Every year the volume of data exchanged on the mobile network doubles. The introduction of the 3rd generation 3G (UMTS) in the middle of the 2000s, and then the rollout of the 4th generation 4G (LTE) from 2012 onwards made it possible to cover requirements, until now. These technologies, however, are now reaching their limits. The introduction of 5G will make it possible to appreciably increase data transmission capacities.
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5G networks
5G networks mark a revolution in the world of mobile communications as they open the door to new application areas, in particular in relation to the Internet of Things (IoT), communications between machines (M2M), ultra-broadband applications, autonomous cars, etc…
Compared with the current 3G and 4G mobile communication technologies, 5G offers significant advantages, in particular for the development of new technologies.
The benefits of 5G
- the reaction time (latency) of less than one millisecond is 30 to 50 times shorter than that of 4G,
- the data transfer rate of 10 Gbit/s is 100 times greater than that of 4G,
- the number of terminals which can be connected simultaneously is 100 times greater, allowing one million connected objects per km2.
Stages for the rollout of 5G
- November 2017: the Federal Council reserves the frequency bands (700MHz and 3.5 GHz) for mobile communications,
- December 2017: an initial version of the standards for the 5G becomes available
- during 2018: the first devices for 5G become available,
- February 2019: the Communications Commission ComCom awards the new frequencies to the mobile communication operators, with the 3.5 GHz band as the initial band for the rollout of 5G,
- during 2019: 5G starts in Switzerland.
The factsheet below provides an overview of the technology 5G.
Last modification 09.04.2025
