5G and Wireless Networks

5G (fifth generation) wireless networks deliver speeds up to 10 Gbps (100x faster than 4G), latency under 1 millisecond (compared to 4G's 30-50 ms), and support for 1 million devices per square kilometer. These capabilities enable applications impossible on 4G: real-time remote surgery, autonomous vehicle coordination, industrial IoT at scale, and augmented reality without perceptible lag. The 5G geopolitical competition — primarily between Huawei (China's telecommunications giant) and Western alternatives (Ericsson, Nokia) — has become one of the most consequential technology disputes in history. The US banned Huawei from its networks and pressured allies to do the same; Huawei responded by developing its own chip ecosystem after TSMC was prohibited from supplying it. The control of 5G infrastructure is seen as strategically critical for economic and security reasons.