COMMUNICATIONS & NETWORKING
Communications & Networking Technology
The impending rollout of 5G network technology in the United States is likely to change the way both critical infrastructure and consumers can utilize internet-connected devices, speeding up the evolution of the Internet of Things, industrial automation, smart cities, connected vehicles, and more.
5G network speeds are expected to be about 1,000 times faster than the 4G connections that most people in America currently use. China has begun a nationwide rollout of the network, and the United States is expected to follow in its footsteps within the next five years. In fact, some metropolitan areas already have 5G connectivity as cell phone and internet providers test out the network.
The transition to lightning-fast internet speeds won’t happen overnight, though. Existing networks will need to be updated, and new networks will need to be installed in rural areas. 5G networks will also rely on millimeter wave technology and require higher bandwidth speeds, which means that towers and antennas, as well as internet-connected devices, will need to be outfitted with components that can handle 5G.
The buildout of 5G infrastructure will require updated high-speed interconnects, sensors, multi-band antennas, and fiber optic cables, which can handle the higher bandwidths brought by the new network while reducing latency, generating less heat, and consuming less energy. Manufacturers also have to both future-proof these components, as networks are only expected to increase in speed, while keeping them backward compatible to function on legacy networks. And since the new technology will be used ubiquitously in the consumer market, costs need to be kept as low as possible.
