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Understanding 5G speed

Definition and comparison

The fifth generation of mobile telecommunications, better known as 5G, marks a major advance in connectivity. It features much higher theoretical data rates than previous generations, enabling a smoother experience and greater responsiveness of digital services.

Compared to 4G, la 5G offers : 

• Reduced latency, essential for real-time applications such as telemedicine and autonomous vehicles.
• Increased connection capacity, enabling more devices to be managed simultaneously.
• Significantly faster transfer speeds, reaching several gigabits per second under optimal conditions.

Thanks to advances in frequencies and infrastructure, 5G technology significantly improves mobile network performance, facilitating access to ever more demanding content and services.

Influential factors

The rollout of 5G now covers more and more territories, enabling businesses to benefit from advanced connectivity. But although 5G boasts impressive speeds, several factors influence its actual performance:

• Distance from antennas: the further away a user is, the more the connection may be affected.
• The environment: buildings, urban density and natural obstacles can affect signal quality.
• The type of device and package: certain mobile equipment and packages enable users to benefit more fully from the capabilities offered by 5G.

The rollout of 5G networks and the installation of new antennas are playing a key role in improving coverage and optimizing connection speeds.

Practical applications of 5G speed

Use cases 

Thanks to its high theoretical data rates and low latency, 5G paves the way for innovative uses in many sectors. 

• In healthcare, it enables remote medical interventions and rapid transmission of high-resolution images. 
• In transport, it facilitates communication between vehicles and infrastructures for safer, smarter mobility. 
• Industry is also taking advantage of this fifth generation to optimize production through the use of connected objects and the automation of supply chains.

The 5G network represents a major step forward for sectors requiring ultra-fast, secure connections, such as healthcare and industry.

Testimonials

Many companies are testing these new capabilities in the Orange 5G Lab. We provide companies with the tools and services they need to support their digital transition. By benefiting from a dedicated environment, they can explore possible improvements to their activities and anticipate market developments.

These experiments confirm the impact of 5G deployment on the digital transformation of businesses.

Read also: What does 5G promise for your business?

Challenges and limitations

Technical limitations 

Despite its performance, 5G presents challenges, particularly in terms of coverage.

The frequencies used have a shorter range than those of 4G, requiring dense deployment of 5G antennas to ensure a stable connection, particularly in cities and certain less accessible areas.

Safety and reliability

With higher speeds and increased connectivity, data protection is becoming a central issue. Telecoms players must guarantee network security against cyber-attacks, and ensure optimum reliability for businesses and critical services.

The future of 5G speed

Future developments

The development of 5G has only just begun. In the future, improved infrastructure and the use of new frequency bands will enable even higher speeds, while guaranteeing a more stable connection. Deploying 5G in rural areas and densely populated urban spaces will strengthen network access for all.

Operators like Orange are gradually adjusting their infrastructures to optimize coverage and guarantee optimum quality of service for business and residential users.

Role of Orange 5G Lab

Orange 5G Lab supports businesses and digital players in this transition. By offering them a framework for experimentation, we enable them to test different uses and anticipate the evolutions of this fifth generation.

With a strong commitment to the telecoms sector, Orange is helping to make 5G a must-have technology for the future of communications.