Introduction to 5G

[JAMES4578]

A few articles on 5G, Clear Advanages,Challenges and when likely to get going in Uk.  The first compatible devices  mentioned including Samsung's S10

5G Explained

Galaxy S10 Speculation

Android Phones- 5G

http://telecoms.com/494888/vodafone-and-o2-uk-buddy-up-over-5g-infrastructure-sharing/

[BandOfBrothers]

5G is certainly the future @JAMES4578 

However for some in the UK actually getting a good stable 3G or 4G from their Network would be the first priority for them

[JAMES4578]

A 5G  S10 is now available  (however don't get too excited yet   currently restricted to South Korea, seems no imminent plans for an international release.   However no doubt will come in time.

On that note Samsung announced high speed over air.   A bit also in the S10 section inccluding a video.

https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s10-5g-is-now-available-in-one-country

https://news.samsung.com/global/kt-and-samsung-achieve-1gbps-speed-over-the-air-on-the-5g-commercial...

[JAMES4578]

As 5G  Networks are likely to be  the core structure on which digital services are built, security has become a vital component in the system as  a hostile power could disrupt the efficient functioning of services.   As has been reported the Uk may well  allow Huawei   to provide at least some of the technology despite reservations raised (though word came about after leak from National Security  council which has now lead to replacement of Defence Secretary) As far back as 2014 the US  banned the company from Government  contracts and the current administration as sought to "persuade" its allies on this course of action.   However mobile companies have expressed concerns that a ban would hurt them  and delay the technology,    of course likely political factors also at play in both countries. 

The EU is apparently  worried that any vulnerability would affect the whole union  and there needs to be a thorough risk assessment, however likely to take a different approach than the States, believing concerns can be addressed in the regulatory framework. 

https://www.zdnet.com/article/uk-allows-huawei-for-5g-report/

https://www.zdnet.com/article/5g-security-europe-worries-about-backdoors-into-its-networks/

[JAMES4578]

A few security flaws  from Huawei  have been publicsed lately, even if inadvertent.  https://www.verdict.co.uk/huawei-backdoor-security-threat/

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2019/0430/1046566-vodafone-huawei/

There was  a bit about the company in the recent Click programme https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n3ct5t8z

[JAMES4578]

5G oficially launched by EE today,   a few articles if you want to look a bit further into it.  At the  moment limited to London. Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh , Cardiff and  Belfast.  https://www.t3.com/news/ee-5g-network-launches-today-prices-starts-from-pound32-a-month

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/ee-launches-5g-manchester-five-...

https://newsroom.ee.co.uk/ee-launching-uks-first-5g-service-in-six-cities-bringing-a-new-era-in-fast...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-48458280

https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/ee-5g-price-release-date-speeds-3768847

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/what-is-5g-and-when-can-i-get-it-in-the-uk

[AntS]

Cheers, @JAMES4578!

Well it's finally here for us! From this Friday, UK Samsung peeps will be able to join the 5G club in the form of the S10 5G. Will be great to hear from those early adopters.

For myself, I tend to be a tad sceptical when it comes to "the next big thing". As much as I get a little peeved with buffering - wondering how much of my life I've spent watching the little wheel spinning - and waiting for stuff to download, I wasn't convinced that less of that kind of thing would be all that big of a deal.

But I guess it's kinda like fast broadband versus dial-up modems. The power to do more and in more places opens up a world of possibilities; from all sorts of seamlessly connected devices to driverless cars. (I reckon the developers at Samsung must've watched a lot of '80s TV as they seem to be very keen on making KITT from Knight Rider a reality...)

Wonder what brave new world 5G will open up - both for Samsung and generally.

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @AntS 

It's certainly going to be interesting.

May I ask....

On the UK Samsung Online Shop site it has a note saying only two UK network operator sim cards will work. i.e. ee and Vodafone.

Does this mean the 5G only wont work if you try another network sim card or will the phone just flat refuse to accept the sim card ?

[JAMES4578]

@AntS  Good to know that samsung is joining the party   (so to speak)     😊  https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-s10/galaxy-s10-5g/    Whilst I have a   air bit of intrigue  I will not be one of the early adopters so will  be interested to hear from any who take the plunge.   Even if you think  you think connections/speeds are fine the advanced technology will open up a whole range of possibilities that we will be hearing more about in the years ahead.   In this day and age there is demand for technology to be super fast, think many would go spare if they had to go back to Dial up now!   At the time though sure many thought it was so cool 😂

5G though has some way to develop, at the moment it will only be available in some parts of selected cities.

Some info here on those who have tried the technology:

https://www.pocket-lint.com/phones/news/ee/148203-the-first-7-hours-and-55-minutes-on-5g-with-ee

[AntS]

@BandOfBrothers:  They won't accept another network's SIM. They’re sold from the Online Shop as network-locked to their respective networks, so it’ll be the same situation for them as for standard network-locked phones.