5G

5G networks are the up and coming generation of mobile internet connectivity. It will offer more
reliable connectivity on mobile handsets and other devices at much faster speeds. The average
download speed of 5G is estimated to be around 1GBps. 5G networks will ensure a more connected and
smarter world by powering a huge rise in IOT technologies. 5G was introduced by Verizon in the US
making it the first operator to launch the 5G network at the start of April 2019. It is currently available in
some parts of Chicago and some other locations and only two handsets are available now to use the 5G
network on. UK is another market to currently have a 5G network connectivity but at a very small scale.

Superiority of 5G

Due to the advanced technology, frequencies used and spectrum, G will be much superior to the other
spectrums currently available in the market in terms of less latency, better efficiency and less
interference, larger number of connected devices and an absolute given higher speeds. It uses a new
digital technology called Massive MIMO, multiple input multiple outputs. It improves coverage, speed
and connectivity by making use of multiple targeted beams to spotlight and follow users around a cell
site. It will also include a 5G New Radio to all mobile network base stations on top of the existing 4G
infrastructure.

The industries to be impacted the most upon arrival of 5G are

 Healthcare
 Manufacturing
 Energy and utilities
 Agriculture
 Retail
 Financial services
 Media and entertainment
 Transportation
 AR/VR
 Insurance
 Remote surgery could be made possible by 5G, source: Voadfone

The Various Stakeholders of The Telecom Industry and Their Roles

The various stakeholders for the telecom industry include the Government, the operators, the media,
the investment community and the consumers. The users of the telecom and ICT products and services
have different categories like the corporate, individual, institutional, communal and many more.

To integrate the 5G planning process the stakeholders should

 Identify the 5G capabilities

 Put data to work and increase server space
 Outline protocol for use of new technologies
 Hire personnel to support new technologies and systems

On and individual level, the government needs to streamline procurement and construction processes
to prepare for numerous purchases and site builds. The operators should decide upon the level
investment on the procurement of the spectrum and its personnel training keeping in mind the current
penetration of 4G and uncertainty about the next big disruption. The investment community should
keep an open mind about the plethora of possibilities that 5G brings along with it and should invest
accordingly to reap the benefits of this advanced technology.

Operators’ Approach to a Shift from 4G to 5G

The operators must invest in spectrum, transmission, core networks, and radio access network (RAN)
infrastructure. It means there should be investment in all network networks. Initially, the operators will
have to upgrade their existing 4G networks to accommodate the initial surge in demand until the 5G
infrastructure in fully developed. This will benefit some of the 4G users as well who have not yet shifted
to 5G. They also need to keep acquiring the new spectrum when needed. This is a way of delaying
investment in 5G by evolving to LTE- and LTE- pro features such as Massive MIMO. This is required
because the incremental revenue potential of 5G remains uncertain. The operators will eventually need
to build new macro sites which can be the primary driver behind the increased network costs.