People are still talking a lot about the rollout of 5G technology around the world, and how it can affect us here in the U.S. Much debate is about the safety of using Chinese technology and how many watchdog agencies are reporting possible backdoor issues that would allow illegal spying through the technology if using Chinese-sources products.
The promise of what 5G technology can bring is fun to think about, including data speeds of up to 100 times faster than current connections that tech futurists say could support things like internet-connected sensors, vehicles, appliances, and devices that can perform functions yet unimagined. But the alarms being raised about invasion of privacy and backdoor spying are also concerning. It will be interesting to see how the technology grows for 5G over time, but for now it’s just something to watch and keep an eye on.
What is 5G?
5G is the term for fifth-generation mobile network technology. At its most basic, 5G promises much faster speeds, but it requires a lot more equipment to do that. To get 5G service requires a larger number of small towers placed much closer together. These mini 5G base stations are rolling out in high-population urban areas and may be placed on top of streetlights or on sides or rooftops of buildings every few hundred feet. For example, an area with 4G with 12 towers would have to switch to about 100 mini towers to upgrade to 5G. This is what allows the signal to be stronger and get to homes and businesses quicker for faster speeds.
Is 4G going out?
To put it bluntly – no. 4G is not going away anytime soon. In fact, even though 5G is growing, 4G still has room aplenty to grow too, says a report by the GSMA, the industry association representing mobile network operators. They are predicting that 4G adoption isn’t going to peak until 2023, when just under 60% of users worldwide will be using 4G connections.
4G LTE, the service that Softcom provides, relies upon relatively few large towers that are positioned miles apart. This is what allows us to bring stable, high-speed internet access to rural and remote regions for the most cutting-edge connection they can get.
Here at Softcom, the safety and security of our customers is always a priority, which is why we do not use equipment sources from China, but rather from industry leader Ericsson, one of the world’s leading providers of information and communication technology for service providers. Their technology and services are trusted by our nation’s top telecommunications companies and valued for their consistent success in a fully connected world.
If you are interested in learning more about 3G, 4G and 5G technology and how they can affect you, here are two articles that can provide more information:
As technologies like 5G continue to develop, we will continue to keep you up to date. You can be assured that here at Softcom we are committed to updating and adapting our network to meet the needs of our community for the best speed and connection they can get. Personal experience and commitment to our community are the foundation of our company, and expansion and improvement is a constant at Softcom. We are continually reinvesting back into the company so that we can deliver the best quality service for safe, fast and secure online access to the world and all it offers. For questions or concerns, we’re here for you at (800) 982-7675, option 1.