What is 5G?

Each mobile generation has brought a leap in capability, from voice calls on 1G to mobile internet on 3G and fast broadband on 4G. 5G began commercial rollout in 2019 and can reach peak speeds of several gigabits per second under ideal conditions. It uses a wider range of radio frequencies, including high-frequency millimetre waves that carry huge amounts of data over short distances. Latency, the delay before data starts moving, can drop to just a few milliseconds, which helps applications such as remote control of machines. 5G is also designed to connect up to around one million devices per square kilometre, supporting the growing Internet of Things.