(Photo : Reuters)

5G technology advancement is now slowly developed and introduced in Latin American countries. This is expected to help improve the technological services of the region.

Latin America first launched a 5G network in April last year in Uruguay and Puerto Rico while it was in December in Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and Aruba. 

Thirty tests were carried out in 12 countries in an attempt to establish the 5G network according to a survey conducted by the 5G Americas. 

Efforts in the establishment of the 5G network in the region were made despite the alleged espionage accused of the source provider, China. 

It was speculated that if China succeeds to impose its 5G network in the region, there is a possibility that they can control the documents, communications, archives, and other sensitive documents of the more than 600 million inhabitants living in the region.

However, according to the published article in Mexicanist, an official from Argentina who preferred not to disclose his or her name said that a framework is expected to reach in March or April and China will sit down and is expected to make promises.

Meanwhile, Uraguay used a 28 GHz band while 600 MHz in Puerto Rico when it was first launched. The main purpose of the trials last year using the 5G network was to enhanced mobile broadband. Part of the tests were the augmented reality sessions and its efficiency in the Internet of Things that connects technological services in industries and smart cities. 

Three countries carried out the most test of the 5G network. These were Brazil with 10 tests while Peru and Chile did 4 tests each. Tests need to be carried out in a country that is planning to establish 5G networks to assure its efficiency and effectiveness.

However, despite the speed of the internet and other technological services that 5G can enhance, it is also important to note that building 5G networks is very expensive. In fact, it is expected that major cities in Latin America will take 5 to 6 years before they can have the 5G network due to its operating costs.

The Vice-President and General Manager of Vertiv for Latin America also said that there is a need for a big fund in establishing the 5G network. He believes that even though there were 5G services already in Uraguay and other countries, still it will take years for other countries in the region to have it.

Garcia also mentioned during the 34th Andicom International Congress that the rest of the countries in the region that do not have yet the 5G network services will need years before they begin to have relevant coverage.

This was also supported by the representative of the world's largest company that is dedicated to ensuring operational continuity of the application. He said that one of the reasons for establishing the 5G network is its high capital investments that require infrastructure.

This is also the main reason why telecommunication companies in Latin America are very cautious in establishing their 5g network services. Garcia believes that if telecommunication companies will invest in 5G network infrastructure, they will also expect a big profit in return.

However, the present economic model in the region with all prepaid cards and billing for data do not cover it for the meantime and do not also justify it.

He also explained that cellular operators are looking for services that will mount on top or ahead compared to their competitors in an attempt to improve their network services most especially in places considered as intelligent cities.

Garcia also mentioned that: "5G cells are smaller than 4G cells, so more needs to be installed to achieve the same coverage. Also, 5G technology consumes between two and three times more energy than 3G and 4G, so the cost of operating the network will be higher."

This means that the main challenge today of the operators is how to monetize the network since the users are not willing to pay more for a higher speed.  

In conclusion, one can only imagine that China's main reason for bringing the 5G network in so close to North America is for the potential information the Chinese government could collect.