We\u2019ve been hearing about 5G for several years now. Like with most technology, we were talking about it on the heels of the 4G rollout, always looking to increase speed and efficiency. Often in technology, the next version or the next level of a specific item is in the early stages of development when the current version is released. We take what we have and we build on it, always looking to improve our capabilities. 5G is no different, but it seems there is a lot more talk about it this time around. So what is it about 5G that has everyone buzzing? What makes it so much better than 4G and why should businesses care?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s start with why 5G is better than 4G. The biggest reason is that 5G provides more robust bandwidth for data connections on wireless devices. This makes wireless devices on par with broadband, which means that providers and users don\u2019t have to worry about speed reductions. It\u2019s also likely that 5G will be available in places where wired high-speed internet isn\u2019t possible. Almost everyone in the world owns a cell phone, and there are still those who use it as their primary internet provider, so bringing everyone up to speed is huge because it helps end the disparity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what about security? There are all kinds of red flags waving claiming there are security holes and problems with 5G and that it\u2019s not ready for IoT. The truth is, 5G doesn\u2019t really have any significant risks. Now, the range of 5G isn\u2019t as far, which means there will be more towers. More towers means more access points for potential threat actors, but the likelihood of an individual hacker using this method to gain access to a business is slim. Attacks like that are usually highly targeted and nation state-backed, meaning they are looking for intelligence and it\u2019s not an arbitrary attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s really no reason a business should not adopt 5G. It\u2019s like saying you don\u2019t want to adopt a more fuel-efficient car, it just doesn\u2019t make sense. And, like the car, eventually consumers won\u2019t have a choice, it\u2019s going to be the only thing available. Not only because it\u2019s a better product, but providers have no desire to maintain all of the networks they run. Most are already phasing out 3G, if it\u2019s not completely done yet, for this reason. As more consumers and businesses adopt 5G, 4G will be phased out as well. Maintenance on these networks is expensive, so the fewer networks providers have to maintain, the more profitable they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n