The Rise of 5G: When Will It Become Universally Available?

For those with the latest smartphones, 5G would be something that you’ve already been lucky enough to experience. However, those without the most up-to-date technology may be left feeling frustrated in certain situations where the service level is low. In a world where over 50% of all internet traffic is conducted on mobile devices, wireless technology has never been more important.  

With 5G now live to over 50% of the UK population, this blog explores when we can expect it to be universally available, and what the future holds for mobile connectivity. 

What is 5G? 

5G is a huge advancement over the current 4G offering when it comes to speed and latency; widely becoming the new global standard of wireless technology. It offers greater capacity than previous networks as it allows thousands of devices in a small area to be connected at the same time. You might be wondering what latency means? This refers to the time between instructing a wireless device to perform an action and that action being completed. The result of  5G means latency is becoming much more responsive on mobile devices. 

Why isn’t 5G Being Rolled Out Faster? 

Your biggest question if you don’t yet have access to 5G might be, when will you get it?  

There are multiple challenges that some companies are facing when attempting to support 5G: 

- 5G network deployment  

- Some areas may not be on board with 5G 

- Thorough testing needs to be completed before 5G is rolled out  

- 5G phones are still on their way into the mainstream market 

- 5G rollout is expensive  

Despite this, considering major network providers such as EE, O2, Vodafone, Virgin, Three, and BT have already begun releasing 5G into the UK, the national plan is to aim to have the whole country covered by 2028. 

What does the Future Hold? 

You’d find it hard to believe that 6G is already in the pipeline. Right? Well, the planning and research for it are already underway, after a stepping-stone called 5G Advanced. Network support for 5G Advanced is likely to become available during 2025, with 6G being released around 2030 if the development proceeds in-line with the previous ten-year cadence.  

Get an Electronic Engineering Degree! 

Electronic engineers impact many aspects of our lives, and there’s no doubt that with the technological revolution, the future of the industry is bright. With a BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree from the University of Bolton, we aim to teach you the skills to become part of the team of future engineers who will lead the next phase of the digital revolution.  

With modules including digital electronics and communications, analogue signal processing, power systems and smart grids, and much more, our School of Engineering is well-equipped to teach you the current practices that are vital in helping you become employable. 

Let’s explore some of the course highlights: 

- The electrical and electronic engineering course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and meets the requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer 

- Our dedicated lecturer team have extensive experience in fields such as renewable energy, connected devices, power systems, electrical machines, power electronics, and digital electronic systems 

- Students are encouraged to attend guest lectures and workshops from industry experts 

- Students also have the opportunity to benefit from industrial summer work placements that provide practical experience and valuable networking opportunities  

- Our state-of-the-art teaching laboratories include industry-standard equipment such as computer-aided design and computer-aided engineering software, power systems, renewable energies, and 3D printing equipment 

At Bolton, we can connect you to a supportive learning environment that will help you achieve your career ambitions. To find out more about the BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree, click here.  

To speak to a member of the team, please contact enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or call on 01204 903807. 

Come and enjoy #UniAsItShouldBe; where our students’ needs come first.