5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks. Previously, the 1G network was used in the first mobile phones, which only allowed talking. 2G technology, in turn, introduced SMS (Short Message Service), and gradually the smartphone became an increasingly extensive communication tool. With 3G, the Internet was built into cell phones. Finally, broadband (4G) brought video playback in real time (streaming).
The first Brazilian city to receive 5G arrived in Brasília in July last year. Gradually, all capitals acquired the signal, with the last capitals in October 2022. At the beginning of this year, finally, on January 30, 2023, Claro announced its first expansion of 5G coverage for cities other than capitals. The operator announced the start of the fifth generation network in 38 new municipalities in 10 Brazilian states. According to Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency), 1610 cities will have the 5G range released by the end of the first half of this year. So far, 140 municipalities have had the release.
According to Anatel, the focus of 5G is not only on increasing transmission rates, but also on specifying services that allow different applications to be met. In November 2021, Anatel carried out the 5G spectrum auction in Brazil for this new technology and, in July 2022, there were already more than 3 million 5G lines in the country, as opposed to 4G, which took almost 3 years to reach same number of users in the country.
For Roberto Mario Lazcano Gomez, executive in the area of Telecommunications and IT, unlike previous technologies such as 3G and 4G, the adoption of 5G technology in Brazil is being much faster than the previous ones. He says that the next step is to move forward with the deployment of 5G in cities with more than 500,000 inhabitants, which should be the focus in 2023. “The implementation of 5G opens up a series of opportunities for advances in autonomous vehicles, automation of the manufacturing, telemedicine and virtual reality”.
The advantages of 5G
According to Anatel, the increase in transmission rates (greater speed), the low latency (reduction in the time between the stimulus and the response of the telecommunications network) and the greater density of connections (increase in the number of devices connected in a given area ) are some expected advances for 5G compared to 4G.
5G has the advantage of being able to deliver more than 100 times the capacity of 4G, which means greater performance for the user, says Roberto Mario. He claims that he will no longer have the problem of intermittent pages or information loading, as the fifth generation offers a more efficient technology to access the Internet. “In terms of downloading, for example, movies and videos, the time will be in seconds, while in 4G it was minutes”.
Among other improvements are greater spectral efficiency (increase in the amount of data transmitted per unit of electromagnetic spectrum) and greater energy efficiency of equipment (reduction in energy consumption, with a consequent increase in sustainability). Gomez says that all technologies have some disadvantages, and in relation to 5G, one can mention the limited coverage and low transmission capacity when compared to what 4G technology offers in this regard.
4G technology has difficulties in handling many devices connected at the same time, such as sporting events and concerts, Gomez explains that 4G is designed to support a maximum of 2000 devices per square kilometer, while 5G is designed to handle 1 million devices in this same coverage area. “This will automatically be reflected in a better experience for users. In addition to offering various types of connectivity, depending on the connected device”, he points out.
In 4G, the connection to all devices was “the same measure”. 5G, on the other hand, offers “customized” connections in terms of speed and performance. Gomez speaks cites as an example the connection with a Smart Watch. “On the level of speed it will be different. The connection with an industry device to manage production chains in real time”, explains the executive.
5G technology presents itself as a great monetization opportunity for mobile operators, as it drives new technologies in the consumer area, such as online games, fixed wireless access, new immersive experiences for users.
According to data from January by Anatel, TIM is the operator with the largest number of stations licensed in the 3.5 GHz frequency, which works with 5G, with 3,715 antennas throughout Brazil. Vivo appears next, with 1,867 points, while Claro has 1,526 antennas. “Mobile operators should consider these digital service use cases to differentiate their 5G offering,” concludes Gomez.
