5G Advanced: Evolution towards 6G
As a telecommunications engineer, you might be wondering what the future holds for mobile networks. How will 5G evolve and what will 6G bring? In this blog post, I will share some insights from a recent white paper by Ericsson that explores these questions.
What is 5G Advanced?
5G Advanced is the term used to describe the evolution of 5G beyond Release 16 of the 3GPP standards. It is not a new generation, but rather a continuous development of 5G to meet the growing and diverse demands of users, industries and society.
5G Advanced will leverage the existing 5G infrastructure and spectrum, while introducing new technologies and capabilities to enhance performance, efficiency and flexibility. Some of the key features of 5G Advanced are:
- Ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC): This will enable critical applications that require high reliability, low latency and high availability, such as industrial automation, remote surgery and autonomous vehicles.
- Massive machine-type communication (mMTC): This will support the massive growth of connected devices and sensors, enabling the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities.
- Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB): This will provide higher data rates, lower latency and better user experience for immersive applications such as augmented reality, virtual reality and cloud gaming.
- Network slicing: This will allow operators to create customized virtual networks for different services and customers, optimizing the use of network resources and enabling new business models.
- Open RAN: This will enable a more diverse and competitive ecosystem of radio access network (RAN) vendors and solutions, based on open interfaces and standards.
What is 6G?
6G is the term used to describe the next generation of mobile networks that will emerge after 2030. It is not yet defined or standardized, but rather a vision of what could be possible in the future.
6G will build on the achievements of 5G and 5G Advanced, but also introduce radical innovations and breakthroughs that will enable new use cases and experiences. Some of the potential features of 6G are:
- Terahertz (THz) spectrum: This will open up new frequency bands above 100 GHz, providing ultra-high data rates and capacity, but also posing new challenges for propagation, hardware and regulation.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML): These will be embedded in every layer of the network, from devices to applications, enabling autonomous and intelligent network operations, optimization and security.
- Quantum technologies: These will offer new possibilities for computing, cryptography and sensing, enabling ultra-secure communication, quantum key distribution and quantum radar.
- Extended reality (XR): This will merge the physical and digital worlds, creating seamless and immersive experiences that blend augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality.
- Holographic communication: This will enable realistic and interactive 3D representations of people and objects, creating a sense of presence and social interaction across distances.
Why should you care?
- You will need to upgrade your skills and knowledge: The evolution of mobile networks will require you to learn new technologies, standards and tools, as well as adapt to new ways of working. You will need to keep up with the latest trends and developments in the field, as well as seek opportunities for training and education.
- You will face new challenges and opportunities: The evolution of mobile networks will bring new technical challenges, such as managing complex and heterogeneous networks, ensuring high reliability and security, and optimizing network performance. You will also have new opportunities to innovate, collaborate and create value for your customers and stakeholders.
- You will shape the future of society: The evolution of mobile networks will enable new applications and services that will transform various sectors and domains, such as health care, education, entertainment, transportation and energy. You will play a key role in enabling these transformations and improving the quality of life for people around the world.
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