5G mobile broadband to satisfy increased demand for data
Ofcom has announced plans for 5G mobile broadband services to avoid a 'capacity crunch'.
Data usage is on the rise and demand could be 80 times greater by 2030, according to Ofcom. The regulator if making plans to release extra spectrum for 5G mobile broadband to avoid a 'capacity crunch'. See also: 4G vs 3G network hands-on speed test.
Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom, said: "Within the coming months we will hold the UK’s largest-ever auction of mobile spectrum for 4G. However, that may not be enough to meet consumers’ future data demands, which is why we are already making significant efforts to prepare to go beyond 4G."
"Our plans are designed to avoid a ‘capacity crunch’, ensuring that the UK’s mobile infrastructure can continue to support the inescapable growth in consumer demand and economic growth more generally."
What is 4G? A complete guide to 4G.
Mobile broadband users are consuming twice as much data compared with last year, and this will no doubt increase with the introduction of faster 4G.
It's the 700MHz spectrum which Ofcom plans to free up for potential 5G services. It's currently being used for digital terrestrial TV but could be migrated to 600MHz without the need for a digital switchover.
The plan is to harmonise the spectrum used Europe and the rest of the world. Ofcom said an international spectrum plan is unlikely to be completed before 2018. This should help availability of handsets and make prices lower for consumers.
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Comments
hostile_17 said: Heresy
Poexdavis said: BURN
Matt Egan said: With regard to your PS although I agree that is very much a question of style and not correct or incorrect usage
hostile_17 said: Despite banging the term capacity crunch into the article three times in four paragraphs nowhere do I see anything about capacity from Ofcom They bandy about 5G like its a number beyond 4G but it doesnt solve the issues of capacityPS you dont use quote marks at the end of a sentence if the quote is continued in the second sentence
Thebian said: Technically 3G 4G and 5G are just branding for parts of the spectrum and technology used to access that You could say current Freeview is technically 5G and old analoge TV is 4G which is why they had to phase the old TV out and force everyone to switch over before introducing 4G internetMy current GiffGaff 3G phone is notably faster than the 4G EE I tested in stores so clearly there are backbone issues here anyway Also the lag with 4G is currently terrible
callumb9999 said: In what way is at least 6 years soon Obviously there are no handsets released or announced that support 5G
Bitmantra said: Wow Now 5G going to launch soon I am really excited to know more details ASAP May I know which devices it will support