5G mmWave technology: Revolutionizing connectivity for businesses

5G mmWave is the newest iteration of 5G technology that delivers ultra-fast wireless connections. It’s based on the same infrastructure as previous 5G technologies while improving speeds and bandwidth in dense environments. This update is an improvement over existing 5G due to its ability to shuttle more information more quickly as long as users have clear line of sight.

5G mmWave is designed to be the fastest cellular, wireless connection for a user in an urban environment.

By utilizing already existing 5G models, 5G mmWave enables new technologies to seamlessly integrate into urban environments while operating quickly and without lag.

5G mmWave is the highest frequency band (24 GHz to 100 GHz) of 5G technology, designed to offer the highest speeds and greatest bandwidth for users. Many 5G users are used to lower frequencies like 5 GHz, which offers lower speeds compared to mmWave.

While all these connections are within the 5G realm of technologies, only mmWave offers the fastest connection speeds.

5G mmWave does have a shorter connection range and a lower ability to penetrate objects, however. That means mmWave is optimized to provide ultra-fast connections for dense areas with clear line of sight while complementing low-band and mid-band 5G for balanced coverage and performance.

Despite its more limited range, however, mmWave easily offers the highest bandwidth for user-heavy environments.

5G mmWave refers specifically to the high-frequency spectrum of 5G connections above 24 GHz, while 5G encompasses all types of 5G, like low- and mid-band ranges. And while all 5G frequencies offer faster speeds and lower latency than previous wireless connection technologies, mmWave is the fastest of the 5G frequencies within its range.

Businesses often use mmWave for its shortest range and highest bandwidth applications like big data analytics and AI tools. However, other 5G frequencies are a critical component of a well-connected business to complement the benefits of mmWave.

Low-band 5G, for example, provides a much greater area of coverage and can penetrate through building walls over distance, while mid-band provides a solid balance of range and speed. By combining mmWave and other frequencies, businesses can benefit from mmWave speed while maintaining their signal strength across vast areas.

With its massive bandwidth capabilities, businesses across industries can benefit from mmWave alongside other 5G technologies. Especially in comparison to older cellular technologies, the improvements from mmWave are clear:

Ultra-fast speeds for high-demand applications

5G mmWave can support internet speeds up to 20 Gbps, enabling extremely fast data transfers. Entertainment industries, for example, can support simultaneous file sharing, Augmented Reality (AR) experiences, Virtual Reality (VR) experiences, and teleconferencing without overwhelming the network.

Highly-regulated industries, like finance or healthcare, can make instantaneous decisions while maintaining up-to-date records that remain accessible due to a fast network.

Massive bandwidth for high-density environments

5G mmWave is ideal for environments with a massive number of connections in a relatively small area. Hospitals, transportation hubs, and stadiums used to suffer from a lack of bandwidth due to the massive number of devices attempting to connect to a single network.

The large bandwidth capacity of mmWave addresses these connection failures to keep more devices connected to the network and running smoothly.

Ultra-low latency for real-time use cases

The ultra-fast speeds of mmWave are perfect for applications needing near-instantaneous communication. From real-time vehicle tracking to critical healthcare decisions, a fast and reliable network that doesn’t get overwhelmed by bandwidth needs is an important component of industries across the world.

Flexible small cell networks for coverage expansion

Small cells extend mmWave coverage, making ultra-fast speeds and low latency available in dense urban environments and large indoor spaces. That means both customers and employees can utilize the fastest network band regardless of their location within the mmWave range.

[Read more: What is a femtocell?]

By building on existing infrastructures, 5G mmWave is increasingly available in complement to lower frequency band 5G ranges. The flexibility that mmWave offers for fast speeds within its range means that practically every industry can benefit from its network capacity.

The ways different industries can benefit from mmWave are expanding every day as the 5G infrastructure continues to grow. When choosing connectivity options for your business, including mmWave, consider these industry benefits and how your company can run faster and more smoothly:

Smart cities and urban infrastructure

The high-bandwidth capabilities of mmWave allow for revolutionary upgrades to the air travel industry, public safety monitoring, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to simultaneously connect to a reliable network while performing their jobs well.

As industries rely further on connected technologies to function optimally, it is important that these devices are connected to the fastest network with the most bandwidth possible to achieve their maximum function.

Healthcare and telemedicine

mmWave technology can facilitate a vast number of healthcare professionals connecting with patients simultaneously without taxing the network. Now, healthcare professionals can do even more online, from simple telehealth videoconferencing to complicated robotic surgeries enabled by the bandwidth capabilities of mmWave.

Plus, the 5G latency of the mmWave means that input delays and file sharing times are at all-time lows to preserve patient health.

Entertainment and immersive technologies

While entertainment experiences are continuously improving, their bandwidth needs are increasing at the same rate. 5G mmWave technology allows for these bandwidth-heavy entertainment platforms to perform well even in densely populated environments.

From lag-free AR/VR playback to immersive experiences, mmWave enables real-time feedback to keep your business glitch-free. Plus, the ultra-low latency of mmWave allows more connections with fewer interruptions.

Transportation and manufacturing

mmWave enables autonomous vehicles in the transportation industry to perform without delays due to fast, reliable connections. And given the massive bandwidth capabilities of mmWave, in manufacturing, smart factories with IoT technologies—devices that connect with each other to relay information in real time—can function as intended.

Once your product is created, mmWave can connect thousands of devices to give you shipping updates in real time, enabling more accurate forecasting and delivery timelines to keep your business moving. That means you can create your product and transport it in the most efficient way by relying on a fast, low-latency internet connection with mmWave.

Industries across the spectrum can benefit from the reliable speeds of 5G mmWave. But that doesn’t mean that implementing it comes without some challenges. Fortunately, these challenges can be managed by connecting with a 5G professional to optimize your internet solutions.

Businesses are already leveraging the fast speeds and low latency of mmWave to create innovative products and services while improving their efficiency and customer satisfaction.

And beyond simply increasing network speeds for traditional businesses, mmWave is playing a growing role in next-gen technologies like IoT-integrated factories, immersive entertainment experiences, real-time file sharing, and more across nearly every industry.

From smart cities and healthcare providers to manufacturing and transportation, the future of 5G is using 5G mmWave to decrease downtimes, connect in real time, and improve business outcomes.

While implementing new technologies can come with challenges, like the expense of the initial infrastructure, the growing network of mmWave connections means your ability to harness the fast speeds of the full range of 5G technologies increases every day.

More connection points mean fewer line-of-sight barriers to implementing mmWave full time. 

With its benefits and transformative potential, 5G mmWave is a natural step for your business. Plus, when pairing it with fiber, you can benefit from ultra-fast speeds and reliable connections across a spectrum of needs.

Learn more about how our 5G business solutions can help you innovate or contact your AT&T Business representative.

See how ultra-fast, reliable fiber, protected by built-in security, and 5G connectivity give you a new level of confidence in the possibilities of your network. Let our experts work with you to solve your challenges and accelerate outcomes. Your business deserves the AT&T Business difference—a new standard for networking.