Samsung claims it has successfully tested 5G technology this week, a move which could see users download movies in as quick as one second.

Claiming the test allowed data transmission of over one gigabyte per second over a distance of 2km, the South Korean company believes the technology could sit "at the core of 5G."

"The millimeter-wave band is the most effective solution to recent surges in wireless internet usage," said ChangYeong Kim, executive vice president, Samsung.

"Samsung's recent success in developing the adaptive array transceiver technology has brought us one step closer to the commercialisation of 5G mobile communications in the millimetre-wave bands."

Announced via an official blog, Samsung Tomorrow, the company says the technology draws the world closer to a new era of mobile communications.

"Samsung’s latest innovation is expected to invigorate research into 5G cellular communications across the world; the company believes it will trigger the creation of international alliances and the timely commercialization of related mobile broadband services," the post read.

"The competition for technology leadership in next-generation mobile communications development is getting increasingly fierce.

"Once commercialised, 5G mobile communications technology will be capable of ultra-high-speed data transmission up to several hundred times faster than even the 4G LTE-Advanced technology due for launch later this year.

"Samsung’s new technology will allow users to transmit massive data files including high quality digital movies practically without limitation.

"As a result, subscribers will be able to enjoy a wide range of services such as 3D movies and games, real-time streaming of ultra high-definition (UHD) content, and remote medical services."

Too fast to be true?

Not available until 2020, Samsung's claims have been disputed by some sections of the media, with a section of researchers playing down the reports.

Speaking with UK newspaper The Guardian, Shahram Niri, deputy director of the 5G Innovation Centre at Centre says at present, no 5G standard has been agreed.

"There are a number of area in which this technology is being improved," Niri told The Guardian.

"What Samsung has done has touched on one of the areas relating to antennas, and with that achieved a higher data rate – but this is just one of many methods being examined to increase it."

With 4G recently arriving in New Zealand thanks to both Vodafone and Telecom, is 5G technology already upon us? Tell us your thoughts below