Is 5G being stretched before it's even properly launched?

[Anonymous]

Saw this on the Airbus channel, does make me wonder if the capabilities of 5G are being overstated.

Just like previous mobile network generations, it's all good now as the traffic on the new networks is relatively light but things tend to slow when networks are heavily loaded.

[Bambino]

@Anonymous I thought the arrival of 5G was meant to be the advent of driverless ground vehicles as well. This is obviously still many years away, so how could this be considered overstretching?

[sheepdog]

4K Cat videos will soon bring 5G to its knees 

But on a serious track, its going to depend on the volume of data per device is going be transmitted. You don't need a great deal of information transmitted for doing simple things but data compression/uncompression on hardware will be a key factor driving this otherwise the networks will get clogged up especially in congested areas. 

[Anonymous]

@Bambino 

In all previous generations there's been an access priority system in terms of subscriber access

Prepay at the bottom, Pay Monthly, Business Pay Monthly, Emergency Services/Government/Network Engineering SIMs.

You would think any traffic involved in control of vehicles would have a top priority on the network as it should and other traffic should be dumped in the event of the volume exceeding the bandwidth available on the backhaul as it's more likely that will be where any bottleneck will develop.

However what happens when the majority of traffic occupies the same priority level when you have drones, air taxis and what not flying around.

Add to this people streaming video over all kinds of devices, so it will no doubt come to a point, again where people complain about slowdown.

It's being hyped the same as previous generations but my concern is the applications are potentially dangerous if any onboard systems work in a remote control type fashion as opposed to being able to make decisions in a broken link situation.

[Bambino]

I understand what you're saying (to a degree) @Anonymous, but 5G is in its infancy, so I think it's too early to draw any conclusions. It's probably a silly (and maybe even dangerous) thing to say, but we're going to have to trust the networks and the government to sort the priorities out. Fingers crossed they get it right. 

[TallTrees]

Well as most Governments or Government personnel are not even remotely in charge par se and as all Network providers are understandably money driven
I'll keep my head down 🥴

🥺 @Anonymous @Bambino

[Anonymous]

I think the key point here is that 5G will supplement 4G, rather than replace it. Many of us will continue to enjoy a good service without having to make that upgrade, and may even benefit from less congestion as a result of having an expanded network.

It's a bit like turning a dual carriageway into a three lane motorway, but that's probably underselling it 

Edit: typo

[TallTrees]

Great I'll have that @Anonymous
and that's probably what will happen in the medium term. 😍

[Anonymous]

I'd rather they stretch it now & let cars & drones loose later!

Most of us like a bargain & don't need 5g.. so.. How about they give us a discount on using 2G, 3G & 4G only. It'd leave us with a few extra quid in our pockets & more bandwidth for those who need it.

[Bambino]

Pigs will fly before that happens @Anonymous.... or drones.