5G technology is the newest development in smartphone internet connectivity. It promises much greater speeds and coverage when compared to 4G technology, with gains estimated between ten to a hundred times in comparison. 5G is claimed to be much quicker than Wi-Fi and even the fiber-optic cable, which is holding the title of the fastest Internet currently available. At the same time, 5G in its present form has many limitations, as the millimeter-long wave works well only on short-range distances and has trouble going through barriers, such as glass, stone, and trees. Most operators and smartphone providers that advertise using 5G are either using a sub-6GHz wave, which is slower than advertised, or use the 4G LTE signal instead.
As it stands, it is unlikely that 5G will replace 4G in the next decade, as 4G did with 3G when it first appeared. 5G penetration of the smartphone connectivity market is estimated to be only 15% by 2025, meaning that the majority of phones currently using 4G will likely phase out due to time constraints. In addition, unless the shortcomings of 5G would be fixed, 4G is going to remain prominent for quite some time. Lastly, the majority of 4G and 4G LTE devices would be able to utilize 5G with some software upgrades.
In the scope of the UAE and Dubai markets, the introduction of 5G will likely be more widespread than in the rest of the world. The UAE is one of the most advanced countries in the world in terms of smartphone, Wi-Fi, and mobile internet penetration. In addition, its territory and number of citizens are relatively small, meaning that 5G-supporting technologies could be implemented more easily. Lastly, the country and its populace are relatively well-off, meaning that the demand for 5G is likely to be bigger than in the rest of the world. To summarize, while it would take a decade or two for 5G to resolve its shortcomings and replace 4G as the new method of communication, the UAE is likely to reach that point sooner.