5G network auction raised £1.36bn

Regulator Ofcom said “an auction of frequencies, for the next generation of mobile phone networks has raised £1.36bn with Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three all winning the bandwidth needed for the future 5G mobile internet services and faster connections which is expected to be launched in 2020.

Ofcom auctioned two spectrum bands 3.4 GHz, which is one of the spectrum brands earmarked for 5G and 2.3 GHz, which is used by current mobile networks and will help to improve 4G capacity.

Telefonica which owns O2 also bought additional frequency for its 4G coverage. 5G also could help driverless cars to communicate with traffic lights and other vehicles to anticipate traffic conditions to avoid collisions.

Superfast mobile streaming could be just around the corner. 5G will bring us broadband-equivalent download speeds over mobile networks. Plans include the ability to stream CCTV cameras on buses directly to the police allowing them to respond more quickly to incidents. 5G is expected to handle more data and connect more devices simultaneously and do this all at superfast speeds than is possible using existing technology.  The current 4G download speed max out at around 50 megabits per second, but 5G networks have been demonstrated that run at up more than 100times that speed. You will be able to stream a 4K video straight to your smartphone with no lag at all. %G Also can connect loads of devices simultaneously so lots of Internet of Things devices in smart buildings and cities can be connected. The electromagnetic spectrum used by 5G is faster that aren’t currently being used by other kinds of network. New developments in receiver and transmitter technology allows 5G networks to communicate using very high and very low frequency waves which until recently was impossible using existing technology.

Apple, Samsung, LG, Sony and HTC are all working with the chip manufacturer Qualcomm to bring out 5G ready devices in 2019. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X50 50 modem is trailed by Verizon, AT&T and Vodafone are trialling 5G networks.

UK economy could get a boost of £7bn from 5G.