After The Arrival of 5G, Does Fibre Networks And Wi-Fi Make Sense?

These days there is much talk about the emergence of 5G. The speeds that the new communications protocol is reaching, despite being still in its infancy, are much higher than those of 4G networks. If we add to this that with the arrival of 5G, flat data rates are also doing it, it is common sense to ask whether fibre optics and Wi-Fi networks will continue to make sense in homes and businesses.

Before going into more detail, it is important to differentiate what are called 5G Wi-Fi networks, which already incorporate many routers and devices. These have nothing to do with 5G networks. This type of Wi-Fi connection is called that because it operates in the 5 GHz frequency band, different from that of old Wi-Fi connections. The distinction is important, as it can lead to errors when choosing certain devices and services.

Focusing on 5G networks the speed of data transfer and response, its latency, improves what some Wi-Fi networks offer. That, in theory, would allow in the medium term that these networks can be even more interesting to transfer data than fibre optic and Wi-Fi. But for that, a much larger deployment of 5G networks is needed.

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Moreover, Wi-Fi technology is also evolving. The Wi-Fi 6 networks, which are still a rarity but already equipped devices like Galaxy S10, allow download speeds of up to 1 Giga using 2.4 GHz frequency, but this speed is increased to 4.8 theoretical Gigs the 5Ghz band. The interesting thing about these networks is that several devices can be connected at the same time. 5G networks, however, allow the connection of a single device.

Although that device can be a router, there are already products of this type. It’s is the case with the 5G D-Link DWR-2010 router. This device allows to receive a 5G signal and distribute it as a router connected to a fibre-optic network. The funny thing is that to use a wireless network that replaces the cable is not as necessary as it seems a 5G connection.

In many countries, 4G networks are as fast or more like standard cable-based Internet connections that can be contracted with operators. This is revealed by a 2018 Open Signal study (PDF). Although, we already noticed that Spain is not on the list of countries that have been the subject of the study.

In fact, some users due to the increase in the amount of data that can be transferred monthly have begun to do without fibre networks. This trend may go further when flat data rates begin to become popular, such as the one Vodafone already offers for 4G and 5G networks.

But the truth is that the future improvement of Wi-Fi connections makes this technology remain almost essential. Even if at a certain moment the telecommunications operators consider it more interesting than the data reach our homes and workspaces through 5G networks.

This scenario entails certain disadvantages for those who continue to use the cable, either for security reasons or for the stability it provides when providing data. Let’s not forget that the most stable and secure connections are achieved by directly connecting an Ethernet cable from a router to the computer.

Especially, considering the saturation that some homes suffer a lot due to a large number of nearby Wi-Fi connections. Even some professional devices still use the old Ethernet cables. As is the case with some professional cameras, which have this kind of connection due to the high data transfer speed that it allows.

The most stable and secure connections are achieved by directly connecting an Ethernet cable from a router to the computer

Also, we repeat, a cable is always much safer than any wireless connection, be it 5G or Wi-Fi. Therefore, regardless of whether the use of 5G networks combined with Wi-Fi can be extended, there will always be a core of professional users who will resist abandoning cable connections.

In any case, all this is in the air until the 5G does not expand much more. And that is not going to happen overnight. What seems clear is that public Wi-Fi networks will gradually become a rarity as 5G connections make their way. At least in countries that can afford the massive deployment of that kind of networks.