The world is gearing up for 5G, the next generation wireless technology that promises to go beyond phones and link up everything from vehicles to household devices, or anything else with an Internet connection at far greater speeds.
Qatar is racing ahead on the path to 5G; with the country’s prominent telecom operator Ooredoo announcing the world’s first having 5G New Radio (NR) with commercial equipment suitable for business customers.
At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona recently, Ooredoo announced its first-in-the-region speeds of 2.3 Gbps with 3.5 ms latency. By using Ooredoo 5G spectrum at 3.5 GHz, Ooredoo will continue to expand the footprint of 5G.
Ultra-fast 5G networks, already in Qatar, double the speed of current 4G network. 
5G is expected to transform daily lives, organisations, and industry verticals benefiting the speed and ultra-low latency. Applications of 5G could include autonomous vehicles, robotic surgery, and augmented and virtual reality sports.
Unlike 2G, 3G and 4G wireless that focused on mobile phones, the proponents of 5G say it offers faster, more stable connections for cars, homes, factories and offices.
5G promoters also say it can deliver data 10 times or more faster than 4G and cut latency, the lag-time when data is sent or received. As well offering new applications, extra speed makes it easier to store data in the cloud instead of on a device.
Expanding 5G could mean capital expenditure rising to 16 to 17% of revenues generated by the mobile industry from 2020, up from 15% now, Mats Granryd, director general of the global trade body GSMA told Reuters.
Also, analysts don’t expect 5G compatible smartphones to be become widely available until the second half of 2019.
GSMA, which represents nearly 800 operators and some 300 suppliers, forecasts capital expenditure (capex) on mobile networks worldwide would be $500bn over the three years between 2018 to 2020. 
To find the extra cash for the 5G rollout, operators seem weighing on the option of shutting down 2G and 3G networks to reduce the costs of running multiple networks and to free up spectrum for 5G.
GSMA forecast 4G would still account for more than half of mobile subscriptions in 2025, while 5G would only be at 14%.
Ooredoo has been heavily investing in testing and upgrading its Supernet network in 2017, to ensure that Qatar has access to the latest mobile Internet speeds and technology. A large part of this investment has been working with world-class partners to develop and test 5G technologies leading up to standardisation and commercial availability in the future. 
Qatar’s other telecom service provider, Vodafone also said earlier that it will be “one of the fastest adopters” of 5G service. The leading telecom company, however, has not publicly stated on any timeframe for 5G rollout in Qatar.
Ultra-fast 5G certainly beckons, but among industry insiders, the debate is now centred on whether 5G will deliver on all the promises its most excited proponents have made and how much they can provide for the new technology that calls for heavy investment and research and development.