5G

What is 5G?

5G stands for the fifth generation of wireless technology, and it brings forth several key features that set it apart from its predecessor, 4G. 5G delivers higher data speeds, lower latency, and supports more users, devices, and services than the previous generation.

Applications and Benefits of 5G

The advent of 5G brings more than just enhanced network performance and speed. It paves the way for a range of innovative and improved connected experiences for users. 5G not only boosts the performance of business applications but also unlocks new possibilities in areas such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR) applications, videoconferencing, industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, and connected medical devices. These advancements enable enhanced user experiences and a wide array of services in various industries.

Service providers are poised to leverage 5G technology to efficiently manage the ever-expanding data traffic, resulting in a substantial reduction in the cost per bit. Additionally, 5G presents service providers with a unique opportunity to prevent the decline in average revenue per user (ARPU) by introducing novel 5G services targeting consumers, government entities, and enterprises.

Enterprises are anticipated to emerge as the primary beneficiaries of 5G advancements, enjoying enhanced productivity, increased agility, and improved scalability for their services. The most significant transformation is likely to occur in the realm of industrial automation, where factories will be serviced by robots controlled wirelessly. This wireless connectivity will enable seamless tracking, operation, and management of even the most minuscule moving components along the production line.

The healthcare sector represents another critical vertical for the application of 5G technology. Remote surgery and connected ambulances will prove invaluable in saving lives in areas where physical access to doctors is limited. By harnessing the capabilities enabled by 5G, retailers will offer customers immersive experiences such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) when trying, styling, and purchasing products, whether within traditional brick and mortar stores or beyond their confines.

In the realm of consumer applications, cloud gaming has emerged as a burgeoning trend. This revolutionary approach eliminates the need for resource-intensive gaming clients, as games can be directly rendered from the 5G network edge. Notably, in some early 5G deployments, AR and VR traffic already constitute approximately 20% of the overall data usage. Moreover, the adoption of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) to provide 5G residential broadband services is gaining significant traction.

From a governmental perspective, the capabilities offered by 5G can bring substantial benefits to smart cities, utilities, and public safety agencies. Connected cars and automotive solutions have the potential to contribute to safer roads and the preservation of human lives.

How Does 5G Work?

To fulfill the increased capacity and latency demands, 5G necessitates the integration of novel technological elements:

New Spectrum

In order to attain fast data rates, 5G technology utilizes various spectrum bands, including those above 6 GHz such as the centimeter (cm) wave band ranging from 6 to 30 GHz, as well as millimeter (mm) wave bands exceeding 30 GHz. Additionally, 5G networks are deployed in spectrum bands below 6 GHz, where lower bands ensure broader coverage while higher bands offer increased capacity.

Massive MIMO

Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) is a technique employed to enhance the capacity of a wireless connection by utilizing multiple transmitting and receiving antennas. On the other hand, Massive MIMO takes this concept further by incorporating an exceptionally large number of antennas, such as 8, 16, 64, 128, and beyond. The implementation of Massive MIMO significantly improves both spectral efficiency and network coverage.

5G NR

The latest radio access technology for 5G is called 5G NR (New Radio), which has been developed by 3GPP specifically for 5G mobile networks. 5G NR incorporates ultra-lean design principles aimed at minimizing signaling and energy usage. It features a flexible frame structure that enables efficient multiplexing of various 5G services while ensuring forward compatibility for future 5G services.

Open RAN

Open RAN, short for open radio access network, is a transformative approach in mobile network architecture. It allows service providers to utilize non-proprietary subcomponents from various vendors, replacing traditional proprietary components with disaggregated units such as centralized units (CU), distributed units (DU), and radio units (RU). These functions can also be virtualized or containerized, providing further flexibility. The O-RAN Alliance plays a vital role in promoting open and interoperable interfaces between these components.

5 GC

As per 3GPP standards, the 5G Core Network (5GC) is designed as a service-based architecture (SBA). It follows cloud-native principles with separate user plane and control plane components, stateless network functions, open interfaces, and APIs. This architecture enables the simple deployment, updating, and scaling of core network functions, facilitating the cost-effective launch of new services.

5G Transport

To cater to the diverse requirements of new 5G use cases like eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC, a robust transport network is essential. It should be capable of handling the significant surge in traffic and accommodating the distinct network characteristics associated with each specific use case. The transport network must also address the evolving demands of a wide array of devices, services, and emerging business models. To ensure high capacity, the transport network should support various speeds, such as 25G, N x 25G at the access/pre-aggregation layer, 100G, N x 100G at the aggregation layer, and up to 400G in the service provider core. Furthermore, stringent timing requirements must be met to achieve latency below 10 ms.

Network Slicing

Network slicing enables the operation of multiple distinct end-to-end logical networks on a shared physical infrastructure. Each slice is capable of delivering a specific quality of service (QoS) tailored to a particular service or application. These network slices can span across different sections of the network, including the access network, core network, and transport network.

Edge Computing

Edge computing brings computing, storage, and networking resources closer to end-users, resulting in reduced response times and bandwidth usage. It can be deployed within customers' premises, such as enterprises and factory floors, and can be managed or hosted by service providers. Edge computing, also referred to as edge cloud, enables efficient and localized processing of data.

Telco Cloud

Telco cloud, as an open platform, empowers service providers to avoid vendor lock-in and leverage a diverse ecosystem of cloud-native functions. This enables them to enhance infrastructure, streamline operations, and accelerate service delivery. By embracing the telco cloud, service providers gain the agility and flexibility to swiftly innovate and introduce a wide range of applications and services, revitalizing their business models.

Security

The advent of 5G, IoT, network slicing, and edge computing introduces new attack surfaces, leading to an escalation in the volume, frequency, and sophistication of threats. Without an improved security approach, 5G security can hinder performance. Traditional siloed systems and manual responses are inadequate. What is necessary is a connected approach that encompasses a holistic understanding of the network and the external ecosystem. This approach enables complete threat awareness and dynamically adapts to enforce consistent security policies across the network.

Management and Orchestration

The proliferation of connected devices, nodes, and services in 5G networks poses a challenge in managing network operations manually due to the scale and quality requirements. To effectively handle the complexity and scale of future cloud and 5G networks, automation is crucial. This involves leveraging Open APIs to facilitate operations in multi-vendor and multi-cloud environments, while harnessing the power of AI and ML capabilities to continuously accumulate knowledge and insights.