Standardization of 5G

Wangshiwu

Wangshiwu 5G networks will offer an unprecedented leap in bandwidth speeds in comparison to previous mobile networks. It will also offer reduced latency and improve overall network efficiency. Streamlining network architectures will deliver end-to-end latency requirements of less than 5 ms. This will allow 5G to offer ultra-reliable low-latency communication for machine-to-machine and public safety applications.  With end-to-end digital service transformation it will minimize OPEX, deliver efficiencies, and drive revenue growth. For 5G to deliver an attractive business model to mobile network operators and their customers, the network must enable efficient provisioning of a wide variety of new services for varied customers with different service level needs and performance requirements. Breakthroughs in wireless network innovation will also drive economic and societal growth in entirely new ways. The development of 5G technologies is a cornerstone for realizing breakthroughs in the transformation of ICT network infrastructure. Ultra-broadband and intelligent-pipe network features that achieve near-instantaneous, "zero distance" connectivity between people and connected machines--no matter where they are--are just the first step. 5G will herald an even greater rise in the prominence of mobile access for realizing total ICT network growth and expansion. Over time, any mobile app and any mobile service will be given the potential to connect to anything at any time--from people and communities to physical things, processes, content, working knowledge, timely pertinent information and goods of all sorts in entirely flexible, reliable and secure ways. 5G technologies will need to be capable of delivering fiber-like 10 gbps speeds to make possible ultra-high definition visual communications and immersive multimedia interactions. These technologies will depend on ultra-wide bandwidth with sub-millisecond latencies. 5G wireless networks will support 1,000-fold gains in capacity, connections for at least 100 billion devices, and a 10 Gbps individual user experience capable of extremely low latency and response times. Deployment of these networks will emerge between 2020 and 2030.  5G radio access will be built upon both new radio access technologies (RAT) and evolved existing wireless technologies (LTE, HSPA, GSM and WiFi). Breakthroughs in wireless network innovation will also drive economic and societal growth in entirely new ways. 5G will realize networks capable of providing zero-distance connectivity between people and connected machines. 5G will provide the foundational infrastructure for building smart cities, which will push mobile network performance and capability requirements to their extremes. Low latency and extremely high reliability, however, will also be essential requirements for the likes of mobile industrial automation, vehicular connectivity, and other IoT applications. Connectivity + Computing + Cloud is becoming the main engine of mobile industry growth where ubiquitous connectivity with super-fast speed, IoT applications, AI, Intelligent Computing, chip-device-cloud synergy for intelligent experience, Smart Manufacturing, e-services and cloud will be the key enablers in near future. 5G will Bring MBB (Mobile Broadband) to a whole new level and serve for digital transformation.  The three main requirements for establishing 5G will be eMBB (Enhanced Mobile Broadband), uRLLC (Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication) and mMTC (Massive Machine Type Communications). eMBB will ensure 100 Mbps user experienced data rate and 20 Gbps peak data rate which is 100 times faster than current 4G. eMBB will increase the spectrum efficiency by three-fold. uRLLC will be a must for ensuring IoT, because everything from personal gadgets to home appliances to industry machines and all types of vehicles will be intricately connected with everything. Such a huge connection will need very low latency around 1 millisecond or even less.  Here, huge data will not be necessary but low latency will be a must as the devices will have to follow the users' commands within milliseconds. For example, if a smart car misses a signal for a perfect U-turn, a deadly accident can occur resulting in loss of lives. uRLLC will ensure 0.5ms latency within an area of at least 500 km. That's really amazing. However, the mMTC will be needed for ensuring connectivity among a very big density of users in an area. To be precise, mMTC will provide 1 million connection per kilometer. All these technologies will give us 100 times more energy efficient operation in 5G. So, 5G will be the entrance of the digital world with All Things Connected. 5G will bring enormous new opportunities. It will also ensure different tariff models for users and connect everything. Cloud X will be another frontier to ensure next level user experience, which will unleash new business potentials and create more apps and devices to make everything wireless and convenient. Things were PC native in 2G and 3G, where connections and services are Mobile natives in 4G. But in 5G, everything is going to be Cloud native.  For instance, a gamer fond of playing high-end games will no longer need a high-end smartphone to access his desired game. Just a simple smartphone will be enough to play the super powerful games through Could X. Because there will be cloud PC which will actually function in the cloud and the smartphone will only act as a joystick or monitor or controller remotely. Such distant operation will need very fast internet of at least 100 Mbps which will be ensured by 5G. We have already seen such applications in South Korea. Vertical Industries are going through a new wave of generational transformation driven by multiple factors including societal changes, economic challenges and ageing of populations. In the next decade, many industries are evolving towards distributed production, connected goods, low energy processes, increasing automation, collaborative robots, integrated manufacturing and logistics. The major incentives abetting this transformation are the potential to reap cost advantages and improve efficiencies by leveraging and integrating the latest advancements in the cellular, electronic, computing and manufacturing industries. For example, by 2020, autonomous and cooperative vehicles with enhanced safety and security standards are expected to be adopted in the US, Japan and Europe. 5G is developing faster than we ever imagined and the ecosystem is maturing in 2019. eMBB has already been established. uRLLC and mMTC are coming soon and we have already seen massive improvement. More than 100 operators will launch commercial 5G network in between 2019 and 2020. Operators all over the world are getting prepared to roll out 5G. But for that, they need to have a 100MHz spectrum constantly.  Already in China and the US, the operators are using 2.6 GHz, 3.5 GHz bands. So seemingly, these bands among 2 to 5 GHz range are going to become a trend. In Bangladesh also, it will be wiser to take preparation for 2300MHz or 2600MHz band, and C-Band (3.5G Range) as ecosystem matures, especially the 5G terminals which will be ready first at those range. Ensuring the spectrum will be the first challenge for 5G enrollment as the spectrum needed for stable throughput will be much more than the current network in Bangladesh. We believe, the government, as well as BTRC, will closely collaborate in this regards. And Huawei is ready to provide all necessary equipment to help Bangladesh step into the 5G era. The writer is Chief Technical Officer, Huawei Technologies Bangladesh Ltd