 In the final years of the 19th century, engineers, inventors, and entrepreneurs began to discover the wonders and the promise of the electromagnetic wave. It allowed for the seemingly miraculous transmission of sound over the air, an error we now refer to as zero G. More than a century later, the world is on the verge of the fifth generation of wireless technology. So what is 5G? How does it work? And how will it make your life better? The first generation of commercial wireless technology debuted in Japan in 1979 before reaching Europe and the U.S. in the early 1980s. Every decade or so since, there's been a new generation of wireless technology that's meant new guidelines, tower upgrades, chip advancements, software developments, and handset improvements, all with the promise of a faster, better way to send and receive communication. 5G will be exponentially faster than what's currently available, between 10 and 100 times faster. In 1947, engineers at Bell Labs set out to fix a problem that eventually evolved into modern cellular networks. One was divided into hexagonal cells, each with its own short-range radio tower. By the 1990s, these cellular towers were popping up across the country. In preparation for 5G, carriers are now dividing up land into much smaller cells and rigging them with clusters of tiny antennas to essentially beam a signal and a straight shot to each and every device. Many of these assemblages will be as small as a shoebox and fitted on building rooftops, telephone poles, and other existing structures in more conspicuous places than ever before. Transmit super high-frequency waves that can carry more data faster, but only travel short distances with no physical obstacles. So what does it mean for you and me? First, incredible speed, where downloading and streaming is more or less instantaneous. Autonomous cars could exchange real-time traffic alerts and communicate with stoplights. Power grids would be able to receive information from buildings and streetlights to better apportion electricity. Appliances could communicate with utility companies to save on monthly bills, and surveillance cameras will be able to stream directly to home security companies. Fast connections could revolutionize healthcare through telehealth video services. Ambulances will transmit real-time information on patients' vital signs so hospitals can prepare for their arrival. The differences between traditional TV and streaming will be minute, upending the broadcasting business that first utilized that revolutionary electromagnetic wave all those years ago. So with 5G live up to the hype, the inventors, engineers, and entrepreneurs of today are betting billions that it will.