5G is a big redesign of not just the wireless part, but also the wired backbone network that connects cell sites.

It‘s edge computing, which is a cool-sounding way to say that there are way more Internet servers spread much more densely; as a result, data requests arrive faster.

The idea is that the speed of light is actually slow enough to cause perceptible lag if your Internet data requests have to go several states or countries away and then back again, so handling those requests with servers located geographically close to you greatly reduced latency

The logistical issue with edge computing is that all those servers have to have duplicated information that they not only keep up-to-date amongst themselves, but they also all need to be capable of the storage & processing power of a full-fledged traditional data center.

But once 5G edge computing is fully matured, you’re going to see websites that are as snappy as native apps. Instantaneous responses instead of tap, wait a moment, tap, wait a moment, etc.

The killer use case for ultra low latency, of course, is self-driving vehicles. Because if mobile data is snappy enough, it’s practical and preferable to control vehicles remotely.

(“But what if the connection dies??” The vehicles will stop, duh. Lmao this isn’t hard)

Ultra low latency high speed mobile data would also make it possible for surgeons to remotely perform surgery on patients in ambulances, instead of the patients having to survive until they get to the O.R.