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5G mobile data is being tested, and it is fast

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

From Digital Spy

5G is one step closer to being in your hands and making your monthly contract prices go up.

Companies have been testing the bandwidth for years, but now chipset manufacturer Qualcomm have claimed that they've got 5G working on a phone.

BBC News are reporting that the phone has achieved download speeds of 1GB per second, which they claim can download an hour-long HD programme from iPlayer in just 6 seconds.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

By the time that 5G does get a public release (whenever that is), the download speeds could be even faster - Huawei and Japanese operator NTT DoCoMo reported speeds of 3.6GB a second during their field tests back in 2015.

But a Qualcomm spokesperson stated we could go beyond even that: "When it is finished and ready to ship to smartphone makers, it will be capable of 5Gbps speed, which no 4G LTE chip currently available can support.

"What our announcement represents is the first steps we are taking to counter sceptics... yes, millimetre wave 5G is a viable technology for mobile devices and networks, and our achievement proves the steady progress we are making."

5G is also set to have reduced latency, meaning that pesky buildings and whatnot shouldn't be getting in the way as much anymore.

Photo credit: Carlina Teteris / Getty Images
Photo credit: Carlina Teteris / Getty Images

Google has also been testing 5G connectivity through the use of solar-powered drones that beam down wireless connectivity from the sky.

We really are living in the future.


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