PBPA Board member Ed Auble spoke at the December 14th board meeting about the arrival of the 5G network.
What exactly is 5G? From Wikipedia: “5G is the fifth generation wireless technology for digital cellular networks that began wide deployment in 2019.”
Ericsson, a leading provider of Information and Communication Technology to service providers, expands on the explanation further:
The world’s connectivity needs are changing. Global mobile data traffic is expected to multiply by 5 before the end of 2024. Particularly in dense urban areas, the current 4G networks simply won’t be able to keep up.
That’s where a new G comes into play. With 5G commercial networks being switched on, the first use cases are enhanced mobile broadband, which will bring better experiences for smartphone users, and fixed wireless access, providing fiber speeds without fiber to homes. 5G smartphones will be available in beginning of 2019.
Being able to download a full-length HD movie in seconds and share your wow-moments with friends – that’s just the beginning. The true value of 5G is the opportunity it presents for people, business and the world at large: industries, regions, towns and cities that are more connected, smarter and more sustainable.
It’s allowing industries to reinvent themselves. It affects you. And it’s starting now.
Mr. Auble reported that 5G will be instituted within the next 2 years in our area. East Whiteland has already started to install towers. Towers will be 10 to 14 ft high with transmitters . They will have to be erected in the communities with no obstructions, 800 to 1000 feet apart. ATT, Verizon, T Mobile and Sprint are all trying to obtain the contract.
For more information relative to the Paoli area, you can view the Transportation Management Association of Chester County’s video presentation from its fall 2019 meeting.