While the COVID-19 pandemic could slow the rollout of 5G in countries around the world, most 5G players in the US argue that they remain on track with their network-buildout efforts.
The latest signal on the topic came from T-Mobile, which recently announced it remains on track to launch the “standalone” version of 5G this year. Specifically, the operator said it tested a variety of services
on standalone 5G, including data and voice sessions with such vendors as Ericsson, Nokia, Cisco, Qualcomm and others.
T-Mobile isn’t alone in moving to the “standalone” version of 5G, which will allow operators to transmit 5G signals without the support of a 4G connection. For example, Telstra in Australia recently announced it switched
on a new “cloud native” 5G core network with vendor Ericsson to handle new standalone 5G traffic.
But the fact that T-Mobile reiterated its plan to launch standalone 5G this year – a goal it laid out in 2019 – adds further momentum to the 5G push, at least in the US.
“We still plan to deliver nationwide 5G this summer,” wrote Scott Mair, President of AT&T’s networking operations, adding that the operator also still expects to virtualize 75% of its networking functions by the end of 2021, another of its networking targets. Discuss.
North America I 2022
An Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) is a disaggregated approach to
deploying mobile fronthaul and midhaul networks built entirely on cloud
native principles. O-RAN underscores streamlined 5G RAN performance
objectives through the common attributes of efficiency, intelligence
and versatility. Open RAN deployed at the network edge will benefit 5G
applications such as autonomous vehicles and the IoT, support network
slicing use cases effectively, and enable secure and efficient over-the-air
firmware upgrades.Since 5G service requirements span so many industries, they are both a
business opportunity and challenge, requiring one to deploy innovative
mobile services faster than ever before. Unlike the preceding three pillars,
which all add complexity to the equation when appropriately executed,
orchestration and automation can make it all appear effortless to the enduser and the operator.The hype around 5G has skyrocketed expectations, and the promise of
highly reliable, always available, everywhere accessible super-fast networks
and services must be fulfilled. However, despite the rapid expansion in 5G
adoption, with increasingly more services and supporting devices being
deployed, ‘real’ 5G is yet to reach scale. According to research firm Omdia, as
of June 2021, only 14% of 5G networks have reached 10% subscriber penetration
– a key milestone that marks the tipping point where 5G appears to begin to
have a positive impact on mobile revenues.- North America I 2022
No-code BSS and monetisation of the 5G Economy: Helping service providers take centre stage in the 5G value chain
In 2020 consumer research firm Sapio, surveyed over 5,000 gamers and the
results showed that 79% would seriously consider switching their existing
home broadband and mobile services for a 5G offer that delivered a better
gaming experience. What’s more they’d pay a premium for this improved
gaming experience. A staggering 95% said that they’d pay more for the
better gaming experience, with 60% saying they’d be happy to pay 50%
more. What’s key here is that the customers, in this case gamers, would pay a
premium for the gaming experience – not the connectivity or the games, but
the experience. With stand-alone 5G, service providers can set up specific 5G
network slices for gaming with a quality of service that delivers the gaming
experience that people want as well as enable the next stage in gaming The evolution from 4G to 5G is driving significant investment in core
infrastructure, across both public and private networks and deployment
across a range of vertical markets. However, as of now, most carriers have
launched an early version of 5G that relies on the availability of 4G serviceSo from a frequency point of view, 5G has come a long way in just a few years
with two of the five 5G flavors, including both low-band and upper mid-band
5G, fairly along the adoption curve. Sub 2 GHz activity is rising but adoption
still remains low. 6 GHz 5G has not begun yet, though this band is expected to
play a fundamental role afte5G has become a lightning rod topic as each carrier claims superiority,
but it’s also opening doors that weren’t previously accessible. Prior to the
onset of 5G deployments, the sheer amount of capital expenditure needed
for communications infrastructure rollouts in rural areas often proved
prohibitive for companies that were seeking a strong business case to make
rural broadband a real opportunity. With wireless carriers now invested in
blanketing much of the U.S. in 5G coverage, and building out towers in urban,
metro and rural areas, this more promising business case has emerged.As 5G networks are deployed and 4G continues to be upgraded, businesses
whose use cases fall into the categories outlined above should begin to test
5G equipment for their applications. For everyone else, 4G LTE is, as its name
suggests, a solid long-term technology which can assist with a transition to
5G if and as needed in the future – and support your application for many
years to come.
Now the reader may be asking themselves: if ubiquity may yet be years
away, why should I start work today? The answer is simple, maintaining your
competitive edge means being ready to deploy when the network is ready
for you. Anyone who has deployed cellular-enabled applications in previous
generations will have learned (maybe the hard way) that success may require
multiple rounds of testing and fine tuning along the way.As we reflect on the use cases across the USA, it is clear that CBRS has
revolutionized the ways in which spectrum is utilized to better connectivity
across a diverse number of sectors. Hundreds of WISPs have moved their
system from the old regime onto new CBRS systems so far, taking advantage
of hybrid networks to offer better service to their users and using the spectrum
to upgrade their networks and reach. The commercialization of CBRS has
also provided private network deployers with a ‘one stop shop’ for spectrum
access, equipment and management services, making the process more
efficient than ever. In 2021, initial rollouts of 5G NR network equipment in the
CBRS band will begin paving the way for industrial IoT and other advanced
applications with demanding performance requirements in terms of highthroughput and low-latency.Varying generations of users have also shifted how technology is used. All
generations have had no choice but to increase connectivity during the
pandemic in order to adjust to how businesses have repositioned. Seniors
have been forced to manage banking, grocery shopping, healthcare and
even visits with friends or family all through connected devices. Youth have
had to depend on connectivity for school during unprecedented times and
parents are helping youth and seniors cope while they themselves have
had to work remotely. Having fast, lag-free connections with cloud based
platforms are now a necessity, not just a ‘nice to have’ luxury.
The health industry in particular has been at the forefront of every country
since the COVID-19 pandemic began and significant changes are in the works
as 5G continues to roll out. It will be transformational for almost everything
we do, especially the medical world where patients will be live-streaming
their vital-signs to doctors and caregivers while they are on the go and not
just at home.Remember, while 5G is accelerating that convergence of telecom and IT
systems, fundamental differences remain. Enclosures, cooling, and AC/
DC synchronicity and safety present both challenges and opportunities to
improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption. Solutions with IT roots
– advanced console servers and environmental monitoring software, for
example – are becoming more common considerations for forward-thinking
operators.
As sites become more IT-dependent and intelligent, they become less
dependent on human interfaces. On-site technology lets operators know
when issues arise so they can be addressed. This typically requires fewer
site visits, which can significantly reduce the carbon footprint as less fossil
fuels are expended on travel. All of this has a measurable impact on energy
efficiency, which makes a strong business case for continued investment in
smarter technologies and remote monitoring applications.Telcos are now a key part of the media ecosystem and in a prime position to
explore new opportunities, especially given that 5G is able to deliver higher
network performance than legacy technologies. Media companies need to
be able to take advantage of deployment of 5G networks and new devices.
For many mobile-only telcos, the aggregator model, i.e., bundling access
services, has become a viable option to enter the entertainment space at
low risk, requiring a mainly OPEX-driven investment in Platform-as-a-Service
(PaaS) or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms and content. For fixed-line
telco operators, with legacy TV and video services under other regulatory
regimes, managing an aggregator business is more complex.5G – Potential for new personalized
customer experience
and revenue streams