South China Morning Post
Advertisement
Advertisement
5G
Get more with myNEWS
A personalised news feed of stories that matter to you
Learn more
TechTech Trends

8 things you may not know about 5G

  • 5G, or fifth-generation mobile telecommunications technology, enables data to be transferred at a speed that's 20 times faster than existing standards. The Huawei 5G fight is at the centre of the US-China tech war. A Huawei ban was implemented in the US in May 2019.
5G
SCMP Reporters
SCMP Reporters
Why you can trust SCMP

From potential health risks to key use cases, here are the top things you may not know about 5G.

1. What is 5G?

5G is the next generation of wireless networks that will enable new business models and better consumer experiences. Learn more
5G represents the first wireless technology designed primarily to support mobility services for machines. For telecoms network operators, 5G would extend the potential number of connected devices to many times the number of their subscribers. Photo: Shutterstock

2. Why is indoor coverage so imporant?

5G can't go through walls. Indoor networks are needed to drive adoption. Learn more
Mobile network operators are counting on 5G to enable a wide range of indoor applications for both consumers and industries. Illustration: Brian Wang

3. Does 5G pose a health risk?

No, says the World Health Organization. Learn more
Protesters march against 5G technology in The Hague, Netherlands. They are worried about possible side effects from prolonged exposure to high frequency radio waves. Photo: Michel Porro/Getty Images

4. On what area will 5G have the biggest impact?

5G will enable ubiquitous computing power via the Internet of Things (IoT). Learn more
With peak data rates up to 20 times faster than 4G, 5G will serve as “the connective tissue” for the internet of things, autonomous cars, smart cities and new mobile applications. Photo: Shutterstock

5. Are users in China excited by 5G?

Yes and no. They're excited by the tech, but coverage still isn't great. Learn more
The 5G communication services exhibition area of the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

6. How will 5G help regular people?

It could drastically decrease the cost of expensive medical treatments. Learn more
Medical staff of the Shitai County People's Hospital conduct an endoscopic surgery under the guidance of experts from the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University through a 5G-powered remote collaborative operating platform in Shitai, located in eastern China's Anhui province, on May 10, 2019. Photo: Xinhua

7. Why did the US lose out to Huawei in mobile networks?

US network companies lost their way in 1990s/2000s. Learn more
The US Telecommunications Act of 1996 dismantled the monopoly that AT&T had on phone services. Photo: AFP

8. How has huawei become a 5G leader?

Huawei has built a reputation for high quality, low cost gear. Learn more
Shenzhen-based Huawei Technologies, the world’s largest telecommunications equipment supplier, gets almost half of its more than US$100 billion in annual revenue from overseas markets. Photo: Reuters
Advertisement
Post