What is 5G?

If you’re in the UK, you’re probably using a mobile phone with 4G internet – or 3G, if you’re in the sticks. Simply put, 5G is the name for the next big leap in mobile connectivity. More formally, the standard will be called 5G NR (Near Radio). This is just the way that the Long-Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) standard is now marketed as 4G.

Currently, numerous phone networks, device suppliers and governments around the world are hard at work trying to figure out a good way to deliver next-generation mobile internet.

In fact, analysts at IHS Markit believe that 5G will have created $12 trillion USD worth of value across global industry – that’s equivalent to consumer spending in the USA in 2016.

“We think that 5G will have an impact far beyond [3G],” said Ben Timmons, Senior Director, Business Development of Qualcomm Europe. “It’s not going to be about personal communication anymore. It’s much more of a transformational technology that will have a huge impact on an enormous range of industries.”

Qualcomm is one of the main players in the development and deployment of the technology. Its successor to the new-gen SoC will come fitted with the 5G-capable X50 modem; the American semiconductor giant having already successfully completed pre-commercial 5G trials.