Join Josh and Austin as they answer the question on everyone’s minds: How Fast is 5G?! They dive into discussion about the history of the cellular technology, Qualcomm, and even debunk some 5G conspiracy theories. If you’re interested in learning about how 5G compares to the OG technology… listen now!
Main Talking Points
[1:24] – Who is Qualcomm?
[2:54] – What is 5G?
[4:17] – Walking Through the Gs
[7:27] – How Fast is 5G?
[9:25] – Where is 5G Being Used Now?
[11:28] – Dad Joke of the Week
[12:10] – How Will 5G Effect the Economy?
[15:11] – Do You Need a New Phone to be 5G Compatible?
[16:14] – 5G Conspiracy Theories – DEBUNKED!
[18:28] – 6G
[19:40] – How Can You Invest in 5G?
[21:34] – ETFs
[22:46] – Should You Invest in 5G Related Investments?
Links & Resources
Everything You Need to Know About 5G – Qualcomm
022: The Internet of Things – The Invested Dads
031: ETFs vs Mutual Funds – The Invested Dads
034: Chips – No We Aren’t Talking Lays – The Invested Dads
Invest With Us – The Invested Dads
Free Guide: 8 Timeless Principles of Investing
Social Media
Full Transcript
Intro:
Welcome to The Invested Dads Podcast, simplifying financial topics, so that you can take action and make your financial situation better. Helping you to understand the current world of financial planning and investments. Here are your hosts, Josh Robb and Austin Wilson.
Austin Wilson:
All right. Hey, hey, hey. Welcome back to Invested Dads Podcast, where we take you on a journey to better your financial future. Today, we are going to be talking about bump, bump, bump, bump 5G technology.
Josh Robb:
The newest technology on the block.
Austin Wilson:
It has those Gs. Anyway.
Josh Robb:
I prefer the OG.
Austin Wilson:
The OG.
Josh Robb:
The OG technology.
Austin Wilson:
Okay, okay. Which is?
Josh Robb:
The cup with the string.
Austin Wilson:
You could be-
Josh Robb:
That’s the OG.
Austin Wilson:
… G unit.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
So, we’re going to talk about 5G.
Josh Robb:
Yeah. So, the first question is, what is 5G?
Austin Wilson:
What is 5G? Well, first of all-
Josh Robb:
Is there really five different words that start with G that get you this-
Austin Wilson:
It could be.
Josh Robb:
… Grouping?
Austin Wilson:
I didn’t bring out what’s the word? Is a dictionary that you use that has all the letters.
Josh Robb:
The dictionary has-
Austin Wilson:
I was thinking thesaurus.
Josh Robb:
Thesaurus.
Austin Wilson:
Synonym.
Josh Robb:
That’s for all the different words that relate.
Austin Wilson:
I didn’t bring that book. So, there are probably more than 5Gs in there.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
But we’re going to talk about, as it relates to cell phone technologies specifically, and yeah. So, let’s talk about this. So, first of all I found this fantastic article which I’ll link in the show notes.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
On Qualcomm’s website explaining this very topic and they have some really good questions to ask and some thoughts around this.
[1:24] – Who is Qualcomm?
Josh Robb:
Yeah. First question is who’s Qualcomm?
Austin Wilson:
That’s a great question.
Josh Robb:
First question.
Austin Wilson:
Well first of all, they’re a major cell phone chip manufacturer, and specifically they build or have the IP, the intellectual property. To nearly all the cell service related chips in smartphones worldwide. So, your phone, if you’re old, like me and have a 4G phone.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
The cell service for 4G that your phone sends and receives, is using Qualcomm technology.
Josh Robb:
Yup.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah.
Josh Robb:
And, the key there is all these new phones are backwards compatible.
Austin Wilson:
Correct?
Josh Robb:
Meaning they can go on the older networks.
Austin Wilson:
Yes.
Josh Robb:
Because what if I’m in a spot that doesn’t have 5G or 4G, if I’m out in the boondocks and it’s 3G. Oh man.
Austin Wilson:
Oh man.
Josh Robb:
So slow.
Austin Wilson:
Well, that’s just it. So, that’s how Qualcomm made a name for itself was in 3G technology.
Josh Robb:
Yup. They had all the technology.
Austin Wilson:
They had the 3G technology, and 4G and 5G have built on that technology. So, because they’re backwards compatible, they are getting royalties.
Josh Robb:
Oh man.
Austin Wilson:
For days.
Josh Robb:
Oh man.
Austin Wilson:
And you know, it was a year or so ago. They settled a big dispute with Apple on these things.
Josh Robb:
And, China didn’t like it.
Austin Wilson:
China doesn’t… It’s just, it’s a whole mess. So, that’s Qualcomm.
Josh Robb:
Qualcomm.
Austin Wilson:
And they-
Josh Robb:
So, they should know a little bit about-
Austin Wilson:
Oh, they know a little bit.
Josh Robb:
… 5G because they invented the 1st G.
Austin Wilson:
Well the 3rd G.
Josh Robb:
The 3rd G. Okay.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah.
Josh Robb:
Did they just skip one and two and just went to 3G?
Austin Wilson:
No, I’m going to get there.
Josh Robb:
Okay.
Austin Wilson:
You clearly don’t read our notes before we talk.
Josh Robb:
I want to surprise everybody, but they showed up at 3G.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah.
Josh Robb:
So, they just jumped in at 3G.
Austin Wilson:
They were like, “I don’t need you, 1 and 2Gs.”
[2:54] – What is 5G?
Josh Robb:
Boring. Okay. What is 5G?
Austin Wilson:
Okay. That is the question.
Josh Robb:
That is.
Austin Wilson:
So, 5G is the fifth generations. 5G, 5th generation.
Josh Robb:
Oh Gs for generation.
Austin Wilson:
Oh, you get it.
Josh Robb:
Oh, not good.
Austin Wilson:
Of mobile network.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
So, mobile phones. So, it’s a new global wireless standard. And it came after one, two, three and 4G networks. And, this enables a new network that is designed to connect really everyone and everything together, including machines, objects, devices, people, not literally people, but people through their devices.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
So, that’s where that is at. And, it’s meant to deliver higher multi gigabyte per second data speeds, really fast data and really low latency. So, if you’re using internet of things for autonomous vehicles.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
We’re going to talk about some of these things later. It’s really good for that. It has huge capacity on the network, should be available in a lot of different areas, and really bring a uniform experience to users. So, really the keys are higher performance, improved efficiency, that is going to make 5G different than 4G.
Josh Robb:
All right. Now, is this the 1st G that has conspiracy theories attached to it?
Austin Wilson:
Oh, we’re going to debunk those, later.
Josh Robb:
I know, but is this the first one? I don’t remember hearing 4G but.
Austin Wilson:
It has to. There are some crazy people all over the place.
Josh Robb:
Maybe even the 1st G you’re like, “Oh, this is horrible.”
Austin Wilson:
Well, whenever you started, you got away from the tin can and the rope. After that, the conspiracy theory started.
Josh Robb:
This is a witchcraft.
Austin Wilson:
How can I talk to you if I’m not standing next to you? Do I have to yell really loud?
Josh Robb:
I know.
[4:17] – Walking Through the Gs
Austin Wilson:
So let’s talk about the Gs.
Josh Robb:
Show me from… Now honestly they didn’t call the 1st G, 1st G.
Austin Wilson:
No,
Josh Robb:
Because they didn’t Know there’s other generations coming.
Austin Wilson:
Exactly.
Josh Robb:
Like, The World War I wasn’t called World War I.
Austin Wilson:
It was just.
Josh Robb:
Everybody’s like-
Austin Wilson:
The World War.
Josh Robb:
… Is this foreshadowing for a second one.
Austin Wilson:
I know.
Josh Robb:
So, yeah. So, the first generation came out when?
Austin Wilson:
Your era.
Josh Robb:
My era.
Austin Wilson:
The 1980s was 1G. Because, that was the beginning of mobile phones in general.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
And so when that technology… That gave analog voice transmission capabilities-
Josh Robb:
Yep.
Austin Wilson:
… To wireless devices.
Josh Robb:
Yep. I remember. And this probably would’ve been the late eighties because I can remember it, but my grandpa had a cell phone in his car, but it was in his car.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah it was a car phone.
Josh Robb:
It was a giant box.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah.
Josh Robb:
But I would assume that would be probably using this first generation analog. That was the coolest thing to me.
Austin Wilson:
I know.
Josh Robb:
I was like, “Well, where’s the string go?” Where’s the wire that goes connects to-
Austin Wilson:
I know.
Josh Robb:
You just drive around with the early long wire, mind blown.
Austin Wilson:
So, let’s step into my generation.
Josh Robb:
Ah, yes.
Austin Wilson:
The early 90s.
Josh Robb:
Early 90s.
Austin Wilson:
Introduce 2G.
Josh Robb:
2G.
Austin Wilson:
And 2G and it converted the analog voice of 1G into digital voice,
Josh Robb:
Ah, digital.
Austin Wilson:
And that’s really the difference there, is that it became an analog signal, turned into a digital signal.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
In the early nineties. Skip ahead another decade.
Josh Robb:
Oh, it seems like every decade.
Austin Wilson:
I know.
Josh Robb:
Huh?
Austin Wilson:
The early 2000s brought 3G.
Josh Robb:
3G.
Austin Wilson:
And that was a game changer. And that’s where Qualcomm made their name.
Josh Robb:
Mobile data.
Austin Wilson:
Mobile data. Finally, you were able to connect your phone, and even then it was flip phones. I had a flip phone, which-
Josh Robb:
Oh yeah.
Austin Wilson:
… You could have used data, I wasn’t allowed because it wasn’t on our plan.
Josh Robb:
Oh yeah.
Austin Wilson:
Would’ve been expensive, but yeah, it would’ve gotten a mobile browser or whatever and it would’ve been really slow and terrible.
Josh Robb:
Oh yeah.
Austin Wilson:
But it would’ve had it.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
So, that was 3G, was mobile data. And then the 2010s.
Josh Robb:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
Austin Wilson:
I’m thinking probably, this probably would’ve came out in 2012, 2013.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
In there. 4G was the big thing.
Josh Robb:
4G. And so fast.
Austin Wilson:
The 4G was lightning fast. It’s just really-
Josh Robb:
Watch video.
Austin Wilson:
You could watch video, download music, do all these things. And that’s what, I mean most people are probably still using today-
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
… Is 4G technology and we’re going to get to where 5G is in terms of rollout, but yeah. 4G was a big deal. So, these all led up to.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
They all incrementally got better and led up to where we are today, which is a unified, a more capable air interface for mobile data.
Josh Robb:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
Austin Wilson:
That’s where we are right now. So like I said, extended capacity.
Josh Robb:
Yep.
Austin Wilson:
More speed.
Josh Robb:
More speed.
Austin Wilson:
New deployment models and new services because it’s all faster and has lower latency. And, reliability is a key factor that 5G is supposed to have because even with 4G, it was hit or miss in certain rural areas and stuff like that. Eventually, this expanded ecosystem is going to be a little bit better for that. And again, internet of things, think something we’re going to talk about, but that is a big thing. Connecting all kinds of devices together in real time.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
5G is what’s up there I guess.
[7:27] – How Fast is 5G?
Josh Robb:
Awesome. So, we mentioned it, 4G was that you could actually start doing things with it. 3G was-
Austin Wilson:
Yeah.
Josh Robb:
… You could send some texts and be happy, but 5G, how fast is 5G?
Austin Wilson:
So it’s designed to deliver peak data rates up to 20 gigabytes per second.
Josh Robb:
Does G stand for gigabytes.
Austin Wilson:
Nope. Generation.
Josh Robb:
Oh man. I keep asking, Every time I see a G I’m going to ask.
Austin Wilson:
So, 20 gigabytes per second. And so, again I mentioned Qualcomm.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
Their flagship 5G solutions chip is called the Snapdragon 65.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
It’s a big deal. It is designed to achieve up to 10 gigabytes per second. And that already is about 500 times faster than 4G.
Josh Robb:
Five hundred times.
Austin Wilson:
So, the anticipation that is, as technology gets better, it should actually double from where it’s at.
Josh Robb:
So, 5G is designed to have a peak data use of 20 gigabytes and Qualcomm is saying, they can think they can get 10.
Austin Wilson:
Right now.
Josh Robb:
So, there’s capacity that they could keep improving this and that 5G can handle. It’s not like you need to get the 6Gs because we’re not peaking.
Austin Wilson:
We’re going to talk about 6G.
Josh Robb:
No way. You can’t bring 6th gen.
Austin Wilson:
I know, I know. Let’s skip five.
Josh Robb:
Oh man.
Austin Wilson:
Let’s just go to six. Isn’t that what.
Josh Robb:
So, 20 gigabytes that’s pretty good.
Austin Wilson:
20 gigabytes per second. Now we’re actually-
Josh Robb:
10 gigabytes.
Austin Wilson:
… We’re about 10 now, but we’re still 10, 500 times faster-
Josh Robb:
Than 4G.
Austin Wilson:
… Than 4G now. So, that will theoretically then be a thousand times faster than 4G win, at end of the development cycle right before 6G launches probably.
Josh Robb:
So, I can stream faster that gummy bear song my daughter loves listening to.
Austin Wilson:
Well I’m just like, at some point the speed is irrelevant.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
Because, humans aren’t going to notice a difference. It’s the difference between a 1080 video, and a 4K, video and an 8K video.
Josh Robb:
Oh geez. Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
Your eyes can’t tell, anything over 10K or over 1080 is like, “Oh wow. It looks great.”
Josh Robb:
It’s crisp.
Austin Wilson:
So, it’s again, it’s going to be incremental at that point, but that is how fast 5G is.
Josh Robb:
That’s that is quick, quick 5G.
Austin Wilson:
It’s pretty quick.
Josh Robb:
So it’s fast.
Austin Wilson:
It’s fast.
Josh Robb:
It’s more reliable.
Austin Wilson:
Yep.
Josh Robb:
And, it has a broader appeal in that. It can be more places. It sounds like.
Austin Wilson:
That is the plan eventually. Yep.
[9:25] – Where is 5G Being Used Now?
Josh Robb:
So, where is it being used now?
Austin Wilson:
So, generally speaking in terms of not geographical areas, but types of usage.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
There are three main areas, that it is being used in the way it’s being designed.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
Number one is enhanced mobile broadband is what we’re talking about now.
Josh Robb:
Yes. That what is what everybody will think about.
Austin Wilson:
It’s what everyone. Yeah, you’re going to see 5G on the corner of your phone and it’s mobile internet.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
Right? So, that’s number one. So, it’s going to make our smartphone better. It’s going to have more immersive experiences.
Josh Robb:
Make our smartphone smarter.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah, you’re going to have AR and VR capabilities with your phone. It’s lower latency.
Josh Robb:
What other… AR, VR?
Austin Wilson:
Yeah. Alternative reality, virtual reality.
Josh Robb:
VR.
Austin Wilson:
Just all those letters, but it’s also going to be… I mean, compared to what you’re getting performance wise, lower cost per piece of data, because you’re a lot faster for… I mean, you’re essentially the bills on all these small smartphone, the data suppliers, Verizons, the Spectrums, the AT&T’s. Your Bill is the same, whether you’re using 4G or 5G, pretty much so.
Josh Robb:
But they’re making money on it.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah, of course, of course.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
So, that’s where it’s out there. Another one is mission critical communications.
Josh Robb:
Mmm.
Austin Wilson:
So, this is new services that can transform industries with ultra reliable available low latency key, their links to remote control of critical infrastructure, vehicles, medical procedures. Imagine those remote surgeons.
Josh Robb:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
Austin Wilson:
You can be sitting. If you have 5G internet between the two places,
Josh Robb:
You don’t have to worry about a delay.
Austin Wilson:
You don’t have any lag or latency. You’re literally using that little robot to perform a surgery-
Josh Robb:
Crazy.
Austin Wilson:
… With no lag, that’s crazy.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
As well as autonomous vehicles is a thing there. So, if they’re sending data back and forth.
Josh Robb:
The only time you want no lag is if you do like a foot amputation, then you’d want no leg.
Austin Wilson:
No leg.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
And I mentioned it before, but internet of things is a big thing-
Josh Robb:
Ah, yeah.
Austin Wilson:
… With 5G. So, it’s really meant to seamlessly connect a massive number of sensors and virtually everything.
Josh Robb:
Meta.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah, exactly. And, really just connect all devices at once. And if you want to know more about internet of technology in general, we do have an episode. We talked about that, we’ll link that in the show notes as well.
[11:28] – Dad Joke of the Week
Josh Robb:
Yes. All right. So, since we’re talking about 5G.
Austin Wilson:
We are.
Josh Robb:
I have a dad joke for you.
Austin Wilson:
Bring it.
Josh Robb:
Yes. Why don’t skeletons, like cell phones?
Austin Wilson:
I don’t know.
Josh Robb:
Because they have nobody to call.
Austin Wilson:
Nobody to call. I was going with something about skin, but I like nobody.
Josh Robb:
Nobody to call.
Austin Wilson:
Nobody to call. That’s just you.
Josh Robb:
That’s just me. I also have nobody on my friend’s list, so it’s all right.
Austin Wilson:
Hello. This is Josh Rob.
Josh Robb:
Hello.
Austin Wilson:
This is how you answer the phone.
Josh Robb:
That’s how you answer the phone. You got to know who you’re talking.
Austin Wilson:
I know it’s my wife, but I’m going to-
Josh Robb:
Built in caller ID. It’s automatic.
Austin Wilson:
Say it anyway. So yeah, that is 5G. And that’s a good joke, Josh.
[12:10] – How Will 5G Effect the Economy?
Josh Robb:
Thank you. So, 5G new, new, new, new, Brand new.
Austin Wilson:
All the Gs.
Josh Robb:
Brand new. How is this going to affect the US economy and globally? What are we seeing here
Austin Wilson:
Yeah. Well it’s driving global growth for one. According to Qualcomm, they anticipate about $13.1 trillion of global economic output related to upgrading from 4G to 5G.
Josh Robb:
Ooh.
Austin Wilson:
A trillion, 13 trillion.
Josh Robb:
Wow.
Austin Wilson:
22.8 million new jobs created and 265 billion of 5G capital expenditures and research and development, annually.
Josh Robb:
Oh boy.
Austin Wilson:
Over the next 15 years.
Josh Robb:
Wow.
Austin Wilson:
That’s a lot.
Josh Robb:
That says they build that out and adapt and-
Austin Wilson:
Absolutely. So, they think that the full economic effect is really going to be realized across the globe by 2035.
Josh Robb:
Ah, okay.
Austin Wilson:
Which is going to support a wide range of industries, potentially enabling up to $13.1 trillion worth of goods. That’s what we talked about earlier. So, pretty big deal.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
Lots of different areas of the market are going to be involved too. So, the study that this article I was reading, it was referencing, revealed that the 5G value chain, which included original equipment manufacturers, operators, content, creators, app developers, and consumers.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
Again, could a loan support up to 22.8 million jobs.
Josh Robb:
Wow.
Austin Wilson:
That’s more than one job for every person in Beijing, China. As a reference, to a large city.
Josh Robb:
Yeah. Big number.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah.
Josh Robb:
There’s a lot of people that live there.
Austin Wilson:
It’s absolutely huge. So, only time’s really going to tell, how 5G really impacts, but there are… The anticipation right now is that it should have a large impact on.
Josh Robb:
So you mentioned it, your phone’s old. It does not get 4G.
Austin Wilson:
It gets 4G.
Josh Robb:
Not 5G.
Austin Wilson:
Correct.
Josh Robb:
My phone is also dated with no 5G capabilities, but is it available?
Austin Wilson:
It is in most major Metro areas in the US and around the world, 5G is available.
Josh Robb:
Okay.
Austin Wilson:
In fact.
Josh Robb:
I guess we’re the micro-
Austin Wilson:
Micropolitan.
Josh Robb:
The number one micropolitan in the United States. That’s why we have 5G. That’s why we have 5G.
Austin Wilson:
We will have 5G. We don’t have it.
Josh Robb:
Yeah we do. We have 5G.
Austin Wilson:
When?
Josh Robb:
Right now, I guarantee you, my wife got a newer iPhone. And, when we came into town after a trip, she’s like, “Oh 5G.”
Austin Wilson:
Oh really?
Josh Robb:
We have 5G, apparently.
Austin Wilson:
I thought you had to go to the big city of Toledo to get that.
Josh Robb:
I think it’s close enough where we pick it up.
Austin Wilson:
Oh, dang.
Josh Robb:
It shows on her little phone there. Like you said, 5G.
Austin Wilson:
Spectrum mobile?
Josh Robb:
She’s on spectrum.
Austin Wilson:
That’s right?
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
That’s what I use too.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
So, yes it is available in most major metro areas and being added-
Josh Robb:
And number one micro.
Austin Wilson:
… Constantly including Findlay, Ohio. But yeah. New locations are getting added continuously. Eventually it’s going to be everywhere 4G is, but we’re still not quite there yet.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
It just has only been rolling out for a year or so.
Josh Robb:
Yeah. So, I don’t know when it showed up because she probably… She just told me one day that she had 5G on her phone. That was pretty exciting.
Austin Wilson:
She got a new phone without, but you didn’t even know.
Josh Robb:
No she’s had the phone, but when she got the phone it was 4G.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Josh Robb:
And then at one point she said, “Oh 5G.” So I don’t know when it showed up or what, but she mentioned it.
Austin Wilson:
She probably like, “That coco melon video downloaded so fast.”
[15:11] – Do You Need a New Phone to be 5G Compatible?
Josh Robb:
It was so quick. All right. So, we mentioned it though. Do you need a new phone for this to work?
Austin Wilson:
Absolutely. Unless you got your phone really since 2021, 2021 or sooner, you probably need a new phone. And, that’s because the chips that are built into it, the specifically Qualcomms.
Josh Robb:
You have no Snapdragons.
Austin Wilson:
You do not Snapdragons in there. You need to train your dragon.
Josh Robb:
Yes. To snaps.
Austin Wilson:
To snap. But you also are going to need a new 5G SIM card, is the ticket. So even if you get a brand new phone from your 4G phone to your 5G one, you put your SIM card in. It’ll probably work on 4G.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
But you’re going to need to call your provider and say, “Can you give me a new card?” And they’re going to say, “Yes.”
Josh Robb:
Those things, what do they put on them. Because, they’re the size of my little pinky.
Austin Wilson:
I don’t know.
Josh Robb:
Pinky nail.
Austin Wilson:
I don’t even know.
Josh Robb:
And they’re tiny.
Austin Wilson:
I don’t know.
Josh Robb:
Those are the things that, and they’re, I don’t know. They’re so tiny, but they-
Austin Wilson:
And, they don’t care about them either they throw them away. They just tell you, throw it away when you get your new one.
Josh Robb:
There’s got to be something in here.
Austin Wilson:
You can recycle that, there’s some precious metals.
Josh Robb:
Technology, right?
Austin Wilson:
Precious metals.
[16:14] – 5G Conspiracy Theories – DEBUNKED!
Josh Robb:
Start to scrape them out. And say, make a little pile of gold. All right. So, I mentioned before 5G, there’s been some rumors.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah.
Josh Robb:
Of some conspiracy theories, or things happening with 5G.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah.
Josh Robb:
Walk me through that.
Austin Wilson:
So, let’s debunk a couple rumors. So first of all, 5G technology has nothing to do with COVID 19. It does not-
Josh Robb:
Different numbers.
Austin Wilson:
It’s very different. A 5 and 19, not even the same.
Josh Robb:
Can’t even divide it.
Austin Wilson:
Doesn’t transmit the virus and there’s no data to support these frequencies of any impact on your immune system.
Josh Robb:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
Austin Wilson:
So, that’s number one. Number two, COVID 19 vaccines, don’t contain microchips that are 5G technology. Like people feared.
Josh Robb:
Bummer.
Austin Wilson:
I know. Could have been on the internet of things, but they’ve been-
Josh Robb:
It could have been the internet of things.
Austin Wilson:
They absolutely do not contain micro chips.
Josh Robb:
Okay.
Austin Wilson:
So if you hear that, you’re hearing crazy things.
Josh Robb:
Okay.
Austin Wilson:
Another one is there is no evidence that it causes cancer or any other issues, any more than other wireless wave technology.
Josh Robb:
Right. There’s a lot of things floating around right now.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah.
Josh Robb:
And.
Austin Wilson:
This is faster and more, but this isn’t new… There’s all kinds of radio waves, and radio frequencies, and microwaves, and stuff going all around. It’s not any more causing of issues than any other one.
Josh Robb:
Yep.
Austin Wilson:
Okay. And, the latest controversy, because I think a lot of people have got their mind around those, even though.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
At the very beginning it was… People were freaking out. I think most people have gotten to the point where like, “Okay, yeah. I understand now that this is not unsafe.” The latest one is regarding aviation.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
So, there really is no evidence that 5G technology interferes with airplane instruments and the technology surrounding generally landing. However, airlines in the FAA.
Josh Robb:
Yes.
Austin Wilson:
Federal Aviation Authority. They have been pushing to get areas around major airports to be limited in their 5G rollout for fears that it would, now the cell data provider companies, they’ve been like, “We have no evidence this does anything. Why would we do that?” And they are generally compliant. That’s the latest drama around 5G.
Josh Robb:
Yeah. So, I mean, you still can’t have your phone on the plane anyways.
Austin Wilson:
Right.
Josh Robb:
So, if they haven’t fixed 1G problems on there, then maybe I don’t know. All right. So, doesn’t sound there’s any problems at least known. It’s not like it’s brand new technology. There’s expanding on an improving current technology.
Austin Wilson:
Right.
[18:28] – 6G
Josh Robb:
Gotcha. So, 5G we’re done, no more Gs?
Austin Wilson:
Nope. There’s more.
Josh Robb:
What’s next?
Austin Wilson:
6G is already coming.
Josh Robb:
6G that’s creative title.
Austin Wilson:
So, actually as of today I got an email from emerging.
Josh Robb:
The 6G.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah. 6G emailed me. Emerging Tech Brew, which is the morning brew is a morning email where you can get business and financial news. So you can sign up for that. We’re not affiliated, but hey, go check it out. It is free.
Josh Robb:
Oh there’s a referral code. You should do that.
Austin Wilson:
You get a mug or something for free.
Josh Robb:
There you go. Everybody do that.
Austin Wilson:
And then there’s an Emerging Tech Brew, which is about technology, It’s linked. It’s all the same. So, they said that 6G technologies coming, Japan has already formed a group to begin brainstorming about 6G technology. Companies like Toyota and NEC, which is a Japanese tech company are on the panel there. And, they anticipate that is going to launch in the 2030s.
Josh Robb:
Ah,
Austin Wilson:
So you might have a good decade.
Josh Robb:
And you said 2035 is when they expect it to be really fully implemented. So.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah, about the time.
Josh Robb:
… We’re going to have 6G before the last people get 5G, which is normally the case.
Austin Wilson:
That’s normally the case.
Josh Robb:
I mean, that’s not unusual.
Austin Wilson:
Yep.
Josh Robb:
Because you’re always.
Austin Wilson:
And maybe by that time you’ll get your peak data of 20 gigabytes per second speed technology.
Josh Robb:
Just in time for 6G to have 40 or whatever they’re going to do.
Austin Wilson:
It’s going to be a lot faster. That’s all we know.
[19:40] – How Can You Invest in 5G?
Josh Robb:
Yeah. So you mentioned Qualcomm, I assume they’re a publicly traded company. How else can you invest in this technology? And again, the caveat being, you do not have to take any of this as a recommendation, always look to see what makes sense in your portfolio, but here’s just some companies and or investments that track or investing in this type of stuff. So, covered all that for you.
Austin Wilson:
Thanks Josh, that was a good disclaimer. I did want to just circle right back to 6G.
Josh Robb:
Yes. 6G.
Austin Wilson:
Because 6G technologies anticipated. It would be 10 times faster than 5G.
Josh Robb:
10 times faster than 5G.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah.
Josh Robb:
Oh man. Not 500 times faster than 5G.
Austin Wilson:
No. They’re slowing down.
Josh Robb:
But still 20 times. Yeah. That’s pretty good.
Austin Wilson:
So anyway, thanks for, yeah, doing my disclaimer for me here are some options, not investment recommendations, but options of ways to get exposure to this theme. Qualcomm being a great example of this. They really are the king of the cell data technology, but Apple and Google, obviously with phone manufacturing and software and stuff, they are great ways to get exposure to that as well. American tower and Crown Castle International are cell tower companies.
Josh Robb:
Oh yeah.
Austin Wilson:
So they’re real estate investment trusts that have to do with cell technology, Verizon and AT&T are other options, obviously doing the data, providing the actual service. But, I guess I should probably point out that you probably already own a good chunk of this technology because if you own any well diversified maybe S&P 500 type investment in your 401(k), or your Roth IRA, or whatever, those names that I just mentioned alone. So one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, seven, eight names. Those represent 13% of the index. So, 13% of your portfolio has some exposure to 5G technology already.
Josh Robb:
Direct exposure.
Austin Wilson:
And that’s just those names.
Josh Robb:
Yeah.
Austin Wilson:
There’s a lot more that do. This is pretty direct hand picked exposure. So, you probably already do. Let’s just put it that way.
Josh Robb:
All right.
[21:34] – ETFs
Austin Wilson:
So let’s flip page ETFs. We talk about ETFs. If you have any questions about ETFs, what they are? How they work for some mutual funds list?
Josh Robb:
Listen to our episode.
Austin Wilson:
So, listen to our episode about it. We’ll link on the show notes, but Josh is going to like some of these tickers.
Josh Robb:
Today I have some good ones.
Austin Wilson:
There’s some good tickers. So, the First Trust Index NextG ETF, ticker NXTG.
Josh Robb:
NextG.
Austin Wilson:
That’s a good one. The iShares US Telecommunications ETF, IYZ. It’s not a very good one. Vanguard Communication Services ETF, VOX like vocals maybe.
Josh Robb:
Oh.
Austin Wilson:
The Defiance Next Gen Connectivity ETF. Here’s yours.
Josh Robb:
Ah.
Austin Wilson:
FIVG.
Josh Robb:
Oh, they nailed it.
Austin Wilson:
They nailed it. They probably paid up for that ticker.
Josh Robb:
Oh, seriously. Part where they were really early on.
Austin Wilson:
They were. They were on 3G and they bought the ticker for 5G.
Josh Robb:
It’s going to get there.
Austin Wilson:
I know Global X Internet of Things ETF, SNSR like sensor. That’s another one. And, then you could buy mutual funds in this space. And there aren’t a ton of options or a little bit less, there’re a little bit more broad generally when you’re talking mutual funds diversified. But you could get into the Fidelity Select Wireless Portfolio, that’s FWRLX.
Josh Robb:
Yep.
Austin Wilson:
Or the Fidelity Advisor Telecommunications Fund, that’s FTUVX.
Josh Robb:
Telecommunications being the-
Austin Wilson:
Telecom.
Josh Robb:
… Sector where you’re going to see a lot of this anyway.
[22:46] – Should You Invest in 5G Related Investments?
Austin Wilson:
Absolutely. So Josh, the question for you and you’ve been patiently. Waiting.
Josh Robb:
Oh.
Austin Wilson:
Patiently waiting.
Josh Robb:
Yep.
Austin Wilson:
Should you invest in 5G related investments in your portfolio?
Josh Robb:
It depends, It just.
Austin Wilson:
Oh man.
Josh Robb:
I know, surprise.
Austin Wilson:
Mind blown.
Josh Robb:
Waited all time for that.
Austin Wilson:
Never said that before.
Josh Robb:
Yeah. Like you mentioned, chances are you probably have a little exposure if you’re in a diversified portfolio, but does it fit with your overarching goals? Does it give you the results long term that you need to meet your plan? That’s the questions you may be asking. But again, chances are, this is a piece of modern technology that’s not going away. So, do you need invest direct in 5G. You really can’t. But do you need invest in companies that are advancing this technology forward? It may be a good idea to have that as part of your portfolio.
Austin Wilson:
And you probably do.
Josh Robb:
And you probably already do. So yes, should you invest in this? Sure. Why not? You probably already are.
Austin Wilson:
As always check out our free gift to you. It’s a brief list of eight principles of timeless investing. These are overarching investment themes to keep you on track, to meet your long term goals. We don’t talk about 5G, but we do talk about things that you should probably know. So check it out.
Josh Robb:
We probably have some words in there that have the letter G.
Austin Wilson:
Maybe two or three.
Josh Robb:
Maybe at least five.
Austin Wilson:
Yeah. So check that out, it’s free on our website, Josh, how can people help us grow this podcast?
Josh Robb:
Subscribe, make sure you subscribe to get our episode every Thursday.
Austin Wilson:
Every single Thursday.
Josh Robb:
Right to your device, leave us review on wherever you listen Apple Podcast, Spotify, wherever. And then, if you have any questions, shoot us an email using your 5G technology.
Austin Wilson:
Ooh.
Josh Robb:
At hello@theinvesteddads.com. And if you know somebody who loves 5G, send this episode to them.
Austin Wilson:
All right, well until next Thursday, have a great week.
Josh Robb:
All right talk to you later.
Austin Wilson:
Bye.
Outro:
Thank you for listening to the Invested Dads Podcast. This episode has ended, but your journey towards a better financial future, doesn’t have to, head over to the Investeddads.com to access all the links and resources mentioned in today’s show. If you enjoyed this episode and we had a positive impact on your life, leave us a review, click subscribe, and don’t miss the next episode. Josh Robb and Austin Wilson work for Hixon Zuercher Capital Management, all opinions expressed by Josh, Austin or any podcast guest are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Hixon Zuercher Capital Management. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. Clients of Hixon Zuercher Capital Management, may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this podcast. There is no guarantee that the statements, opinions, or forecasts provided here in, will prove to be correct. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Indices are not available for direct investment. Any investor who attempts to mimic the performance of an index, would incur fees and expenses, which would reduce returns. Securities investing involves risk. Including the potential for loss of principle. There is no assurance that any investment plan or strategy will be successful.
