The Future of 5G: What Lies Ahead for Mobile Technology

Introduction

Mobile-network providers made bold claims about the revolution that 5G would bring when it hit the US market in 2018. However, five years later, it is clear that the hype has not fully materialized. The nontraditional rollout of 5G has been a significant factor in this. Nonetheless, experts believe that the promise of 5G will eventually be realized. This article explores the current state of 5G and what lies ahead for this transformative mobile technology.

5G's Initial Promise and Current Reality

When 5G was introduced to the US mobile scene in 2018, it was accompanied by great fanfare. Mobile-network providers advertised gigabit download speeds, zero latency, and the ability to connect everything from autonomous vehicles to robot surgeons. However, these promises have not been fully delivered upon. Some 5G users have reported inadequate service and speeds, while others have held unfounded beliefs that 5G spreads the COVID-19 virus. Despite these initial setbacks, industry experts remain confident in 5G's potential.

The Economic Impact of 5G

Qualcomm, a wireless-technology company, predicts that 5G will have a significant influence on the global economy. It is projected to generate $13.1 trillion of economic output and create 22.8 million jobs by 2035. While individual users may not yet see the life-changing effects of 5G, the technology is already making strides in rural areas, hospitals, and "smart" cities. With ongoing changes to the network's infrastructure, experts anticipate that 5G will be adapted on a significant scale in the near future.

The Unique Rollout of 5G

Unlike previous generations of mobile networks, the introduction of 5G has been more complex. The decision to bifurcate between stand-alone and non-stand-alone networks has created challenges. This decision was made by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, the standards commission for mobile-broadband technologies. Instead of a direct transition from 4G to 5G, an interim step (the non-stand-alone network) was created to allow telecommunications operators time to upgrade their infrastructure to meet 5G requirements.

Understanding the Mobile Network Components

Mobile networks consist of three key components: the radio access network (physical towers for signal transmission), the transport network (moving the signal from core infrastructure to the towers), and the core infrastructure (servers and software for the technology). The initial deployment of 5G in a non-stand-alone fashion meant that radio towers were upgraded to the 5G standard, while core infrastructure continued to use the 4G standard. This mismatch between standards resulted in limited benefits for existing 4G connections. The absence of widespread stand-alone 5G has led to unmet expectations.

The Shift Towards Stand-Alone 5G

Stand-alone 5G is gradually being rolled out across the US, Canada, and parts of Asia, with Europe following closely behind. As more telecommunications companies move away from non-stand-alone networks, the use cases for stand-alone 5G will continue to expand. Fixed wireless access, which utilizes a base station connected to a fixed network, is considered one of the most impressive use cases for 5G. This approach enables the provision of 5G connectivity in areas where affordable, high-quality internet service has historically been a challenge.

The Potential of Stand-Alone 5G

Experts believe that stand-alone 5G will make a significant difference in various industries. Will Townsend, a vice president and principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, highlights fixed wireless access as a game-changer. The low latency of 5G networks, which is an order of magnitude faster than 4G, opens up possibilities for innovative applications. Neils Kalnins, the director of development and custom management at the electronic-communications office of Latvia, emphasizes that the challenge lies not only in infrastructure but also in understanding how to appropriately leverage 5G technology.

The Future of 5G

Despite the current limitations, 5G is already being deployed in hospitals and powering smart cities. Kalnins believes that the low latency of 5G will lead to greater automation and digitization, particularly in industries like manufacturing. However, he acknowledges that society and businesses are still adapting to the capabilities of this technology. Both Kalnins and Townsend believe that the hype around 5G is justified, and the potential for consumer applications is immense.

Conclusion

While the initial rollout of 5G may not have fulfilled all the hype, experts remain optimistic about its future. The unique challenges and complexities of 5G deployment have slowed progress, but stand-alone 5G is gradually becoming more prevalent. As infrastructure continues to evolve and industries adapt to the capabilities of 5G, the transformative potential of this technology will be fully realized. Consumers can look forward to exciting advancements and applications as 5G continues to evolve.

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By: insider@insider.com (Erin Gee)
Title: The Future of 5G: What Lies Ahead for Mobile Technology
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/5g-technology-progress-challenges-future-2023-12
Published Date: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 21:18:46 +0000