5G is the new generation standard and supporting technology for mobile communication. This is not just an enhancement of the current 4G systems. It represents a real technological revolution!
The Technology
One of the main features of 5G technology is the increased capacity for simultaneos connections (up to 1mln/km2) with very high speed connectivity and response time. 5G offers users a bandwith of 10Gbps and a latency under 10 ms. With these features, 5G becomes the underlying technology for the Gigabit Society, enabling entirely new services:
- Wide broadband, like streaming 4k and 8k videos on the go, as well as augmented and virtual reality experiences (Enhancement Mobile Broadband)
- Very low latency, like near-instant comminications between vehicles or even remote surgery (Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication)
- A very high number of connected devices including counters, sensors, industrial machines (Massive Machine Type Communication)
Source ITU
5G can use frequency spectrums on three main intervals
to offer coverage in urban and rural areas are used signals at low frequences, which are more robust to interference and absorptions with good propagation properties and penetration in indoor areas
able to offer a good compromise between capacity and coverage
able to offer a better capacity and mantain good coverage properties; moreover the need to reduce interference as much as possible have brought to the decision to use an empty ranges of spectrum.
to provide users high performance data transmission; since the have reduced propagation capacity, those frequencies are indicated for hotspot microcellular coverage.
Network infrastructure
To provide this performance, the network infrastructure changed from previous models, with the introduction of new architectural elements:
Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output)
the communication between two devices is carried out using more than one antenna for both transmission and reception of signals, with more than 8 radiant elements. This increases the reliability, quality and quantity of transmitted data.
3D Beamforming
another advantage of using multiple antennas is to be able to direct all signals (radiation lobe) towards a specific location when there is need. The network has the capability to follow the users. This allows it to constantly maximize the quality of the signal and therefore the quality of the overall service.
MEC (Multi Access Edge Computing)
5G introduces an innovative concept that allows for the processing of data and content near the edges of the network. This implies a much shorter data path and therefore faster response time. The distance to where the MEC is located depends on the latency requirement.
NFV (Network Function Virtualization)
another fundamental aspect of the 5G network is virtualization, meaning the network is not built with physical devices each with its own functions, but by a data center that hosts hundreds of sowftware machines (virtual machines). This methodology allows the infrastructure to be divided in logical portions, each of them optimized for a specific application and service. This infrastructure technique is called Network Slicing. Moreover, these virtual machines are scalable, and so it is possible to increase both the number and the performance based on user needs.
Security
security is a central theme of 5G, both in terms of encryption reinforcement techniques required by the standards as well as the new possibilities presented by the system architecture itself to process and manage services entirely within the network operator (i.e. on the MEC), thus preventing data and information from ever leaving secure physical perimeters and being exposed on public Internet network.
5G and health risks
In this section you can find more information regarding the most current scientific evidence on the impact of 5G on human health.
Learn more
Vodafone 5G Network in your city
Check out the areas where Vodafone 5G Network reaches the maximum performance and a list of the supported devices.*
*To benefit from the 5G network, you must have a 5G enabled device and contract.