Cardiff named as one of the first 5G cities in the UK

All three major networks, EE, Vodafone and O2 have announced that Cardiff is among the list of UK cities that will have 5G rolled out during 2019. In late 2018, Vodafone announced they had conducted the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G technology. The speed of 5G will enable individuals to use applications such as remote robotic surgery and 4K gaming while on the move. These leading network providers will be rolling out 5G to a short list of the UK’s largest cities throughout 2019. Vodafone has announced it has the aim of rolling 1,000 5G sites across the UK by 2020.

This initiative will help drive the economy in Wales forward. With heightened connectivity between cities and regions and improved communications with nations all over the globe, Wales can harness the creativity and productivity of a new generation of workers.

So why is everyone so excited about the new 5G?

In the 1980’s the first-generation technology made it possible for people to communicate via a cell phone. Today, most consumers use 3G or 4G/LTE networks, but this new generation of wireless technology will bring faster, more reliable cellular and internet connections.

The projected benefits of 5G:

• Increased connectivity: This means that more people and more devices can be communicating at the same time.
• Faster speed: Data transfer will be 10x faster than 4G. Downloading a high definition movie might take roughly 10minutes in 4G/LTE, this would take less than a second in 5G.
• Shorter delays: 5G will reduce any latency that users may experience on 4G/LTE, it can make it possible to watch high-speed virtual reality videos with no delays.

For more information you can read our previous blog on the advancements of this upcoming technology here: 5G: The advancements and advantages of an upcoming technology