Handynetworks - 5G Standard: How far we have come and what is still to be done
Five years after the launch of the first German 5G Handynet in the 5G frequency standard, the telecommunications industry is focusing on further expansion. Here's an overview of the current state of affairs and what comes next.
What does 5G actually bring?
The abbreviation stands for the fifth mobile network generation, which allows for faster data transfer than the predecessor standard 4G (LTE). While 4G offers up to 300 Megabits per second in private customer tariffs, 5G offers up to 1000 Megabits. These are maximum values, the actual speed may be lower in everyday use.
"5G brings Handy users reliably higher bandwidths," says Vodafone Germany CEO Marcel de Groot, citing the European Football Championship as an example. In the stadiums, Vodafone reportedly saw an average of 140 Megabits per second in terms of corporate usage when their smartphones were in the 5G network.
However, the bandwidth drops significantly with 4G when many people are in a cell: If football fans had only been connected to 4G, the download speed was only about one tenth of that. Another advantage of 5G: The latency (reaction time) is low - this is important for gamers. It's also good that the energy is used more efficiently in this frequency standard.
How far have we come with 5G?
Vodafone opened its small 5G network for end customers on July 17, 2019. Later, Deutsche Telekom and O2 Telefónica followed suit with consumer network opening. After the early 5G start, Vodafone fell behind its competitors: Deutsche Telekom claims to cover more than 96 percent of German households with its antennas, O2 speaks of 96 percent. Vodafone reports more than 92 percent. 1&1 started as the fourth 5G network operator in Germany at the end of 2023, its still very small network is being expanded step by step.
The percentages refer to houses, this requirement comes from the Federal Network Agency. However, citizens are more concerned about coverage, as they don't just want to get network where there are houses, but everywhere where they are on the move. The Federal Network Agency has published statements from network operators, as of April 2024. It shows that Deutsche Telekom is leading the way in terms of 5G coverage: The Bonn company covers 81.1 percent of the area with 5G, Vodafone covers 69 percent, and O2 Telefónica covers 66.5 percent.
What's left to do with 5G?
The telecommunications companies in Germany are aiming for almost complete household coverage. "By the end of 2025, the entire population should be reached with 5G," says O2 Telefónica's technology chief, Mallik Rao. However, 100 percent may not be achieved, as O2 and other network operators also face challenges in finding suitable plots for their antennas and obtaining the necessary approvals from the authorities. The Telekom has set a goal of 99 percent for the end of 2025, Vodafone aims to be at 95 percent in March 2025.
The Federal Network Agency also wants to introduce a requirement that 99.5 percent of the German territory must be covered with at least 50 Megabits per second in the download by 2030. This requirement is technology-neutral, meaning it's not specifically tied to 5G. However, the latest mobile standard could still play a role here.
What problems remain in the expansion?
As the expansion progresses, the harder it becomes: The last percentage points are a great challenge, as difficult locations come next - for instance, in mountain ranges, where range is limited by valleys and mountains. In addition, telecommunications companies have major issues finding suitable locations - in some places, no one is willing to rent their land for an antenna tower; in others, nature reserves and lengthy approval processes hinder construction.
Do consumers really need 5G, or is 4G sufficient?
For the core brands of network providers, 5G is included in the tariff with no additional cost. However, for smaller providers like Congstar, customers pay extra. The maximum 5G speed in these cases is reduced to 50 Megabits - these providers limit the technical capabilities of their cheaper tariffs to keep their full 5G speed core brands attractive.
From a technical standpoint, 5G has clear advantages. However, there are doubts as to whether these advantages are so crucial that citizens should insist on access. "A good 4G coverage is sufficient for all common applications," says Jörg Schamberg from the comparison portal Verivox. "Moreover, 5G with full speed is still a price issue: Even in 2024, a contract with fast 5G speed is not regularly under 20 Euros per month."
When will 6G come?
Approximately every ten years, a new radio standard comes to market, with 6G expected in 2029 or 2030. The already good transfer and reaction time will likely improve further. After the introduction of 6G, it may still take many years for it to coexist with 5G - just as we experience it with 4G today.
From a consumer perspective, everyday benefits of 6G seem hard to imagine at present, given the increasing data requirements of Virtual Reality (VR) and other internet services. However, 6G could still bring benefits to consumers. For example, in the medical field, it is expected to be used for remote-controlled surgeries. "6G builds on the existing 5G infrastructure and brings tactile internet and thus the network to touch," says de Groot.
- In the telecommunications industry's pursuit of 5G expansion, HandyNet plays a significant role as part of the first German 5G network.
- The HandyNet 5G launch by Telefonica in Düsseldorf marked the beginning of the 5G era five years ago, setting the stage for other companies to follow.
- Consumers, including Soccer fans, have already experienced the benefits of 5G in terms of higher bandwidths and lower latency, as demonstrated during the European Football Championship.
- Despite the advantages, achieving complete 5G coverage in Germany remains a challenge, with telecommunications companies like Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and O2 Telefónica aiming for nearly 100% coverage by 2025 or 2026.
- The Federal Network Agency in Bonn has set a 2030 goal requiring at least 99.5% of German territory to be covered with at least 50 Megabits per second in the download, potentially paving the way for the introduction of the next generation of telecommunication technology.
- The expansion of 5G networks faces challenges in finding suitable locations for antennas, gaining necessary approvals from authorities, and dealing with resistance from local communities.
- Some network providers, like 1&1, are also playing a role in the 5G expansion, albeit at a slower pace than the major players in the telecommunications industry.
- From a consumer's perspective, the everyday benefits of 6G may be hard to envision, but it could still bring significant advancements in areas like remote surgeries and tactile internet.
- The incumbent telecommunications companies in Germany, such as Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom, are actively investing in research and development to prepare for the rollout of 6G, further positioning the country as a leader in telecommunications innovation.
