5G network
The top of the mast with the antennas of the 5G network
5G (short for 5th generation) is the fifth (latest in use) generation of mobile communication technology and mobile network, following 4G, launched in 2019. To take advantage of 5G, a device (e.g. smartphone, modem) capable of communicating on the network is required 5G.
History
The first 5G network was launched commercially in April 2019 in South Korea, to which SK Telecom contributed the largest share. April 8, 2019 The Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) announced that 224 operators in 88 countries are already actively investing in 5G (i.e. those that have demonstrated, are testing or trialling or are licensed to conduct field trials of 5G technologies , are introducing 5G networks or have already announced the launch of a 5G service).
Advantages and disadvantages of the 5G network
Compared to 4G, 5G networks enable significantly higher transmission speeds, more stable reception and significantly lower latency. First of all, they will be used in the business sector, the Internet of Things (IoT) and the like. A great advantage of 5th generation networks is that the signal can be directed (using the beamforming method, consisting in the use of constructive wave interference from separately excited antenna elements) directly to a specific end device, for example a smartphone, which will thus reach maximum speeds.
A large number of transmitters will be needed to cover as large an area as possible. They will not have the same range as current 4G transmitters. Therefore, it will have to be built on a large scale, which will bring increased costs for building a functional network. It can be expected that in the first years only the largest Slovak cities will be covered, even then not completely.
Slovakia
"The development of fifth generation networks is a chance for Slovakia, for our citizens and companies, and as one of the prerequisites for development, it must be part of our strategy to strengthen the competitiveness of the entire country", said the Slovak Deputy Prime Minister for Investments and Informatization Peter Pellegrini at a meeting with representatives of the state and of the customer sphere at a strategic meeting that took place on November 16, 2017 in the TechPark data center in Bratislava, organized by Orange Slovakia.
In May 2019, Orange demonstrated real examples of 5G connectivity at the company's headquarters[4] and in July 2019, 4ka called a press conference at which it claimed it would be the first Slovak operator with a 5G network. On July 10, 2019, in Banská Bystrica, it presented the data part of its 5G network (technology supplier ZTE) at a meeting with journalists. In 2020, however, both transmitters in Banská Bystrica had a range of only a few hundred meters, and the network is still only used for testing and promotional purposes.
On December 10, 2020, Slovak Telekom launched the commercial operation of the 5G network in Bratislava. The following urban areas of Bratislava are covered by the 5G Telekom network: Petržalka, Ružinov, Nové Mesto, Trnávka, Vajnory, Vrakuňa, Podunajské Biskupice and Devínska Nová Ves.
