Page 5 - Van Wig & Associates Newsletter, Lakewood Edge ~ September 2019 Issue

new horizons l

WHAT DOES IT TECHNOLOGY

5G IS HERE MEAN FOR YOU?

y now, you’ve probably digital landscape, supercharging How long? Let’s use history as a
heard about the coming marvels like self-driving cars, virtual guide. Just this year, major network
Blaunch of 5G. Rolling and augmented reality, and even providers have begun the final
into the marketplace for the first newly emerging medical services phase-out of 3G technology, which
time this year, it’s the next (fifth) like remote surgery. launched in 2001, meaning it’s had
generation of cellular technology, But that magnificent future is a productive lifespan of almost 20
and promises to significantly just that: the future. Initially, 5G is years. 4G launched in 2010, so it
enhance the speed, coverage and only being made available in a small will likely still be supported for as
responsiveness of wireless networks. number of launch cities, and even much as another decade.
It’s a major upgrade, and has there only to those who’ve already The bottom line is, if you’re
wireless carriers excitedly rushing laid out upwards of $1,200 for the comfortable with your current
to promote the arrivals of their 5G first generation of 5G-compatible network speeds and performance,
networks and compatible products. phones. you won’t need to change a thing
As a result, the average cellphone The rest of us will still be for a long time to come.
user may well be wondering: How connected to the reliable 4G service
and when will 5G really make an we’ve grown used to—and 4G GOING DOWN
impact on me? won’t be going away anytime soon. A FAMILIAR ROAD
Well, before you feel compelled The best approach for upgrading
to rush out and upgrade your CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATE to 5G may very well be: Wait may be less tech-savvy than other entirely new device.
phone, consider the following. It’s estimated that most wireless and see. If you trust your wireless segments of the market. As a result, 5G offers a bright future for
networks won’t be providing provider, remember that they’ve they’ve helped steer them through wireless, and opens an almost
A LIMITED ROLLOUT widespread 5G coverage until the been through these changes for transitions all the way from 2G unlimited range of technological
Ever since the first field tests of end of 2020, at the very earliest. each successive generation, and by proactively reaching out to possibilities. Yet for the average
5G were deployed in 2015, hype for And even when they do, you can have plans in place to make sure alert customers as to what changes user, and for the foreseeable future,
the technology has been building. expect the technology supporting customers stay “up to speed,” so to to expect, and when, with each it will be a “nice to have” rather
Tests have delivered responses 10 4G to remain in place indefinitely. speak. succeeding upgrade. The result has than a “need to have” upgrade,
to 100 times speedier than current In fact, unless you’re actively seeking A good example is Consumer been millions of customers making meaning there’s really no rush to
4G cellular connections. The to change, you may not even notice Cellular. Focusing largely on seamless transitions, whether that decide. n
arrival of 5G is predicted to bring that 5G has been turned on in your customers ages 50 and up, the required simply changing a setting
phenomenal advancements to the area for a long time. company recognizes that its users on a cellphone or upgrading to an ©2019 Brandpoint.
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