5G is not here yet. But it’s coming, experts say.

5G, or fifth-generation, is the next evolution of wireless technology, picking up where 4G left off. But not much else about 5G has been defined. In fact, some experts say it could be 2019 or later before the wireless industry agrees on 5G standards.

“The industry doesn’t have the blueprint it needs to create the network infrastructure and devices we can all use,” Tom Keathley, senior vice president of wireless network architecture and design at wireless carrier AT&T, writes in a recent blog post.

While the industry works out the details, the motivation for investing billions in upgrading to a new technology is that 5G will be significantly faster than 4G. AT&T expects 5G to deliver speeds 10-100 times faster than today’s 4G LTE connections.

While 4G was mostly built for smartphone data and communication, 5G will have to support the increasing demand for streaming high-definition video, and the Internet of Things, or everyday objects that connect to the Internet, such as washing machines or smoke detectors, according to research firm IDATE by DigiWorld. 20.8 billion devices will be connected to the Internet by 2020, according to technology research firm Gartner Inc.

More than 60% of the data traffic on The AT&T total network, both 3G and 4G, in 2015 was video, and the increasing popularity of larger video files, virtual reality and the Internet of Things will drive even more traffic growth, the wireless carrier says.

“New experiences like virtual reality, self-driving cars, robotics, smart cities and more are about to test networks like never before,” says John Donovan, chief strategy officer and group president at AT&T Technology and Operations.

While many experts say 5G is a ways off, companies are already buzzing about it. Communication technology companies Qualcomm Technologies Inc. and Ericsson, for example, announced this week at the Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona that they will work together on 5G technology development and testing. Also at the conference, the world’s largest mobile industry event, LG Electronics Inc. and Intel Corp. announced that they are collaborating to develop and pilot 5G-based wireless technology for cars.

Faster speeds could mean more mobile sales for retailers. Michael Layne, director of Internet marketing for e-retailer Fathead, prioritizes site speed for his company’s sports and entertainment decal e-commerce site because, he says, “site speed and conversion are directly proportional.”

Thomas Husson, a Forrester Research Inc. vice president and principal analyst who covers consumer mobile, estimates 5G won’t be implemented by wireless carries and other technology providers for another five years or so .

“The history of 3G and 4G networks tells us it will take years before we reach any critical mass after commercial launches at the end of this decade. End of story,” he says.

Subscribe Today to Mobile Strategies 360 and Receive Exclusive Data. Not only will you get the latest information on the rapidly changing mobile industry, you will also receive Mobile Market Insights a free monthly overview on the market. These fact sheets are filled with data and statistics to help you identify opportunities and get a jump on the competition. Mobile Market Insights is available only to Mobile Strategies 360 subscribers. Once you enter your free subscription, click on the link for your free download.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and be the first to know when new Mobile Strategies 360 content is published.