5G has taken off, with more and more carriers around the world upgrading their networks to offer the next generation mobile network. But adoption has been slow. Part of the problem is the hidden infrastructure costs associated with 5G.
Non-cellular 5G aims to eliminate these costs and make 5G more affordable.
Before we dive into non-cellular 5G, let’s understand how 5G works and see the problems that have plagued it.
What is 5G and how does it work?
5G is the fifth generation mobile network that is set to revolutionize the field of communications. It is not only the fastest cellular network, but also the most responsive and has the highest bandwidth. These qualities make 5G a huge breakthrough in the cellular network with the potential to change the way we communicate.
5G is the next step from 4G. But unlike the old 1G, 2G, and 3G networks, 5G doesn’t make 4G obsolete.
The problem of infrastructure development was the biggest obstacle to mass adoption of previous generation networks. For example, 4G has been around since 2010, but it didn’t reach the consumer until years later. The reason for this delay is the incompatibility of 4G with the 3G network infrastructure.
Things work a little differently in the case of 5G because it doesn’t need to revamp the 4G infrastructure from the ground up. 5G devices, for example, take advantage of the 4G network to establish a connection. Therefore, the transition from 4G to 5G was relatively quick, although it will take some time before carriers can cover a large area of land.
How does 5G work?
5G uses a spectrum of radio frequencies or air waves to transmit data. The frequencies 5G uses can range anywhere from 2GHz to 100GHz. The increasing range of airwaves gives carriers plenty of options when it comes to operating a 5G network.
Based on the frequency of the airwave used by the network, we can divide 5G into three types:
- Low band 5G network It uses sub 2 GHz radio frequencies. These low frequency channels are great for long distances. This is why carriers use these channels for 4G. However, the speed is not impressive because low band 5G has to share these channels with 4G. So, if you are using a low band 5G network on your phone, you will not notice any real advantage in speed compared to 4G technology.
- Mid-band 5G It uses high frequency airwaves between 2 and 10 GHz. Most 5G networks are mid-range because these channels offer acceptable range and speed.
- Hi Band Or millimeter wave (mmWave) is the fastest 5G network but has the shortest range. Band defect is a big problem because to cover a large enough area with mmWave 5G you need a lot of hotspots. The demand for infrastructure is why mmWave is the least used type of 5G. For example, in the US, Verizon only offers mmWave 5G.
To sum it all up, 5G comes in three flavors. While low range has the highest range, mmWave is the fastest. The mid range is the perfect balance of range and speed.
The 5G standard aims to make communications faster, more widespread, and instantaneous. However, improving mobile networks is only one side of the story. If 5G is implemented as envisioned, it could lead to the revolution of the Internet of Things (IoT). But for this revolution to happen, 5G technology must become mainstream not only for the general public but also for businesses.
This is the place 5G non-cellular Enter.
What is 5G non-cellular technology and can it revolutionize the internet?
As we just saw, the 5G cellular network needs a lot of infrastructure to deliver on its promises. For a company, this is a huge bottleneck for two reasons.
First, if the entire company relies on a 5G cellular network, their workflow could be disrupted if the 5G hotspot they’re using goes down.
To understand this, let’s look at an example of an assembly line with robot workers. Because of 5G and its near-instant response time, robots on the assembly line can communicate with each other to track the assembly process.
Now, if the cell tower/hotspot goes out, all connected entities, including bots, will stop, and the process will stop.
Second, the infrastructure needed to power the IoT revolution is very high. This is why most objects that can be connected will never be connected. For example, the dream of self-driving cars would remain a dream if there were no cheaper and readily available way for cars to communicate with each other.
Non-cellular fifth generation addresses these two problems. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R) has recognized the world’s first non-cellular standard for 5G networks. It is now part of the 5G standard. The standard aims to make 5G accessible to every enterprise, regardless of size.
The 5G non-cellular network has the following advantages over 5G cellular technology:
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First, there is no need for an infrastructure because the devices in the network act as gestures and routers.
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There is no single point of failure because all connected devices act as routers. Therefore, if one of them fails, another device replaces it.
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Each enterprise can operate its own local 5G network for the Internet of Things, removing middlemen from the picture.
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Free international frequency, no need to obtain a license to operate your own 5G network. This significantly reduces the cost of the operation.
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Almost the same network capabilities as the 5G cellular network.
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10 times cheaper than 5G cellular network.
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Environmentally friendly, as the non-cellular 5G network has the lowest carbon footprint.
Simply put, non-cellular 5G removes the need for a network of dedicated base stations/hotspots for the 5G network to function. With non-cellular 5G, any company can build and manage a 5G network without any interference from carriers or intermediaries. All this makes non-cellular 5G the key to the IoT revolution we discussed in the previous section.
Jussi Numminen, Vice President of DECT Technical Committee ETSI and Head of RF at Wirepas, She said:
There is a lot of talk about private networks, but this is the first 5G technology that can support the operation of shared spectrum and multiple local networks at the frequencies of mobile systems. We consider this a prerequisite for massive digitization for all. With the new standard, you get instant access to a free, internationally assigned 1.9GHz frequency. It’s a perfect match for the massive Internet of Things.
Furthermore, Teppo Hemiä, CEO of WirepassThe main contributor to the new non-cellular 5G standard said:
The new 5G IoT standard has been the missing piece in the widespread adoption of the Internet of Things. Today we know that only 5% of the things that will be connected are connected to each other. To connect the remaining 95%, we need to let go of how things were done in the past and dare to go a different path. We see this new standard as the beginning of a new era of communication.
5G Non-Cellular vs. 5G: The Revolution Is Coming
The non-cellular 5G network solves the major problems preventing the 5G cellular network from revolutionizing the Internet of Things. It is cheap, accessible and can be run without any middlemen or carriers.
In simple words, 5G non-cellular networks have been democratized, and we are here for it.
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