TechPhonesSo where’s the promised 5G revolution?Jon Bentley is disappointed that 5G hasn’t transformed the way we live – but he hasn’t given up hope just yetWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechPhonesSo where’s the promised 5G revolution?Jon Bentley is disappointed that 5G hasn’t transformed the way we live – but he hasn’t given up hope just yetWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Jon Bentley is disappointed that 5G hasn’t transformed the way we live – but he hasn’t given up hope just yet
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
When 5G was launched in Britain five years ago, it was hailed as a revolutionary technology that would transform our lives. Although, on the face of it, the technology didn’t differ in principle from its predecessors – using radio waves to transmit data – the figures representing the bandwidth, latency and upload and download speeds were spectacularly improved. To take just one example, 4G supports 2,000 connections per square kilometre but 5G a million.
All manner of exciting applications were enthusiastically predicted. I particularly liked the automotive ones. Cars would routinely communicate with each other. You’d be able to see through the car or truck ahead, seamlessly connecting to its on-board camera to enjoy a safety-enhancing view of hazards in your path, projected onto your windscreen.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
I don’t think this is primarily the result of public objections. Though people are understandably upset when a 100-foot mast obscures their kitchen view, many of the masts are smaller and planning permission isn’t required if they’re no more than 6 metres higher than the building they’re mounted on, outside conservation areas.
It’s tempting to blame a shortage of skills and equipment, in particular kit fromHuawei, which is banned in the UK. But I don’t think this argument holds up. 5G is only a little more advanced in countries like Germany that haven’t banned Huawei devices from their infrastructure and have a more highly trained workforce.
I’m afraid the problem is purely economic. There’s not enough proven applications to take advantage of the capacity and, until the capacity is there, there’s no incentive to develop them.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
I have been trying out a connected car dashcam recently. The idea is that it acts as a sort of Ring camera for your car, alerting you to suspicious activity, location tracking and theft alerts. To work quickly, reliably and effectively, it would need a strong 5G signal. But it only works on 4G and you’re usually struggling for sufficient data and low latency. With blanket 5G coverage, the system would work well, but without it, it’s frustrating.
If ever a technology needed that killer app, whether in software or hardware form, it’s 5G. It’s crying out for an iTunes, a YouTube or a Boeing 747. It may be taking much longer than originally anticipated but the 5G revolution is one I’d still very much like to see happen.
This case turns your iPhone or Android phone into an e-reader, but there’s a catchActually, there are a couple…
Actually, there are a couple…
Traeger’s new Woodridge pellet barbecues have got me excited for grilling seasonTraeger debuts three new wood pellet grills
Traeger debuts three new wood pellet grills
I’ve glimpsed the future and it might just workAfter pondering what the next big thing in tech could be, Jon Bentley had a conversation that gave him a bright idea
After pondering what the next big thing in tech could be, Jon Bentley had a conversation that gave him a bright idea
When it comes to a new PC, I’m in no rush to upgradeRemembering what’s happened in the past, Jon Bentley is happy to play the waiting game for a computer upgrade
Remembering what’s happened in the past, Jon Bentley is happy to play the waiting game for a computer upgrade
That’s the way the internet cookies will crumbleGiven third-party cookies are facing the crunch, Jon Bentley offers a taste of what online brands are cooking up instead
Given third-party cookies are facing the crunch, Jon Bentley offers a taste of what online brands are cooking up instead
What can I do to secure my pocket info?Are we carrying too much of our financial lives around with us? If so, asks Jon Bentley, what can we do to make ourselves less vulnerable?
Are we carrying too much of our financial lives around with us? If so, asks Jon Bentley, what can we do to make ourselves less vulnerable?
No more broadband haggles pleaseJon Bentley is increasingly frustrated at having to beg internet providers not to keep upping his bills
Jon Bentley is increasingly frustrated at having to beg internet providers not to keep upping his bills
5G in-flight: EU scraps the need for Airplane Mode from 2023If you’re flying in Europe next year, you won’t need to switch to Airplane Mode for takeoff
If you’re flying in Europe next year, you won’t need to switch to Airplane Mode for takeoff
Google Pixel 7 review: yet another smartphone success storyThe Google Pixel 7 has just about everything you could want from a smartphone in 2022 - and it’s reasonably priced too
The Google Pixel 7 has just about everything you could want from a smartphone in 2022 - and it’s reasonably priced too
3 reasons mobile gamers will love the OnePlus 10TThe OnePlus 10T is a performance-focused flagship smartphone that will be particularly well suited to gamers
The OnePlus 10T is a performance-focused flagship smartphone that will be particularly well suited to gamers
