WHAT IS 5G?           

5G is the next or 5th generation of mobile communication and offers more than just faster mobile communication. Ultrafast, ubiquitous connectivity is transforming modern life and business. 5G is the latest and game-changing, evolutionary development. It facilitates new levels of interaction and enables applications of enormous social, economic and environmental value. It offers significantly increased speed, transmission consistency, reduced latency (delay) and power efficiency at around 10% of the power consumption of 4G. It also offers simultaneous delivery of multiple high bandwidth applications as networks can ‘sliced’ through programming rather than having to provide extra cables or signals. Indeed, network slicing  is just one factor that is set to disrupt both traditional and digital sectors.

   
It can handle applications that require greater bandwidth in a wireless setting such as virtual and augmented reality. It can also support the management of immense data sets such as those generated by IoT sensors and cameras. Operating continuously, these inform business intelligence decisions, actions and responses to improve many aspects of daily life.

Source - ResearchGate

5G TESTBEDS

Public 5G is starting to roll-out in Scotland, the UK and worldwide. To get a handle on the technology, public, private and university sectors are creating private testbeds and hybrid testbeds that can also be accessed by the public.

A testbed is an installation in a selected outdoor area or building of equipment for 5G communications like radio transmitter cells on lamp posts that are connected to a public or private telecoms network.

A private 5G testbed works by allowing the connection of 5G enabled devices of all kinds including phones and computers to develop and try out applications. 

In 2016, Dundee City Council secured £2M of funding from the Scottish Government to invest in digital connectivity  - a 5G testbed and free public wi-fi in and around the Central Waterfront and the City Centre.