5G

5G is the successor to 4G, which makes it the 5th generation of the telecommunications network. So it’s almost the same, except that it’s a whole lot faster. Connections with this new and improved telecommunications network are more reliable than ever, allowing for new innovations and applications to arise. Backed by 5G, we can dream of doctors that are able to check upon patients that are still in the ambulance, the further development of self-driving cars, and even robotic surgeries that are performed from afar. For this to be possible, multiple devices need to be connected at once, without any interference whatsoever. The increased capacity of 5G makes this a reality. 

5G can be a massive support for government organisations, tech startups and multinational companies alike. But let’s not forget the everyday consumer. We love to be online and to send and receive a tonne of data. We text, stream, send photos and watch videos all day long. As our mobile data usage is ever-increasing, the introduction of 5G will make sure we can happily continue to do so on a fast and stable network. Aside from making our internet faster, it also keeps our battery levels up to par (just the way we like it) as the network is less heavy on the batteries of our mobile phones. The same goes for other applications – gaming, streaming, downloading and augmented reality will quickly become a whole different ball game.

The Dutch government has carefully appointed several locations to be first in this new adventure, and the first 5G antennas have found their way into the open-air – in major cities and along important road and rail routes. Rolling out these massive networks takes time and significant investment from telecom companies, but the Netherlands is faced with another challenge. We need more room to send out all those radio frequencies. That’s why in 2020, our government decided to start auctioning frequencies that allow operators to provide 5G services. Fast forward to today and companies, knowledge institutions, governments and experts are closely collaborating with the common denominator to provide our entire country with 5G, and to do so in a wise and thorough manner. 

To fully prepare our country for the innovations and applications about to come, 5G field labs have been set up all-over the Netherlands. These allow companies to test out new technologies and put their own 5G innovations into practice. Well-known field labs can already be found in Brainport Eindhoven, Groningen and Delft, amongst many other cities.