5G

A New Frontier for Mobile Broadband Innovation

BELLEVUE, WA--(Marketwired - October 23, 2014) - The debate around 5G continues as new mobile broadband developments emerge by the minute. It is not surprising that several theories and assumptions have been made on what requirements are needed for this new generation of mobile broadband technologies. Common questions on this hot topic typically include: When will 5G be deployed? What will characterize networks in 2020 and beyond? What are the likely solutions and technologies that will come in to play?

4G Americas, a wireless industry trade association representing the 3GPP family of technologies, including LTE and LTE-Advanced, today published an important and significant white paper titled, 4G Americas' Recommendations on 5G Requirements and Solutions. This notable white paper examines the 5G market drivers, use cases, requirements, regulatory considerations and technology elements for the purpose of being considered for the further development of the end-to-end 5G system for deployments in 2020 and beyond. The paper is aimed at providing readers with a clearer understanding of the vision of 5G, specifically with the technology solutions for consideration, as it expands further into the anxiously watching eyes of the wireless industry.

Chris Pearson, President of 4G Americas, stated, "5G networks will not be standardized, manufactured or deployed in a day's notice for tomorrow; however, the long term planning cycle is upon the mobile broadband industry, and it is imperative that the Americas region be represented. This 4G Americas white paper provides a vision of 5G that can be utilized throughout the world."

The following are key 5G principles highlighted in this white paper:

1. As 5G is defined and requirements developed, it must include the entire 5G ecosystem (e.g., air interface, devices, transport and packet core).
2. 5G development should provide global harmonization under a single framework and allow time for true advances of technology, feasibility studies, standardization and product development.
3. It is critical that the countries of the Americas invest in 5G research.
4. Avoid debate (at least initially) on what 5G is. 5G does not (yet) describe any particular specification in any official document published by any standardization body.
5. 5G planning should consider all major technology advances on the road to 5G.
6. Wherever feasible, features being discussed as 5G requirements should be implemented as LTE-Advanced extensions, before the full 5G is available. There are ongoing enhancements in LTE-Advanced that will continue through 2018. 5G is envisioned to have initial deployments around 2020. It must be recognized that significant breakthroughs in new radio transmission interfaces may be accompanied by a break in backward compatibility.

The 4G Americas white paper is clear to note that 5G is still in its early stages in terms of examining use cases, requirements and component technologies. A primary question is whether or not 5G will include another new air interface or a collection of air interfaces, each for a different scenario and use case. Without a clear definition of 5G or 5G requirements, it is safe to assume that 5G will need to support a large number of connected devices, be "Always online," and have energy efficiency and support of flexible air interfaces. However, these suggested requirements may not be achieved by just an evolution of current systems; instead, they may require 5G to have new protocols and access technologies.