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Beyond 5G: A Sneak Peek at the Capabilities of 5g+ Networks

5G+ is the next evolution of 5G mobile networks. While 5G brought faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity compared to 4G networks, 5G+ aims to enhance these capabilities even further.

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5G+ is not an official standard yet, but rather a term used to describe the incremental improvements that will build on top of existing 5G networks. The key goals of 5G+ are to:

  • Provide even faster peak data rates, up to 1 terabit per second downlink speeds. This is 10x faster than the maximum speeds of 100 gigabits per second achievable on some 5G networks today.

  • Enable lower latency, down to 0.5 milliseconds, for the most delay-sensitive applications. The ultra-reliable low-latency capabilities of 5G will be strengthened.

  • Support exponentially greater capacity through extensive use of the higher-frequency mmWave spectrum above 100 GHz. More bandwidth allocated to 5G+ will allow networks to connect massive numbers of devices.

  • Expand coverage and improve quality of service through advances like improved beamforming and the ability to aggregate multiple channels.

The first 5 G+ networks are expected to become commercially available around 2025–2030, as the underlying technologies mature and standardization efforts by 3GPP progress. Leading telecom operators like Verizon and NTT DoCoMo are already conducting trials of early 5 G+ capabilities.

Overall, 5G+ will provide an incremental improvement to 5G’s capabilities. It will bring faster, higher-bandwidth connections with lower latency to support more advanced apps and use cases that require extreme speed and responsiveness. The progression to 5 G+ will ensure mobile networks continue to meet demands and boost experiences.

Faster Speeds

5G+ brings significant improvements in speed over previous 5G networks. While 5G peak speeds can reach up to 20 Gbps, early testing of 5G+ demonstrates peak speeds of up to 50 Gbps in ideal conditions.

These ultra-fast speeds open the door to new use cases that weren’t possible before on mobile devices. For example, 5G+ will enable high-quality virtual reality experiences on smartphones and augmented reality glasses without any lag or buffering. The increased bandwidth also allows for 8K video streaming without any delays or quality degradation.

5G+ brings mobile networks closer to fiber-optic speeds typically found in homes and businesses. This allows mobile devices to rival the performance of desktop PCs and laptops for productivity, gaming, and creative workloads. The faster speeds ensure mobile users don’t experience any slowdowns or interruptions, even with data-heavy tasks.

Overall, the speed improvements in 5 G+ create a more seamless experience when using data-intensive applications on the go. It brings the power of high-end desktop computing to mobile form factors.

Lower Latency

5G+ will enable significantly lower latency compared to previous generations of mobile networks. Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel between devices and servers. With 5 G+, latency could be reduced to just 1 millisecond, compared to around 30–50 milliseconds on 4G networks.

This ultra-low latency will enable new use cases that rely on real-time communication. For example:

  • Remote surgery could become possible, with surgeons controlling instruments from faraway locations with no lag or delay.

  • Autonomous vehicles will be able to make instant maneuvers and reactions based on real-time data. Low latency is critical for collision avoidance and self-driving capabilities.

  • Multiplayer gaming can become more immersive, with players across the world interacting seamlessly as if in the same room. High speeds and low latency will reduce frustrating lag times.

  • Augmented reality and virtual reality applications will become more practical and realistic with extremely fast data transfer between devices and servers to process graphics and sensor information. The possibilities for training, design, and entertainment expand greatly.

5G+ networks will bring single-digit millisecond latency closer to reality, enabling this new generation of data-intensive, instantaneous use cases across various industries.

Greater capacity

5 G+ will offer significant improvements in network capacity compared to previous generations of mobile networks. Capacity refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over the network at any given time.

With 5 G+, capacity is expected to increase by up to 10 times compared to 4G networks. This is achieved through the utilization of new spectrum bands, advanced antenna technologies like massive MIMO, and network densification.

More specifically, 5G+ will use frequency bands like mmWave that offer wide channel bandwidths of 100-400 MHz. In comparison, 4G LTE typically uses 5-20 MHz channels. This wider bandwidth translates to higher throughput.

Additionally, advanced antenna technologies will allow more efficient spectrum utilization. Massive MIMO uses arrays of hundreds of small antennas to focus signals toward users, enabling more simultaneous connections.

Overall, experts estimate that 5 G+ networks will be able to support up to 10 million devices per square kilometer, a major increase over 4G.

For consumers, this means that congestion during peak usage times will be reduced significantly. More users will be able to access the network simultaneously at faster speeds. Services like HD video streaming, multiplayer gaming, and VR apps will be supported smoothly.

For businesses, the capacity upgrades open the door for massive IoT deployments. Massive sensor networks and smart infrastructure will be able to connect without congestion. Industrial automation, smart cities, and other 5G applications will become feasible.

In summary, 5G+ will bring order-of-magnitude improvements in network capacity compared to predecessor networks. This enables new use cases across both consumer and enterprise segments.

New frequency spectrum

5G introduced new frequency bands in the mid- and high-frequency spectrum to enable greater bandwidth and faster speeds. 5G+ will build on this by opening up even higher frequencies, such as the 28GHz, 37GHz, and 39GHz bands.

The benefits of a higher-frequency spectrum include:

  • More bandwidth is available, enabling faster peak data rates of up to 20 Gbps down and 10 Gbps up.

  • Low latency of under 1 millisecond for mission-critical applications.

  • Supports more capacity and connections for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

The tradeoffs of higher frequency bands:

  • Reduced range and building penetration: mmWave signals can only travel 200–400 meters and struggle to pass through walls and obstacles.

  • Requires more small cells and infrastructure investment for broad coverage. Small cells will need to be placed every 100–200 meters.

  • Susceptible to interference from weather events, physical obstacles, and even human bodies. Rain, foliage, walls, and other obstacles can absorb or reflect signals.

To overcome these challenges, 5G+ will utilize beamforming, MIMO antennas, and other intelligent spectrum usage techniques to dynamically optimize signals. However, the realities of higher frequencies will require a densified network architecture.

Network slicing

Network slicing allows 5G networks to provide customized services and solutions tailored to the specific needs of different applications. With network slicing, a single physical 5G network can be divided into multiple virtual networks, or “slices,” that each serve a particular use case.

For example, autonomous vehicles require extremely fast and low-latency connections to navigate safely. Remote surgery needs similar high-speed, real-time data transmission. On the other hand, smart home IoT applications like voice assistants and security cameras can operate at slower speeds but require many simultaneous connections. And mobile broadband users simply want fast downloads.

Network slicing enables a 5G network operator to deliver all these use cases, with optimized performance for each, simultaneously over the same infrastructure. The slices are separated logically, each getting only the network capabilities they need, which allows more efficient use of resources.

So rather than build dedicated networks for each application, 5G network slicing allows operators to instantly create optimized and isolated virtual networks tailored to the requirements of the application. This customization and flexibility are key benefits of 5G networks.

Cost for consumers

5G+ is still in early development and deployment, so consumer pricing for 5G+ services has not been firmly established yet. However, experts predict that 5G+ will likely come at a premium over current 5G pricing.

Mobile providers will need to upgrade their networks to support the new technologies behind 5G+, like higher-frequency spectrum bands and network slicing. These upgrades require major investments, so providers will likely pass some of the costs onto consumers through their service pricing.

Industry analysts estimate that 5G+ service plans could cost 15–30% more compared to 5G plans initially. Some sample pricing predictions:

  • Entry-level 5G+ plans may start around €55–65 per month, compared to €50 for 5G.

  • Mid-range unlimited data 5G+ plans may cost approximately €75–85 per month, versus €70 for 5G.

  • The highest-end unlimited 5G+ plans with maximum speeds could approach €100 per month.

However, over time, as 5G+ matures and expands, costs should come down and pricing should become more competitive. Early adopters of 5G+ may pay a premium, but prices will likely decline after the first 1-2 years of the service rolling out. Bundling 5G+ with other services may also help offset the higher monthly fees.

Cost for infrastructure

The rollout of 5G+ networks requires massive infrastructure investments from telecom operators and providers. Upgrading to 5G+ isn’t just about deploying new software; it requires building an entirely new physical network infrastructure.

Some estimates put the cost of building out 5G+ infrastructure in Europe at over €300 billion between 2020 and 2025. This includes adding hundreds of thousands of new cell towers and small cells, laying fiber optic cables, and purchasing spectrum licenses.

The costs don’t stop there. 5G+ networks will rely on edge computing infrastructure placed in proximity to users to deliver low latency. Building out edge data centers adds even more costs.

While the initial investment is substantial, 5G+ enables new business models that can provide a return on investment. 5 G+’s network-slicing technology allows operators to create multiple virtual networks using the same physical infrastructure. These slices can be sold or leased to third parties like enterprises, industrial companies, and even government organizations.

Network slicing lets operators efficiently monetize their infrastructure investments. A factory could pay for a private 5 G+ slice to connect machinery and robots, while a hospital slice could be used for remote health services. This provides telecoms with new revenue streams and customers outside of just general consumers.

5G+ networks are expensive to build, but advanced capabilities like network slicing open up new ways for operators and providers to generate revenue. The business model possibilities make the sizable infrastructure investments worthwhile and are necessary to support 5 G+’s transformative potential.

Security enhancements

5G+ builds on the security foundations of 5G networks and introduces additional protections. Some key security enhancements include:

  • End-to-end network slicing allows operators to customize security for different use cases. For example, slices carrying sensitive data can be isolated and given extra protection.

  • The user plane and control plane are separated, so the control plane managing the network is protected from attacks targeting user data.

  • Encryption is mandated for user plane data, and authentication is required for devices connecting to the network. This protects against eavesdropping and unauthorized access.

  • Compared to older networks, 5G has streamlined and automated processes for credentials, keys, and certificates. This reduces complexity and opportunities for error.

  • Machine-learning techniques can monitor network traffic for anomalies and detect potential attacks. Operators get notified of threats in real-time.

  • With network slicing, one compromised slice won’t affect others. This containment ability limits the blast radius of successful attacks.

  • New privacy protections allow user identities, locations, and data to be kept anonymous when possible. This prevents tracking or profiling.

  • Upgrades to SIM cards and universal subscriber identity modules (USIM) enable stronger authentication and dynamic encryption keys that frequently rotate.

5G+ builds on a solid security foundation with these additional safeguards. The goal is to address vulnerabilities proactively and protect against both existing and emerging threats. For operators and users alike, security remains a top priority as networks evolve.

Conclusion

5G+ brings exciting improvements in speed, latency, capacity, and security compared to previous generations of mobile networks. With peak speeds exceeding 10 Gbps, latencies below 5 ms, and the ability to connect over 1 million devices per square km, 5G+ will enable new mobile applications and experiences.

The key benefits of 5G+ include:

  • Much faster peak data speeds, exceeding 10 GB/s, with some initial implementations achieving over 100 GB/s

  • Extremely low latency under 5ms for mission-critical and time-sensitive applications

  • Significantly increased capacity and connection density, allowing over 1 million devices to be connected per square km

  • New spectrum bands in mmWave frequencies for greater bandwidth

  • Network slicing for optimized performance across different use cases

  • Enhanced security through confidential computing techniques

In the near future, we can expect 5G+ deployments to expand globally, bringing these benefits to consumers and businesses. As the network infrastructure matures and more 5G+-compatible devices become available, we’ll see innovative new services and applications. Autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, virtual and augmented reality, and other cutting-edge use cases will become increasingly viable and widespread thanks to 5G+. While the rollout is still in the early stages, 5 G+ is positioned to enable the next generation of digital transformation across many sectors.

 

Driven by wanderlust and a passion for tech, Sandra is the creative force behind Alertify. Love for exploration and discovery is what sparked the idea for Alertify, a product that likely combines Sandra’s technological expertise with the desire to simplify or enhance travel experiences in some way.