Here at 5GInsider, we receive a wide range of questions involving 5G and we’re happy to help. At this point, we’ve heard it all. From conspiracies to understanding how 5G works and everything in between, check out these frequently asked questions that may help you explore 5G in greater depth.
What Phones Connect to 5G?
The list of phones that can connect to 5G will change over time due to the discontinuation of particular models, newer models being brought into the market, and more phones becoming available. To learn more about the phones that can connect to 5G such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 5G or the LG V50 ThinQ 5G, be sure to follow along with our ever-evolving list of devices on 5GInsider.
Speaking of devices, this is an interesting point to consider. We have already seen additional devices connect to 4G; however, 5G will bring us a new era of devices connected to wireless in various forms. Tablets, watches, Smart Home devices, and even laptops will be created to run on 5G networks in ways we have only begun to scratch the surface on. Keep checking back for more as we continue to explore 5G devices as they roll out throughout 2020 and beyond.
Will My Old Phone Connect to 5G?
Assuming your old phone is not one of the devices listed through the link previously provided to our section on all things 5G devices, unfortunately, your phone will not work on 5G. The hardware that 5G requires must be installed on your device for it to access 5G networks and older phones lack this technology which brings us to our next section.
Do I Need a New Phone for 5G?
Unless your phone is enabled with 5G components, you’ll need a new phone to access 5G networks from your provider. There are a growing number of devices becoming available from brands such as Apple, Samsung, LG, and OnePlus to name a few. Furthermore, 5G networks are different for each provider, especially in the earlier stages that 5G finds itself in as providers continue to build out their networks. 5G can be accessed basically through three different tiers of the spectrum: low-band, mid-band, and high-band also known as millimeter wave (mmWave).
| Low-band | Capable of traveling the farthest but also delivers lower speed. Most networks that are accessible in 5G’s early stages are on the low-band spectrums. |
| Mid-band | Right in the middle for both the distance in which data can travel and the speed that data can be transferred. |
| High-band | Incapable of traveling farther distances but capable of delivering the speeds most people generally associate with 5G. The mmWave spectrum is primarily found in urban areas. |
As of now, the technology required to reach the high-band spectrum will cost consumers more whereas less expensive devices will be able to access 5G through the low-band spectrum. Each wireless carrier has designed different networks with varying strategies to deploy their 5G networks and these bands will play a part in how your coverage is received by your device. To learn more about your wireless carrier and how their 5G network services 5G, check out our helpful article on understanding your 5G coverage.
How Will 5G Affect Businesses?
While it’s true that the full benefits 5G promises businesses will take some time to implement, the next generation of business will be different thanks to this growing technology. Virtually every industry will be touched by 5G but how will it assist business operations? Take a look at some of the ways 5G will change business as we know it forever:
- The Internet of Things (IoT)- IoT will allow computer connected devices to communicate with each other without the need for human input. IoT will also empower devices to adjust to things in real-time and make corrections with accuracy in an instant. The concept of IoT will influence many of the following business functions as 5G and IoT will work hand-in-hand in a variety of ways including manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), and infrastructure just to name a few. For more information check out our article for a deeper look at the future of IoT and 5G.
- Autonomous Manufacturing- Machinery that can communicate with each other to perform functions and assist in real-time when collaborating on a project in the future of manufacturing. Smarter machines will no longer require human input and can create complex products on a larger scale.
- Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)- Businesses of the future can collaborate and educate via hologram to deliver messages in a way that feels more personal and conveys more information. Decreased latency from 5G networks will allow businesses to train employees with complex simulations or perform complex functions no matter where an employee is in the world. From virtual assistance to interactive marketing, 5G will merge the digital world and the real world in a variety of ways.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)- Although not a new concept, the places that AI will go with 5G and, eventually, the IoT, will be heights never seen before. Imagine customers checking into membered services simply by walking through a door that can read their membership profile. Enhanced physical and digital security by assessing threats before they occur. Logistically, 5G is going to help a wide range of businesses through analytics and AI will play a major role in this function, to say the least.
- Improved Remote Work Capabilities- With the idea of working from home on the rise and more and more capabilities needed to be performed in the field, businesses need a network that can transfer larger amounts of data. 5G will allow more freedom, greater collaboration, and the ability to perform complex work functions despite not being physically in your office.
Will 5G Phones Work on 4G?
Since we are in the very early stages of 5G, your phone will be using 4G bands as well as 5G more than likely. You also won’t need to get rid of your 4G phone just because 5G is rolling out. Both networks will be used for the foreseeable future though the future remains to be seen. It is important to remember that phones do require 5G capable components to connect to 5G but they will also come equipped with the capacity to reach 4G bands as well.
Did 5G Spread the Coronavirus?
Attacks, misinformation, and fear have run rampant in particular circles connecting the COVID-19 pandemic to the expansion of 5G networks. The answer is no. There are noted scientific, legitimate statements that will back up the fact that 5G has not had any involvement in the spread of the novel coronavirus. So, the next time you read an article on Facebook or have a discussion with a loved one, remember, we’re all in this together, but the 5G network is here to spread data, not disease.