今天的文章选自《纽约时报》，关于即将到来的5G时代，你需要知道这些。

5G Is Coming This Year. Here’s What You Need to Know.

5G了解一下？

引语：The transition to new fifth-generation cellular networks, known as 5G, will affect how you use smartphones and many other devices. Let’s talk about the essentials.

5G全称是“ fifth-generation cellular networks”，第五代蜂窝网络。

cellular networks 蜂窝网络，又称移动网络（mobile network）是一种移动通信硬件架构，蜂窝网络被广泛采用的原因是源于一个数学猜想，正六边形被认为是使用最少个结点可以覆盖最大面积的图形，出于节约设备构建成本的考虑，正六边形是最好的选择。这样形成的网络覆盖在一起，形状非常象蜂窝，因此被称作蜂窝网络。

cellular 还表示“细胞的；由细胞组成的”，比如： cellular structure细胞结构；essential 作名词可表示“an important basic fact or piece of knowledge about a subject 要点；要素；实质”；比如 the essentials of English grammar 英语语法基础

In 2019, a big technology shift will finally begin. It’s a once-in-a-decade upgrade to our wireless systems that will start reaching mobile phone users in a matter of months.

once-in-a-decade：十年一次的；比如once-in-a-decade leadership transition 领导层换届in a matter of 左右，大约，大约只不过在…之内；

参考译文:2019年，一场重大的技术变革终于要开始了。这是我们无线系统十年一次的升级，大约几个月后开始覆盖手机用户。

But this is not just about faster smartphones. The transition to new fifth-generation cellular networks — known as 5G for short — will also affect many other kinds of devices, including industrial robots, security cameras, drones and cars that send traffic data to one another. This new era will leap ahead of current wireless technology, known as 4G, by offering mobile internet speeds that will let people download entire movies within seconds and most likely bring big changes to video games, sports and shopping.

security cameras监控摄像机

句子结构分析：①This new era will leap ahead of current wireless technology, ②known as 4G, ③by offering mobile internet speeds ④that will let people download entire movies within seconds ⑤and most likely bring big changes to video games, sports and shopping.

这是一个包含定语从句的复合句，①为主句，②是过去分词短语，修饰前面的“current wireless technology”，是插入成分，也相当于一个非限定性定语从句，③是介词短语作方式状语，④⑤整体是一个定语从句，修饰限定前面的speeds，⑤是定语从句的并列谓语部分。

参考译文：但不光是让智能手机变得更快。向新的第五代蜂窝网络（简称5G）的过渡，还将影响许多其他类型的设备，例如工业机器人、监控摄像机、无人机以及相互发送交通数据的汽车。5G时代的移动互联网速度能让人们在几秒钟内下载完一部电影，而且很有可能给电子游戏、体育和购物带来翻天覆地的变化, 5G时代将超越当前的4G无线技术、实现腾飞。

Officials in the United States and China see 5G networks as a competitive edge. The faster networks could help spread the use of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies.

edge ：a slight advantage over sb/sth （微弱的）优势比如The company needs to improve its competitive edge . 公司必须提高它的竞争力。The next version of the software will have the edge over its competitors. 该软件的下一个版本会比竞争对手更胜一筹。cutting-edge: 尖端的, 先进的

参考译文：美国和中国官员将5G网络视为一种国家竞争力。更快的网络有助于推广人工智能及其他尖端技术。

What exactly is 5G?

Strictly speaking, 5G is a set of technical ground rules that define the workings of a cellular network, including the radio frequencies used and how various components like computer chips and antennas handle radio signals and exchange data.

Strictly speaking严格来说，严格地说；ground rules：the basic rules or principles on which future actions or behaviour should be based基本规则，基本原则lay down/establish ground rules for sthfrequency 作科技术语时表示“〔无线电波、声波等的〕频率”，比如a high/low frequency 高╱低频computer chips 电脑芯片antenna /æntenə/ 触角；触须；这里指“天线”，比如television antennas 电视机天线

句子结构分析：①Strictly speaking,② 5G is a set of technical ground rules ③that define the workings of a cellular network,④ including the radio frequencies used ⑤and how various components⑥ like computer chips and antennas ⑦handle radio signals and exchange data.

②是主句，①作整句的状语，③是定语从句，修饰限定rules，④介词短语，作③的伴随状语，其中⑤⑥⑦整体作including的并列短语，⑤是how引导的名词从句主语部分，⑥是对⑤的举例说明，⑦是名词从句的并列谓语部分。

参考译文：严格地说，5G是一套定义蜂窝网络工作原理的基本技术规则，包括使用的无线电频率，以及计算机芯片和天线等各种组件处理无线电信号和交换数据的方式。

Since the first cellphones were demonstrated in the 1970s, engineers from multiple companies have convened to agree on new sets of specifications for cellular networks, which are designated a new technology generation every decade or so. To get the benefits of 5G, users will have to buy new phones, while carriers will need to install new transmission equipment to offer the faster service.

specification ：n. 规格；说明书；详述

参考译文：自上世纪70年代第一款手机问世以来，来自多家公司的工程师们召开会议，就蜂窝网络的新技术规范达成一致，每过十年左右就将蜂窝网络指定为新一代技术。要想利用5G的性能优势，用户就要购买新手机，而运营商也需要安装新的传输设备以提供更快的服务。

How fast will 5G be?

The answer depends on where you live, which wireless services you use and when you decide to take the 5G plunge.

Qualcomm, the wireless chip maker, said it had demonstrated peak 5G download speeds of 4.5 gigabits a second, but predicts initial median speeds of about 1.4 gigabits. That translates to roughly 20 times faster than the current 4G experience.

take the plunge ： to decide to do sth important or difficult, especially after thinking about it for a long time （尤指深思熟虑后）果断行事，作出决定；比如：We took the plunge and set up our own business. 我们毅然决定自己创业。gigabit千兆比特，吉比特median speeds 中值速度，中间速度，可译为“平均速度”translate to意同，相当于

参考译文：答案取决于你生活在哪里，你使用哪种无线服务，以及你何时决定使用5G。

无线芯片制造商高通公司(Qualcomm)表示，它已证明5G的最高下载速度为每秒4.5吉比特，但预计最初的平均速度约为1.4吉比特。这相当于目前4G体验的大约20倍。

The 5G speeds will be particularly noticeable in higher-quality streaming video. And downloading a typical movie at the median speeds cited by Qualcomm would take 17 seconds with 5G, compared with six minutes for 4G.

Rather than remembering to download a season of a favorite TV show before heading to the airport, for example, you could do it while in line to board a plane, said Justin Denison, a Samsung senior vice president.

参考译文：在高质量流媒体视频中，5G的速度尤为明显。按照高通所说的平均速度，下载一部常规大小的电影用5G网络只需17秒，而4G需要6分钟。

三星（ Samsung ）高级副总裁贾斯汀·丹尼森(Justin Denison)说，你不必在前往机场前还要惦记着下载好某一季最喜爱的电视节目，你可以在像排队登机的时候来下载了。

以上。

下一篇还会谈谈几个问题，包括5G什么时候到来，消费者是否能充分享受到5G的优越，我们是不是应该马上买一部支持5G的智能手机？

译文仅供参考，如有不妥之处，还请温柔指点