One of the most anticipated developments in telecommunications has been the coming of 5G networks. It’s a technology we have been keeping an eye on—and will continue to do so—as it is likely to have a number of important ramifications for the print industry, both good and bad. Future commentary will look at 5G and its impact on other aspects of print, but for this article, we will look at the potential implications of 5G for the signage industry.

“What we know about 5G is that it’s going to be disruptive,” says Dexter Johnson,  contributing editor for the flagship publication of the Institute for Electronic and Electrical Engineers (IEEE), IEEE Spectrum. Johnson is the author of a recent white paper published by the International Sign Association (ISA) called 5G in Signage Technology. “I think 5G is going to change how people entertain themselves through video. It will be important for signs to be involved.” In the white paper, he also talks at length about a “Smart Cities” concept enabled by 5G.

Before we gaze into the future, let’s have a look at the past. What were Gs 1–4 and how does 5G compare?