According to the publishers, the book explains in detail why the vision of 5G is flawed. That rather than heralding a huge advance in global connectivity, as anticipated, users will simply not value the higher data rates promised and will not need the higher capacity forecast.

He argues that the vision is also flawed because mobile operators are not profitable enough to afford it, and technological advances are also insufficient to deliver it. He writes:

“The visions are too utopian. Achieving them would require astonishing break-throughs in radio technology and for subscribers to be prepared to significantly increase their spending. Both are heroic assumptions. In practice, most visions can be adequately achieved with existing technology such as evolved 4G, evolving Wi-Fi and emerging IoT technologies.”

“The future is uncertain, and requirements or services may well emerge that result in a different industry than seen today. But until that happens, 5G investment cannot be justified.”

A better connected future

He also sets out a proposition for a better connected future.

“Despite the clearly flawed case for 5G, it is not in the interests of any of the stakeholders to point this out because they all benefit from the interest, funding and potential that 5G promises,” says Webb.

“But there is an alternative vision where industry focuses on consistent connectivity everywhere rather than unnecessarily fast speeds in city centres.”

Note that the concluding chapter of 5G Myth is available as a free download. You can buy it online from Abebooks, among other places.

5G Myth Book details

Title: The 5G Myth: And why consistent connectivity is a better future
Paperback: 148 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Edition: 1st edition (22 Nov. 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1540465810
ISBN-13: 978-1540465818
RRP: £23.93

About the author

Professor William Webb, who has published 14 books and 18 patents, is a deputy chair at CW (Cambridge Wireless) and CEO of the Weightless SIG. He is also Visiting Professor at the 5G Innovation Centre at Surrey University, Southampton University and Trinity College in Dublin, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the IEEE and the IET.

He was the IET President for the 2014/2015 term, and he has a first class honours degree in electronics, a PhD and an MBA and two honorary doctorates.