5G is a new technical standard for wireless networks and its arrival will transform the tech industry, exponentially increasing the download and upload speeds and also the way various devices connect with each other.  It is expected that the 5G networks will have a big impact on the Internet of Things  technology, providing the infrastructure needed to carry bigger amounts of data.

The United States, China and South Korea are expected to be some of the first nations to install full 5G networks, with others including the UK not far behind. Many companies are already busy making sure their networks and devices are 5G ready.

And the hype is for a reason: industry analysts say that the 5G technology will enable revolutionary things like creating smart cities, connecting self-driving cars and giving space to new applications in medicine, production and augmented reality environments.

Sam Benzacar, CEO of Anatech Electronics, thinks that “With the enormous amount of hype surrounding 5G, one fact cannot be disputed: marketing works. The claims may be dubious, like some companies already placing a 5G icon on the smartphone displays for products that are not 5G. A simple Google search I performed yesterday delivered 570 million results for 5G, only 227 million fewer than for 4G that has been around for years and was promoted for years before that; And 5G isn’t even here yet. So yes, marketing works and for 5G its results are truly stupendous”.

Now that 5G is actually very close to fruition, it’s making an already complex topic even more confusing.  One example of this is the current lawsuit between Spring and AT&T over deceptive advertising.

So what is the current status of 5G? “The first stage began in October 2018, with the fixed wireless access Verizon rolled out in Sacramento and three other cities, making it the first actual 5G deployment. Mobile 5G has started making appearances in the United States this year, with much more comprehensive rollouts expected in 2020,” says Benzacar.

Before we can all use it, wireless companies and phone makers have to upgrade. Phones need new chips and radio antennas. The phones we have today will not work with a 5G network.

“Our current smartphones will not be able to connect to the new network, we will need a 5G-enabled phone. The first ones will be available in a few months and all will be Android phones, as Apple always waits until the technology is fully cooked before offering it, so don’t expect a 5G iPhone until 2020,” says Benzacar.

Benzacar adds that “Of course, there is a cost involved, as 5G phones will most likely be more expensive than the current ones. But we will be able to continue using our 4G phones, just not at 5G speeds.”

“The shift to 5G sees a lot of hype, but it has a serious purpose, being a necessity if we want to continue using mobile broadband. Data carriers are running out of broadband capacity in many cities. In some metropolitan areas, users are already seeing decreases in speed during the busiest times of day. 5G can solve this challenge, by adding important amounts of band spectrum,” concludes Benzacar.

Anatech Electronics is a privately-held, ISO 9001:2008-certified company founded in 1990, that specializes in the design and manufacture of radio-frequency (RF) and microwave filters. Anatech Electronics’ products are used in a broad array of applications, such as:  wireless communication systems, defense electronic systems (electronic warfare, electronic countermeasures, radar, and communications), industrial systems, medical systems, scientific instruments, GPS navigation systems and more.

The aerospace and defense industry is one of Anatech Electronics’ primary markets, and it has developed the capabilities, facilities, and quality control procedures required by defense customers.   In addition to manufacturing filters and other MIL-standards products, Anatech Electronics provides a range of services for defense contractors and the government designed to solve extremely complex interference problems within existing systems. With 20 years of experience in designing and manufacturing radio frequency and microwave filters, there are few interference challenges that Anatech Electronics has not faced and satisfactorily solved.

Anatech Electronics specializes in the design and manufacture of radio frequency and microwave filters that are used in a broad array of applications, such as:  wireless communication systems, defense electronic systems (electronic warfare, electronic countermeasures, radar, and communications), industrial systems, medical systems, scientific instruments and other systems, satellite communications terminals, point-to-point microwave links and many others.

To learn more visit the company’s website at https://www.anatechelectronics.com