5G is one of the buzzwords at this year’s CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas Jan. 9–12. The promises are big behind the fifth-generation wireless technology that is expected to make smartphones and other devices ultrafast.
5G is to be 100 times faster and five times more responsive than 4G and 4G LTE systems, the technology currently being used. For example, you’ll be able to stream high-res VR content without any lag time. The super speeds will help make smart-home technology and interconnected digital devices more efficient.
AT&T has announced that it will roll out 5G networks in a dozen U.S. cities by the end of the year and to 82 more markets by mid-2019. Verizon says it will have 5G networks in a handful of cities by year’s end as well—first with Sacramento this year.
“5G’s promise of greater speed and overall network performance brings huge opportunities not only for video but in the internet of things, 4K video, augmented and virtual reality, smart homes and cities, autonomous vehicles, and much more,” says John Donovan, chief strategy officer and group president of technology and operations at AT&T.
But there may be some caveats when it comes to 5G, such as you may have to pay more to use it and you may even need a new phone to accommodate it, analysts note.
Nevertheless, tech companies are investing as much as $275 billion over the next seven years to build out 5G networks, according to a report from Accenture, a consulting firm.
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey for REALTOR® Magazine
