Verizon and AT&T are set to begin testing 5G in the USA, heralding more significant transformation than previous versions.
Both Optus and Telstra are also budgeting for the launch of 5G in Australia despite the fact that both Companies are still looking for a return from their 4G Networks.
The latest US 5G version is expected to accelerate adoption of the Internet of Things, including smart homes, driverless cars, surgical robots and more. According to one estimate, the number of connected “things” could more than double to 50 billion globally by 2020 – and reach 500 billion 10 years after that.
The 5G rollout represents the biggest expansion of the Internet to date and has the potential to generate billions of dollars of business for the likes of Cisco, Nokia, Ericsson, Qualcomm and Intel. All are vying to build the nuts and bolts of the new networks.
“Five-G is not about another G with super-fast Internet,” says Ericsson CEO Hans Vestberg. “5G is about beyond smartphones and tablets. We think 5G could provide an excellent opportunity to transform our world.”
