5G

5G is the fifth generation wireless technology for digital cellular networks that has begun wide deployment in 2019. Like previous standards the covered areas are divided into regions called cells, serviced by individual antennas. Virtually every major telecommunication service provider in the developed world is deploying antennas or intends to deploy them soon. The frequency spectrum of 5G is divided into millimeter waves, mid-band and low-band. Low-band uses a similar frequency range as the predecessor, 4G.

The ITU-R has defined three main uses for 5G. They are Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC). Only eMBB is deployed in 2019; URLLC and mMTC is several years away in most locations. In the UK, 5G was available on EE in May 2019, followed by Vodafone in July and O2 in October. BT Mobile and Sky Mobile launched in January 2020. Three are expected to rollout their 5G network in early 2020.