5G is finally due to go live sometime over the next 12 months or so, with lightning-fast 5G broadband all readiness to spearhead the commercial launch of this gen-next network.
Then it may come as a surprise to some of you that a new technology termed 10G broadband is also in talks now. So here’s this post on what 10G broadband, exactly, is and does it symbolize a premature exit of 5G technology!
What 10G, exactly, broadband?
10G is basically a trademark of the NCTA, the principal trade association of the US broadband. But then, what does it exactly mean?
The term 10G broadband may look like a little deceptive to you in case you are familiar with the 5G broadband concept. Here, ‘5G’ actually refers to the fifth generation of mobile network technology, which will first appear as a home broadband service.
On the other hand, the name 10G broadband seems to refer to a huge advancement on the 5G mobile network standard.
However, 10G here doesn’t refer to the tenth generation of mobile network or something. It instead refers to the 10 gigabytes per second (Gbps) Internet speeds that the 5G generation of completely-wired home broadband networks will provide.
So, 10Gb is being worked on by numerous cable operators around the world, including Comcast, Taiwan Broadband Communications, Rogers, Shaw, Vodafone, Telecom Argentina, Liberty Global, and a lot more.
So is 10G another form of wired home broadband?
Well, yes, it is. The 10G wired broadband is being publicized as the next big step for conventional home broadband, which means it depends on a completely-wired connection into your home instead of the wireless ‘final mile’ approach being featured in 5G broadband where there’s a wireless gap between your home and the major infrastructure.
Eventually, 5G broadband should be able to provide roughly 1Gbps speed. However, it is likely to provide speeds of around 100Mbps initially.
As such, this impending 10G broadband platform will likely have the potential to increase those speeds up by factors of ten and a hundred, respectively! Well, that’s massive!
Along with offering improved symmetrical speeds, the 10G broadband platform will also flaunt lower latencies, higher compute capabilities, better reliability, and better security as compared to the wired broadband standards we use today.
Having said that, 10G broadband is likely to be built on the existing 1Gbps network infrastructure already being used predominantly in different parts of North America, Asia, and Europe. It will feature a confluence of technologies that are already being used, together with gradual upgrades to be launched by several telecoms companies.
This means the 10G standard will be built towards steadily instead of being a massive technology launched in a single instance.
What’s latest in 10G broadband?
10G broadband was recently showcased at CES 2019 in Las Vegas, where the NCTA joined hands with Cable Europe and CableLabs to introduce the vision for providing 10 gigabit broadband networks.
While showcasing the cable operators’ vision for 10G platform, NCTA President and CEO Michael Powell revealed that the 10G platform, featuring scalable speeds and capacity, is the wired network of the future and has the potential to drive the digital imaginations and experiences of broadband users for years to come.
How fast will 10G broadband be?
In practical terms, 10G broadband will drastically blitz any data-intensive task you can name of at present.
For example, it will take less than a minute for you to completely download a 4K UHD movie on your system, while it would take somewhere around 1 hour and 40 minutes on a standard 100Mbps connection we are likely to initially experience with upcoming 5G broadband services.
When and where will 10G broadband be launched?
At the recently-held CES 2019, where telecom operators showcased their vision of 10G platform, NCTA revealed that 10G broadband platform would be initially launched across the US over the coming years.
While lab trials for 10G are already underway, field testing is likely to begin as early as 2020. As such, there are no plans to roll out the 10G mobile broadband platform with the 5G broadband.
What will 5G’s relationship to 10G be like?
10G broadband will set out to compete with 5G broadband in global markets; however, it is likely to work in tandem with the wider 5G network.
The NCTA claims that 10G will offer various new possibilities for connected gaming, video streaming, smart cities, healthcare, and augmented & virtual reality. These are all industry that will need a faster next-generation mobile network along with a reliable fixed network.
Eventually, while 10G will be rolled out in competition with 5G, both these network standards are likely to form a vital partnership in providing users with a fast and more secure access to the communications and applications and tomorrow.