Five Questions About 5G

You already know that fast, reliable Internet is a priority for your business. But staying on top of all of your needs – now and in the future – means understanding the best and newest connectivity options available to you. By knowing how they can help your business, you better set it up to thrive.

These days, that starts with learning all you can about 5G technology.

What is 5G and what do you need to know about it? Below, we answer the five most pressing 5G questions we’ve seen.

1. What exactly is 5G?

5G stands for “fifth generation.” That’s because it’s the fifth generation of cellular technology, coming on the heels of 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G. Deployment of 5G began in 2019 and it’s been making its way through the world since then, promising to replace 4G as the dominant cellphone connectivity option.

1. How does it work?

Many of the advances of 5G come from its new radio access technology, which covers spectrums that 4G can’t. This wireless air interface incorporates massive MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) tech that allows for more data to be transferred at the same time, and supports a diverse network of licensed and unlicensed technologies for added bandwidth.

1. What’s different about 5G?

Building on the technologies that came before it, 5G isn’t just faster than 4G but is also more reliable, with higher peak data speeds, lower latency and increased availability. And as a software-defined platform, networking is managed through software instead of hardware, which makes 5G more flexible – allowing for user access anytime and anywhere.

1. What could it mean for my business?

Because it’s quicker and more reliable than 4G, 5G lets you better keep up with your business’s day-to-day demands, so that you can upload and download data faster, better empower Internet of Things technology and keep up with your cloud computing needs. It also provides a more uniform experience, with fewer delays and interruptions – something that can increase cost savings and add new efficiencies to your business.

1. What if my business is located in a rural or remote location?

Reliable broadband Internet connections are a necessity for modern businesses – yet only 45.6% of Canadians in rural communities have access to fast, reliable Internet they can count on. 5G promises to help bridge that divide, bringing fast mobile broadband to rural communities by connecting to towers much farther away than 4G is capable of. That puts Canada’s rural businesses in a better position to thrive.

Find out more about Xplore Inc. investments in 5G Networks in rural Canada.