Apple wins permission to start testing 5G for future iPhones & other devices

Apple has secured a U.S. Federal Communications Commission license to test 5G cellular, setting the stage for the technology arriving in future iPhones and iPads, and likely other products as well.

As anticipated Apple will test on the 28 and 39 gigahertz commercial bands, DSLReports said on Thursday. The company will conduct millimeter wave experiments in two places near its offices in Milpitas, Calif.

"These assessments will provide engineering data relevant to the operation of devices on wireless carriers' future 5G networks," Apple said in its original application.

While a 2018 "iPhone 9" is probably Apple's main interest, the bandwidth possible with the technology — upwards of 1 gigabit per second — may help support more radical hardware. The company is for example rumored to be working on augmented reality glasses, which would benefit from high-speed data tracking and overlays.

The company is also developing its own self-driving car platform, possibly even a full-fledged vehicle. 5G could ensure instant access to vital navigation data and sync with other cars on the road.

11 Comments

tallest skil 43086 comments · 14 Years

About 7 years ago

AppleInsider said:

While a 2018 "iPhone 9”

You mean 2020 iPhone 9. :p

10th iPhone: iPhone 7: 2016
11th iPhone: iPhone 7S: 2017
12th iPhone: iPhone 8: 2018
13th iPhone: iPhone 8S: 2019
14th iPhone: iPhone 9: 2020

After all, when are the telecoms even thinking about beginning 5G rollout? It may well be 2020 before we see it.

Roger_Fingas 148 comments · 8 Years

tallest skil said:

AppleInsider said:

While a 2018 "iPhone 9”

You mean 2020 iPhone 9. :p

10th iPhone: iPhone 7: 2016
11th iPhone: iPhone 7S: 2017
12th iPhone: iPhone 8: 2018
13th iPhone: iPhone 8S: 2019
14th iPhone: iPhone 9: 2020

After all, when are the telecoms even thinking about beginning 5G rollout? It may well be 2020 before we see it.

Actually, Apple is rumored to be putting out three phones this year - the "iPhone 7s," "7s Plus," and "8."

It's true that 5G won't see wide deployment for a long time, but other phonemakers are already beginning support.

Roger_Fingas said:
Actually, Apple is rumored to be putting out three phones this year - the "iPhone 7s," "7s Plus," and "8."

Oh, right! I remember that rumor now. Remember when the iPhone 4S and 5 came out at the same time? :p
It's true that 5G won't see wide deployment for a long time, but other phonemakers are already beginning support.
Oh, is the standard finalized? Or is it just another case of Samsung hopping on a bandwagon before everyone else (cough4Gcough)?

doozydozen 539 comments · 11 Years

Roger_Fingas said:

tallest skil said:

AppleInsider said:

While a 2018 "iPhone 9”

You mean 2020 iPhone 9. :p

10th iPhone: iPhone 7: 2016
11th iPhone: iPhone 7S: 2017
12th iPhone: iPhone 8: 2018
13th iPhone: iPhone 8S: 2019
14th iPhone: iPhone 9: 2020

After all, when are the telecoms even thinking about beginning 5G rollout? It may well be 2020 before we see it.

Actually, Apple is rumored to be putting out three phones this year - the "iPhone 7s," "7s Plus," and "8."

It's true that 5G won't see wide deployment for a long time, but other phonemakers are already beginning support.

Do you really think Apple will ditch their globally known nomenclature so that they can name the 10th anniversary model "iphone 8?" And for what marketing reason would that support? Why didn't Apple name the iPhone SE instead with a numeric value? I just cannot for the life of me understand why so many people, including tech journalists, believe the 10th anniversary model will get the name iPhone 8. It's a Special Edition, not a regular edition. Use some critical thinking, ugh. (Yes, I just cannot wait to eat crow if I'm wrong).