5G is the fifth generation of mobile network standard, proceeding the 4G standard. 5G promises to deliver lower latency, higher reliability, faster data speeds and a significantly larger number of connected devices/high connection density.
5G was initially associated with the IMT-2020 standard as released by The International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The standard defines a set of key technical minimum performance requirements.
5G is a complex topic as the standard includes a large number of different ideas and technologies. At a higher level 5G can be summarized by the popular 5G Triangle from the M.2083 Recommendation by ITU. The triangle shows the three main characteristics of 5G as the corners, with different uses inside the triangle.
The three primary characteristics of 5G are:
- Enhanced Mobile Broadband: Faster data transmission speeds,
- Massive Machine-Type Communications: Support for a large number of connected devices
- Ultra-reliable and Low Latency: Low latency and ultra-reliability for mission critical applications