5G is the next generation of mobile communication technology, it will need to offer far greater capacity and be faster, more energy-efficient and more cost-effective than anything that has gone before.
The proliferation of smartphones is driving ever-increasing demand for mobile data – in fact some predict it will grow by a hundred times over the next decade – with much demand for video and other high-speed services. At the same time, we are just beginning to see the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT), whereby billions of devices will become connected to help us achieve everyday tasks such as finding a parking space, or making sure our fridge is stocked with milk.
In the future, many applications – from advanced gaming to driverless cars – will require much shorter network response times to enable very rapid reactions.
In order to meet all of these requirements, 5G will be fully focused on users and their needs, unlike previous mobile communication networks. The aim will be to give the user the impression of unlimited data rates while juggling available resources. Two ways of achieving this will be to predict user demand better so that applications perform bandwidth-heavy tasks when the network is least loaded – optimising network response times where needed using a measure known as ‘latency’ – and to make better use of all available wireless networks.
In developing the 5G network there will be a pressing need to reduce end user costs: given that data requirements may grow up to a hundred-fold, monthly bills cannot increase by the same amount if emerging technologies are to be accessible for mainstream use. Reducing energy consumption will be another key focus, both in order to lessen emissions and to improve end-user benefits such as enabling longer battery life and providing innovative energy solutions for wearable devices.
One result will be that in the future, there will be a wide range of business models – for example as well as paying operators to provide us with coverage, we may be able to charge others for the coverage we provide with our Wi-Fi routers or femtocell home basestations.
Essentially, 5G will be a holistic framework for all our communications needs, and it will need to be flexible enough to evolve, adapt and grow – just as the internet has.
For more details visit: http://5g-ppp.eu/