Struggling to integrate 5G into existing mobile networks?

O 5G é um avanço transformador nas telecomunicações, oferecendo melhorias significativas em velocidade, latência e capacidade de rede. No entanto, a sua implementação exige um planejamento cuidadoso e um investimento considerável em novas infraestruturas. Com estratégias adequadas, as operadoras podem garantir uma transição suave para o 5G, proporcionando aos usuários uma experiência de conectividade sem precedentes e abrindo caminho para novas aplicações e inovações.

Well, if we want to be more precise, 5G is not only different because of how its new radio elements are built. In its full version (ie 5G StandAlone/SA), it also features a completely new, cloud-native Core with brand new capabilities because of its service-based architecture. In addition, it is partially true that 5G "works in higher frequencies than 4G" [and this is why it needs more sites], as in reality, 5G works in low (sub-1 GHz), mid (1-6GHz) AND high frequencies (24-40GHz); the midband frequencies (especially the 3.3-3.8 GHz part of it) being the most important for taking full advantage of 5G's immense potential, as they offer a great balance of both improved coverage and capacity/data speed.

5G is seen as a unique open innovation platform, a key enabler for a wide variety of valuable applications for our society, businesses and the environment. Consequently, with regards to spectrum assignment to 5G, it is of critical importance to adapt the licensing scheme in two key ways: 1. To assign the licenses for longer periods than 10 years. Because, for example, industries that can make great use of 5G's capabilities for increasing productivity and decreasing their costs, often have a much longer planning horizon. In fact quite a few countries have taken action on this aspect. 2. To ensure that the spectrum prices are such that do not drain the needed investments in 5G deployment.

A transição para o 5G é um passo crucial para o futuro das telecomunicações, mas não pode ser realizada apenas por meio de atualizações de software. A modernização do hardware é essencial para aproveitar todo o potencial dessa nova tecnologia. Desde antenas e unidades de rádio até unidades de banda base e infraestrutura de célula, cada componente precisa ser atualizado ou substituído para suportar as frequências e capacidades do 5G. As operadoras que investirem em hardware atualizado estarão na vanguarda da próxima revolução tecnológica.

Well, this is partially true for the initial 5G Non StandAlone/NSA deployment. When 5G SA is deployed, you will also need to introduce a new 5G Core.

5G Slicing - why, when and how? We should not intro slicing simply for the sake of it. There needs to be a strong business case requiring traffic isolation: First business case for slicing is fixed wireless access to e.g. enterprise buildings, industry 4.0 deployments, government use-cases and of course consumer lastmile replacements. The second is on mobile telemetry, such as car telemetry or - in the near future - telemetry from droids & drones. The third is on mobile consumer use-cases which truly require a different pipe than best effort mobile broadband. An example is real-time AR experiences. With the business case at hand, the implementation is easy but remember that 5G needs to be on 5GSA with a properly configured UPF.

O fatiamento de rede é uma inovação crucial do 5G que oferece a capacidade de personalizar serviços e otimizar a utilização dos recursos de rede. Embora sua implementação apresente desafios, as estratégias corretas de planejamento, gestão e colaboração podem garantir uma integração bem-sucedida. As operadoras que dominarem o fatiamento de rede estarão em uma posição privilegiada para oferecer serviços diferenciados e de alta qualidade, atendendo às necessidades diversificadas de seus clientes na era do 5G.

Yes Network Slicing is the single biggest technical lever in 5G SA but it hasn’t delivered commercially viable use cases at scale which would justify investment in 5G SA; it has at most created “news” rather than providing tangible value to 5G consumers. Network Slicing is unable to overcome the expectations set on it by the hype created by industry stakeholders; it is of utmost importance to differentiate hype from reality. I strongly believe FWA with slices will not deliver enough monetisation and enterprise use of slicing will require slicing to compete with potent and established techs such as private network, LTE and even 5G NSA. On the other hand consumers need prioritised and differentiated QoS enabled by network slicing.

Yes, you will always need to add more cybersecurity measures as technology evolves by the minute, but it is key to also consider that 5G is "secure by design", ie it is the first mobile communications generation that has been designed from its inception with advanced cybersecurity mechanisms in place and that makes it the most secure mobile system to-date. Of course, when it comes to security, design is not enough, you also need to take advanced security measures when deploying, as well as when operating the network.

Early 5G or NSA was deployed over the legacy EPC hence didn’t need IRAT interworking with LTE/4G. LTE also brought voice over PS or VoLTE so the challenge of maintaining legacy network is increased with 5G Stand Alone (SA) which brought a new core (5GC) and VoNR, requires massive integration with legacy network as well as inter radio handover (IRAT). CSPs would increasingly need to switch off some of their legacy network (3G is the network of choice) and reduce OPEX, also refarm low band spectrum for use in 5G if possible (cell edge). There is also a dilemma of when to move spectrum from 5G NSA to SA as SA cannot aggregate LTE carriers. Overall 5G SA needs to succeed which could let CSPs reduce OPEX by retiring some of the legacy network.

Manter o suporte a tecnologias legadas é um componente essencial na transição para o 5G. As operadoras devem adotar uma abordagem estratégica para garantir que suas redes possam lidar com múltiplas gerações de tecnologia simultaneamente. Com planejamento cuidadoso, alocação eficaz de recursos e investimento em ferramentas de gestão avançadas, as operadoras podem assegurar a continuidade do serviço e uma experiência de usuário de alta qualidade, independentemente da tecnologia utilizada.

I believe another factor for MNOs to consider when deploying 5G, is the internal transformation that they need to undertake in order to be in the position to get full advantage of its great potential. Depending on the position that each operator aims to attain in the 5G value chain, they may need to move on from focusing on consumers/volume SIM card selling, to focusing on addressing specific needs of different market niches/groups, like eg offerings for gamers, sports/event attendees, or full connectivity solutions (like private networks) for industries. In addition, they should be looking for new sources or revenue through opening the 5G platform to other players, eg developers, at a price. This requires a different mindset and setup.

Building on what Maria mentions Ericsson carried out a Capturing business opportunities beyond mobile broadband study in 2020 and although it is 4 years old I believe the majority of the findings are still valid - in summary its states that the early adopters take for granted that the technology will work but recognise the importance of a different approach to commercial offerings and GTM strategies, a new mindset to look at the move from 4G to 5G being very different to the move to other G's and also the importance of building an ecosystem that evolves as new needs/objectives arrive.

I think that among the different 5G network architectures there is the non-stand-alone 5G architecture, which makes it possible to have a connected 5G network or at least one that has connectivity with 4G networks. This is an alternative for operators who do not have sufficient financial resources to deploy a complete 5G network, which requires a complete architecture and new equipment.