DEMYSTIFYING 5G | WHAT IS IT?

In the simplest terms, 5G is the fifth (5) generation (G) of wireless protocol.

Wireless has evolved significantly since it became generally accessible in the 1980s. Progressing from 1G (first generation) in the early 80s with analog cellular and those large, portable phones to 2G digital cellular and 3G mobile broadband in the 1990s and 2000s. In 2009, 4G and smartphones arrived with IP (internet protocol) networks and kicked off the mobile internet era we are in today. 5G is the next step, bringing data speeds up to 1 gigabit per second while also significantly reducing the time it takes to transmit data.

With 5G, we're also entering a new phase when it comes to the Internet of Things. The Internet of Things, or IoT, is made up of all of the devices on a network, connecting and interacting with one another through data. It is currently estimated that there are roughly 100,000 devices per square mile that are connected, interacting every day. That is expected to increase to over 1.5 million devices for every square mile by 2025.

What does this mean for us personally and our cell phones? And what does it mean for our companies and how we communicate?

This is the first post in a series about 5G. Future posts will discuss benefits, risks, the potential uses for different markets and how to prepare your business for 5G. Please follow and share so you don’t miss any posts!

---

For more information on how ERMCO can help with an integrated systems solution, contact:

PJ DONOVAN | 317.538.5511 | pdonovan@ermco.com

PJ Donovan is the Business Development Manager for ERMCO’s Systems Group. She’s been with ERMCO for 10 years and has been in the Systems Group the entire time, as a Systems Coordinator and then Systems Estimator. Now she helps maintain and grow client relationships and serves as one of ERMCO’s experts on all things systems-related from A/V and access control to security and wireless systems.