With the invention of the ‘smartphone’, streaming music, videos and even games have become one of the most crucial methods of consuming content. It was just a few years ago, where we were blown away by ‘simpler’ things compared to today, like being able to download music on our phone or share images. The speed at which technology is re-imagining how content can be consumed is truly dizzying at times!
When it comes to consuming content, where we are at today is a remarkable achievement in every sense of the word. Especially considering the low latency and average speeds of 30 MBPS and peak speeds that can go as high as 100 MBPS. You are assured a buffer free streaming experience almost every time, with the most advanced of 4G LTE networks.
So why then is 5G better for streaming music and videos
While the 4G is great beyond its theoretical limits, the maximum download speed for 4G technology is 1GBPS download and 500 MBPS upload. These speeds are largely theoretical in nature. In reality, consumers are using speeds between 20 MBPS and 100 MBPS. 1/10th of the speed that is theoretically possible. A slight disappointment in the very least.
See also: 5G vs 4G
Also, while 4G has made major breakthroughs in reducing latency, it hasn’t managed to completely eliminate the problem. As the 4G network has become congested with more connections, issues like latency and buffering have disrupted the streaming experience in more ways than one.
Apart from being a far less congested network than 4G, 5G on an interrupted network is 20 times faster. With 5G, 20 GBPS speed can easily be reached on a direct connection to a cellular tower.
This alone opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to streaming music, videos, e-sports and other forms of online games. Speeds like this ensure ultra fast downloads too. Downloading movies on Netflix will take less than a minute. High Latency in simple terms means delays caused by the network in processing data, largely due to congestion of the network. Since 5G is not only a faster network but also a decongested network, latency issues will be completely eradicated for all intents and purposes. The other benefit of 5G’s ultra low latency will be buffering. A problem that has disrupted our viewing experience for years is truly expected to be a thing of the past.
But 5G is not just the best network for streaming because of all the things that it will fix. It is also considered to be the most optimal network, as it will truly revolutionize the streaming industry. Not just 4K and 4K+ quality, but even 8K video quality can easily be supported on 5G technology without straining the network. The best part is that 5G makes 4K, 4K+ and 8K streaming possible with next to no latency, zero buffering and at super fast speeds, even on the move.
The reason why all of this is possible with 5G is that it uses a shorter wavelength to transmit data. These shorter wavelengths are much stronger than their counterparts which were used in 4G, and other older forms of network technology. On the other hand, they can only travel to 2% of the range a 4G network can. This means that while a 5G network is prone to interference, with a direct connection, congestion will never be a problem. 5G network will completely reinvent your viewing experience, even while you’re traveling, by virtue of how it transmits data and eliminates congestion
5G can truly improve your streaming experience and make 4K+ and 8K streaming possible, because of the manner in which the 5G network is set up. A big advantage of using 5G for streaming is that the ultra fast, decongested network with very low latency allows a lot of the data you’re streaming to be processed over the network. This not only delivers a far superior viewing experience but also helps in conserving power on your phone. Since no data is processed on your phone, the phone receives already processed data and just showcases it to you.
The other breakthrough in steaming that will be made possible solely by 5G technology is VR (Virtual Reality and AR (Augmented Reality). You may have heard these terms before, but with the advent of 5G technology and the way it works, there will be no restrictions placed on quality and file size. The way we watch movies and play games will undergo a massive shift through virtual and augmented reality. So if you’re excited about watching movies in VR, or playing games with VR, 5G is a must!
It’s quite evident that 5G is the most optimal network for streaming music and video with no clear competition in sight. 5G technology will also exclusively support all the innovations from the entertainment, gaming and streaming industries in the near future and deliver an unmatched user experience. So expect 5G technology to become a prerequisite for all your streaming needs.