Ever since 5G was first introduced in 2019, the proliferation of this technology speaks for itself. At the end of 2024, some two billion people worldwide rely on 5G connections for their cellular network technology. That number is expected to nearly quadruple to 7.7 billion by 2028.
By definition, “5G” refers to the fifth generation of mobile network technology. Following pioneering work by IEEE to standardize this technology via the IEEE 802 Series, 5G is based on a set of standards promulgated by many different telecommunications companies and represents an advancement from the previous fourth-generation (“4G”) technology, which was introduced in the late 2000s-early 2010s. Building upon the ease with which 4G enabled streaming and browsing, 5G technology is 100 times faster, offers less delay, is more reliable, and can support millions of devices at once. For users, this equates to such benefits as near instantaneous movie downloads, more uniform augmented reality, and the real-time IoT connections required to support smart homes, self-driving cars, and smart city infrastructure – all developments that weren’t possible with 4G technology.
Impact of 5G Technology
The introduction of 5G technology has had a tremendous impact on many industries.
In the healthcare field, for example, 5G has increased access to telemedicine, enhanced the effectiveness and precision of remote surgery, and driven the growth of wearable health devices that monitor patients’ vital signs and share real-time data with physicians, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment.
In the emerging market for autonomous vehicles, 5G connectivity allows self-driving cars to make quicker decisions, avoid accidents, and optimize traffic flow, while 5G’s ability to support real-time traffic monitoring and electricity and water system management creates a platform for efficient smart city operations. And in the world of entertainment, users can live-stream events quicker and have a more interactive experience than ever, while gamers can access high quality games from the cloud for the first time and enjoy new gaming experiences anywhere, anytime without the need for complex hardware.
Globally, the U.S. has taken a leadership role in deploying fifth-generation networks by major wireless carriers to the point where over 75% of American subscribers can now access 5G. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal in 2021, the federal government also pledged to invest an additional $65 billion to improve broadband and 5G service in rural communities.
In Europe, over 90% of British premises currently have access to 5G coverage, while Germany, which possesses one of the most developed 5G networks on that continent, achieved coverage of 92% by mid-2024 and continues to expand access. Asia, China and South Korea are among the countries that have most aggressively integrated 5G heavily into their manufacturing operations and society, and access to 5G continues to grow throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Latin American region.
What Challenges Are Associated with 5G Technology?
While 5G continues to deliver unprecedented benefits and expand in use, the technology has also experienced its share of challenges. Among them, the costs to build 5G networks are extensive and regulatory differences between the U.S. and European Union have impaired their ability to fully collaborate on 5G deployment. In addition, the growing number of connected devices associated with the rise of 5G networks has introduced security issues and increased the risk of cyberattacks.
Despite these hurdles, however, the industry continues to move forward at a rapid pace as it perfects the current generation of technology and envisions the next one.
The upcoming emergence of “6G” connectivity promises a new paradigm in cellular technology, running an estimated 9,000 times faster than 5G connections and enabling users to, for example, download more than 20 movies per second. While experts note that 6G mobile networks remain at least five years away, the global telecommunications industry has been hard at work laying the foundations for this platform upgrade by entering what’s known as a “pre-standardization” phase to achieve consensus on preliminary 6G standards.
IEEE Helps You Stay One Step Ahead of 5G Developments
Designed to help technical professionals and industry leaders deliver on the 5G vision and meet consumer demand for higher communication speeds, these targeted course programs help you stay on top of the fast-paced field of 5G.
- 5G Networks
In this cutting-edge course program (produced in cooperation with Nokia), professionals interested in 5G deployment will receive an in-depth view of 5G performance requirements and standards, system components, future scenarios, and the roadmap to implementation. Discover this course program on the IEEE Learning Network (ILN) or for institutional access, contact an IEEE Content Specialist today! - Bridging the 4G/5G Gap: Telecommunications Roadmap for Implementation
This two-part course program covers the effects cellular networks have on society and commerce, what’s needed to integrate 5G infrastructure in a 3G/4G world, and more. Learners will better understand regulatory considerations of 5G as well as wireless technology’s impact on property values and human health and ways of deploying wireless infrastructure that minimize legal and ethical risks. Discover this course program on ILN or if you’re interested in obtaining institutional access, contact an IEEE Content Specialist today! - 5G/6G Essential Protocols and Procedures Training and Innovation Testbed (powered by IEEE and Wray Castle)
This specialized new training offers a deep dive into essential 5G protocols, with a specific focus on the 5G Network Function (NF) Framework, registration processes, and Packet Data Unit (PDU) session establishment. The course also features access to the IEEE 5G/6G Innovation Testbed, a cloud-based, private, secure, end-to-end 5G network testing platform. Ideal for system engineers and integrators, public and private mobile network operators, test equipment vendors, handset manufacturers, regulators, integrators, and more, this self-paced, on-demand course ably supports engineers who want to better understand the protocols and procedures required to set up and manage telecommunications systems. Learn more and request a demo today!
Resources
Global 5G Connections Reach Nearly Two Billion. 5G Americas.
Biegajewski, Maciej. (19 September 2024.) The State of 5G Deployment Around the World (2024). RFBenchmark.
Prunwar, Kwity. (7 January 2025). What Is 5G and How Will It Change the World? Scientify.
Loeffler, John. (5 February 2022). What is 5G Technology and How Will it Transform Our Lives? Interesting Engineering.
(16 January 2025). What are the Latest Developments on 6G? Thales.
(15 April 2025). Nations Report 2024. Ofcom.
Bundesnetzagentur Extends Mobile Communications Map to Include High-Performance 5G Standalone. Bundesnetzagentur 2025.
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