HACKER Q&A
📣 PaulWaldman

5G Connectivity for IoT


With 5G networks rolling out when, if ever, will inexpensive connectivity be made available at scale? Looking at the major wireless carriers, it looks like they are currently selling 5G as just a faster 4G with the same pricing.

How far away are we from inexpensive wireless broadband connectivity?

Are there any competing technologies that could be viable?

  👤 CyberFonic Accepted Answer ✓
5G is about faster connectivity not cheaper. Wireless mobile broadband requires massive capital outlays, so it is unlikely that prices will be coming down anytime soon. The carrier's only concern is ROI. Contrary to what their marketing spiels may claim.

LoRaWAN technology, if meshed, can cover a wide area, but it is relatively slow. There has been some chatter about carriers including that standard with their existing towers for IoT applications. Even if that comes about it will probably be years away and be priced to be profitable not cheap.

👤 PaulHoule
If you want cheap you want optic fiber to the last 250ft, then ethernet, then wifi. The phone company says the fiber is expensive, but it lasts for decades, they can't depreciate it as fast as 5G base stations that will be trashed when 6G gets here, if not before.

The elephant in the room is that cell phone coverage is a joke in the us. They say they support 300 m pops but I find that very hard to believe based on going to one.