5G is the 5th generation of mobile network. This technology, which relies on new frequencies, makes it possible to respond to the explosion in mobile traffic and to have more speed.
Find out all you need to know about 5G!
Almost six months after the launch of 5G in France, a first study reveals the quality of 5G connections. Mozark, a specialist who contributes in particular to surveys on the quality of the mobile networks of Arcep, the telecoms regulator, carried out a whole series of measurements in the first 9 major metropolitan areas to have been covered by the 4 networks (Nice, Paris, Clermont-Ferrand, Marseille, Montpellier, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Lens and the Hauts-de-Seine department). Without too many surprises, Orange comes first with an average speed for a 5G connection of 146 Mb / s, far ahead of SFR and Bouygues, with 80 and 78 Mb / s respectively. Free, for its part, is released with an average 5G speed of only 28 Mb / s. However, Free is the operator with the best 5G coverage, as can be seen from our map of the cities covered by the new mobile network.
3 questions about 5G
5G is the fifth generation of mobile network. 5G will use more frequencies and different frequencies than 4G. It will first of all make it possible to decongest the 4G network, which is close to saturation, and a significant increase in speed. Thanks to much higher speeds, much lower latency and the possibility of supporting a greater number of devices, 5G will also, in the long term, allow the development of uses totally different from 4G, such as telemedicine. , autonomous vehicles, or factory automation.
To have 5G, you must be in an area covered by 5G. However, from one operator to another, the deployment of 5G is not the same. And that's not all. To take advantage of 5G, you must also have a 5G package and a 5G compatible smartphone.
This is the question that everyone is asking but to which it is still impossible to give a clear answer. ANSES (National Health Security Agency) has been tasked by the government with conducting an expert appraisal on the exposure of the population to the electromagnetic fields of this technology and to any associated health effects. But, it will not deliver its conclusions and recommendations before the spring of 2021, so after the commercialization of 5G.
In the field of telecommunications, the launch of a new generation of mobile telephony is a major event. A little step back is needed to understand the interest of having a new network. In 1986, the first generation made it possible to make calls, the second to send SMS. Founded in 2004, 3G made mobile internet possible. As for 4G, which appeared in 2011, it has made it possible to develop the use of mobile Internet more quickly. What about 5G?
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first, 5G must make it possible to respond to the explosion in our data consumption. According to operators, they are increasing by 40% per year. At this rate, the 4G network will be saturated within one to two years. In 2025, in fact, one in 5 users will consume 200 GB every month. So this is the primary interest of 5G: avoiding network saturation in very dense areas, such as stations, airports or even stadiums, by providing it with oxygen thanks to new frequencies. This fall, 310 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band were auctioned off to operators (90 MHz for Orange, 80 MHz for SFR and 70 MHz each for Bouygues Telecom and Free). In addition, operators can switch to 5G the frequencies they have available for 4G, namely the 700, 800 and 900 MHz bands, as well as the 1.8, 2.1 and 2.6 GHz bands. Finally, in the coming years, but not before 2022 or 2023, the 26 GHz frequency band will also be allocated to 5G.
How is the deployment of 5G going?
The deployment of 5G is being done gradually, starting with large cities and towns, where the risk of 4G network saturation is greatest. Before spreading to less dense areas. As of June 30, 2021, according to figures from Arcep, the telecoms regulator, which is based on data transmitted by operators, there were 10,239 5G sites open commercially for Free, 2,945 for Bouygues Telecom, 1,872 for Orange and 1,751 for SFR. It is therefore Free which currently has the largest 5G network in France. By the same date, operators had activated 5G in almost all major cities and towns.
However, not all operators have activated 5G in the same places. They are free to deploy 5G where they want and at the pace they want. They must nevertheless respect certain rules. Among the obligations set by the government and by Arcep, good 5G mobile coverage for the benefit of all French people is a “major objective” for the government. Understand that operators will not only have to equip large cities but also areas with lower population density.
Another objective, quantified this one: the deployment of 3,000 5G sites in 2022, 8,000 in 2024 and 10,500 in 2025 (including 25% in low-density areas). That is two thirds of the population covered in 5G in five years. A rule that applies to each operator. As for a 100% 5G network, it is hoped for 2030.
How to get 5G?
The 5G mobile network is different from the 4G mobile network. And, you have to meet three conditions in order to be able to have 5G.
The first condition goes without saying: you must be in one of the cities covered by 5G. On the other hand, for the uninitiated, the other two conditions seem less obvious.
First of all, you have to subscribe to a new 5G compatible package, or, as Bouygues Telecom offers, keep your current package but take the 5G option. A sine qua non condition in order to be able to take advantage of the new mobile network, in addition to 4G.
Finally, the last condition is to have a 5G compatible smartphone. The story repeats itself. Indeed, it was the same in 2011 for the launch of 4G. Also, having 5G will require the purchase of a new smartphone. They are generally more expensive. It is therefore in your best interest to choose your 5G smartphone.
Should we switch from 4G to 5G?
5G is announced for November 18. But, when the first offers are marketed, will it be necessary to rush over and absolutely subscribe to a 5G package to be among the first to benefit from the new mobile?
Not necessarily, for several reasons. First of all, at first, the gains for 5G users will remain limited. Even operators recognize it: 5G will be an improved 4G. So, is it worth taking out a new plan and paying more for it for marginal gain?
Another question, which concerns 5G mobile coverage. It will take time and will primarily concern large cities. So, unless you live in an area covered by the mobile network, there is no point in getting into 5G.
Finally, the last constraint: the switch to 5G requires you to equip yourself with a 5G smartphone. However, they are all still very expensive.
Better to wait a few months. There will be more models, they will be more elaborate and probably, also, a little less expensive.
What are the benefits of 5G?
To understand the value of 5G, there are three important words to remember: throughput, latency and density.
- The flow. 5G will make it possible to obtain much faster Internet connection speeds than 4G. Ultimately, 5G will be to 4G what optical fiber is to ADSL. The speed of 5G will be up to 10 times faster than the speed of 4G. It must make it possible to reach up to 1 Gb / s of speed in reception (300 Mb / s in transmission). Obviously, this is a theoretical flow. However, operators will have to provide a minimum of 100 Mb / s to users in 5G from the start, then 240 Mb / s in 2022.
- Latency. This is the other huge benefit of 5G. Latency is the reaction time between the moment you place an order and the moment it is reflected on the screen. With 5G, it would go from 10 to 1 ms. This responsiveness is crucial for certain 5G applications. Indeed, constant and almost immediate exchanges are required to bring about new uses.
- The density. This is the last major promise of 5G. Ultra connectivity allows for a greater density of connected devices per km2. At a minimum, 5G will be able to support 1 million devices per square kilometer, or a connection density multiplied by 10. Indispensable when we know that there will be 50 billion connected objects in 2025.
However, for 5G to reach this level of performance, it will be necessary to wait until the 26 GHz band is allocated to 5G.
What will 5G be used for?
At first, "5G will be quite close to 4G", explains Jean-Paul Arzel, network director of Bouygues Telecom (read our interview). As we have said, 5G will first of all make it possible to avoid saturation of the 4G network. But, it will also allow a significant increase in flow. At the launch of 5G, operators will indeed have to guarantee users a minimum speed of 100 Mb / s. This is already much better than the average speed in 4G: 41.5 Mb / s in 2019 Even if the gains in 5G are relatively limited for users, the new mobile network will still make it possible to improve existing services for the general public. We think in particular of streaming in 4K or 8K quality, cloud gaming, or virtual reality or augmented reality.
