What Home and Business Owners Need to Know Before Ordering 5G Service

After years of talking about 5G, the new mobile networking standard is about to become a reality for consumers and business owners alike. Verizon has already launched its fixed line 5G service in four cities, while AT&T is set to deploy 5G services to 12 cities by the end of 2018.

While 5G won’t be widespread until 2020 at the earliest, many are already gearing up to welcome this next-generation wireless technology into their homes and businesses. Before you order 5G from one of the major carriers, here are a few things that you should know:

Your Current Phone Won’t Support 5G

5G mobile services offer superior speeds and lower latency (i.e., faster download times) compared to 4G smartphones. This is because 5G signals tap into high frequency radio signals which allows people to send and receive enormous amounts of data.

What this means is your 4G smartphone won’t be able to support 5G capabilities. If you’re a business owner ordering 5G services, be prepared to get new 5G smartphones for everyone at the office.

There is good news: While the 5G smartphones could be expensive, your home internet service may be cheaper than you think. This is because 5G will be putting the pressure on cable providers and offering lower prices to encourage people to cut the cord.

For example, Verizon’s home broadband service is currently $50 per month for existing Verizon customers. They’re also sweetening the deal by throwing in a free Apple TV or Google Chromecast to encourage people to cut the cord.

Be Prepared for Early Problems

With any new technology, there are going to be a few kinks to work out. 5G connectivity is a massive undertaking and carriers are racing to be the first ones to offer the newest generation of mobile technology to consumers and business owners.

But first, engineers are working on 5G innovations to solve some of the biggest mobile network challenges ahead. This includes designing hardware at millimeter waves on the radio frequency spectrum, which will require innovations in electronic components and electronic enclosures.

In other words, don’t get too hyped over 5G just yet. The service will get better in time, but you’ll need to be patient while they solve current issues and fix problems as it rolls out.

The good news is that companies offering 5G have already anticipated this and may offer early adopters a few freebies to ease the pain. So far, Verizon is already offering free hardware upgrades for the first year, and other carriers are likely to follow suit.

Business Owners Have Much to Gain from 5G

Business owners could be the big winners of 5G services. Faster speeds, improved reliability and lower latency can only result in better efficiency at the workplace.

5G services can significantly improve the logistics of business operations. From better product tracking to greater reliability in cloud storage, the possibilities for business owners are endless with the latest mobile technology.

In every industry, 5G’s interconnectivity of smart devices has the potential to change everything. Devices can relay data at lightning-fast speeds, paving the way for new software platforms using AI to offer unbeatable services to customers.

In short, faster and more reliable data will improve businesses across every industry. While business owners may not see a significant impact in the early adoption of 5G, this mobile technology is likely to reap enormous benefits in the future.

5G Could Boost the Value of Your Home

There is a lot of talk going around on how 5G can potentially boost home value. 5G is set to boost the adoption of smart home living because it can now connect and relay data to different devices with super-fast speeds.

While no one can say for certain that 5G will boost the value of your home, it is an appealing feature for many homebuyers and may lead to a quicker sale. Smart home technology can offer safety, security and convenience to future homebuyers who are comfortable with smart technology.

5G may take some time to fully roll out—especially in rural areas. Homes that are already set up with the necessary infrastructure needed for 5G will be attractive to tech-savvy homebuyers.

Your Neighbors Could Have Mixed Feelings

Getting 5G will undoubtedly benefit you, but your neighbors might take issue with the many antennas that will need to be installed to achieve super-fast speeds. Not only do some neighbors view the equipment as an eyesore, some have health concerns over the new cell phone equipment.

On the bright side, your neighbors may experience less Wi-Fi interference. 5G uses a new technology called beamforming, which helps transmit data using the most efficient route possible. This means less congestion in radio signals and fewer dropped connections.

Infrastructure Is Key to Achieving 5G Connectivity

If you live in a rural area, you’ll need to wait much longer for 5G compared to big cities. 5G doesn’t operate using big cell towers; instead, it requires thousands of small cells and other 5G network equipment to achieve its impressive capabilities.

Networks are working to build this infrastructure quickly, but it will only be available in urban areas at first. If you live in the suburbs, it will most likely be years before you achieve the same 5G capabilities.

Many carriers will have a way to check if your home is “5G-ready.” While most carriers won’t install 5G equipment in a home that doesn’t pass the test, it’s best to wait for the infrastructure to reach you before jumping on 5G.

Final Thoughts

The race to 5G connectivity has begun and carriers are scrambling to offer the latest mobile technology to end users. While 5G does face a few challenges, homeowners and business owners have much to gain from the latest in mobile technology.

If you want to get in on 5G, be prepared for a slow start. Although trials are currently underway, the first few years of 5G will be a bumpy transition for early adopters. Still, you likely won’t regret jumping in early on this revolutionary technology.