the separation of networks for industrial applications and for consumers. One network slice offers low latency and high reliability for autonomous vehicles, while another slice is optimized for streaming video.
The 5G technology achieves data rates of up to 10 gigabits per second, this is around 10 times faster than with 4G. The latency time, i.e. the delay in data transmission, is reduced to less than ten milliseconds. 5G transmits data both via conventional frequency ranges of 2 GHz and via new frequencies between 3.4 and 3.7 GHz.
What does that mean for consumers and businesses?
The 5G standard has been continuously expanded since 2019. However, it will be some time before a complete and independent network is available,mainly due to the costs and infrastructure expansion.
The use of different frequencies and new technologies, such as beamforming and network slicing, makes new applications possible. 5G distinguishes between three areas for different requirements: eMBB, mMTC and uRLLC. These are currently among the future scenarios until the independent 5G standalone (SA) network has been fully established.
5G nets are more complex and extensive than previous generations. This opens up new possibilities for cyber criminals. The high level of networking and the large number of connected devices make it easier to find and exploit vulnerabilities, whilst faulty implementations of network slicing or massive MIMO can also lead to security gaps.
With 5G, large amounts of data are collected and processed which, if not adequately protected, can lead to massive data protection problems. The protection of sensitive information is particularly important in the Internet of Things (IoT).
New protective functions should make the 5G technology significantly more secure than previous generations of mobile standards.
Separate security for individual components
5G components are secured separately and individually protected with new cryptographic solutions where if one component is compromised, the others remain secure. This increases resilience and makes the entire network more reliable.
Secure roaming with Authentication Confirmation (AC)
When roaming in a foreign network, the end device sends cryptographic proof of the identity of the foreign provider to the domestic provider, who can then verify the identity of the device. In this way, AC ensures that a recognized device is in a network and that the exchanged data remains protected, and an unknown device can be rejected.
Encryption of the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)
5G transmits a user's International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) in encrypted form which protects the identity of network subscribers from eavesdropping. Encrypting the IMSI significantly increases the security of user data.
5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks and the successor to 4G.
5G offers higher speeds, lower latency, real-time communication and greater network capacity than 4G.
The new mobile technology can achieve data rates of up to 10 gigabits per second, 10 times higher than with 4G.
5G uses more frequencies and newer technologies such as beamforming and network slicing. These can improve coverage and signal quality.
5G is crucial for IoT - the 5G technology transmits data faster and connects more devices with each other. The mobile communications standard makes new applications such as autonomous driving and smart cities possible.
The disadvantages are the high implementation costs, extensive infrastructure restructuring and slower network expansion in rural areas.