Just a couple of years since the launch of 5G networks in Mysuru as reported by Hindustan Times, and coverage is growing by the day. You might have seen this piece of high-speed internet tech advertised as a feature to look forward to as a new big leap. How much of this is true, however, and when might Mysuru residents be better suited to their existing older 4G connections?

What Makes 5G Different?

The name 5G refers to a new standard regarded as the fifth generation of mobile technology. This new evolution delivers some significant advantages over older 3G and 4G networks, but it won’t act as a total replacement.

The most obvious change brought by 5G is its higher speed. This is found in both bandwidth, the amount of data that can be sent at one time, and latency, the amount of time it takes a message to perform a round trip. 5G offers higher bandwidth and lower latency than 3G and 4G, so when using the system you’ll be able to download more, faster. 5G also offers the benefit of up to ten times as many connected devices per cell tower, now up to a million. It’s not all advantages, however, as 5G suffers with range and penetration. This tradeoff as explained by Toms’s Guide means that 5G will often act as a partner to 4G, rather than as a complete replacement. Larger areas with many obstacles are still far better suited to 4G, and there will also be an overlap of 4G in any area where 5G is available.

Using 5G in Mysuru

The simple answer to whether or not you need 5G in Mysuru is, in general, no. The technology can be very helpful to the right person in the right place, but for most of us, what it offers isn’t necessary. For an illustration of why this is, at least for now, consider how mobile connections today are commonly used.

The most data-demanding use that most of us put our mobiles through is streaming. Take live casino games such as those provided by Casino Days India. Games like Crazy Time and Lighting Dice stream physical dealers onto a player’s device, and use real-time communication for bets and chat messages. This is cutting-edge technology from the casino industry and highly indicative of regular mobile device use patterns, yet it won’t require anything close to 5G for perfect operation. In many cases, even 3G could offer what most of us need.

Exceptions to this only apply to the rare people who require the fastest possible internet speeds while on their mobiles. If you worked for a company that uses outdoor tech that requires regular database updates, for example, 5G could be perfect. Still, this is uncommon, and 4G could again serve most of these instances well enough.

“5G network tower behind a tree line with” (CC BY 2.0) by Ivan Radic

The Next Generation

5G might not be the most useful system right now, but that doesn’t mean it’s a wasted pursuit. The biggest advantage of the technology is that it prepares us for what’s ahead, just like some of the faster ISPs that we’ve covered at Star of Mysore before. With 5G, we’re ready for a future where internet speed demands continue to grow, and where more devices need to connect to wireless infrastructure.

In this way, investing in 5G now could be seen as insurance against the future. In an emergency, continual internet access might be possible thanks to 5G. The tech would enable faster medical services and more reliable connectivity in cities. Even if we often can’t see it in action, 5G will be making our lives in Mysuru easier. Just don’t think you have to run out and buy a 5G phone any time soon.