Earlier this year, insights from Cullen Xu, Vice President at Huawei’s 5G & LTE TDD Product Line, revealed significant advancements in the upcoming 5.5G network technology. As we approach five years since the commercial launch of 5G, the technology continues to exceed expectations, particularly in providing broadband services to regions lacking fiber connectivity through fixed wireless access (FWA). Additionally, 5G private networks are enhancing operations in industries such as manufacturing, mining, and port operations.
The initial phase of 5G has successfully delivered unprecedented speeds, lower latencies, and increased capacity over its predecessor, 4G. The next evolutionary step, 5.5G or 5G Advanced, aims to enhance these capabilities, enabling experiences such as extended reality and cloud gaming. The recent 3GPP’s Release 18 delineates the framework for 5.5G, with its commercial rollout expected later this year in regions like China and the Middle East.
5.5G promises to deliver speeds up to ten times faster than current 5G networks, opening the door to new consumer applications and improving enterprise and industrial solutions. The transition to 5.5G will focus on five crucial enhancements:
- Ultra-Large Bandwidth: To manage the increasing data demands, particularly in high-traffic areas, 5.5G networks will support greater bandwidth and simultaneous user access.
- Multicarrier Capability for Massive MIMO: The evolution of 5G RAN equipment will include multicarrier features to boost performance and reduce energy consumption. Huawei’s dual-band Meta AAU is an example, offering performance enhancements and power savings.
- Extremely Large Antenna Array (ELAA): This technology will be integral to 5.5G, enabling stronger signal strength and broader coverage through advanced beamforming.
- Intelligent RAN: 5.5G will see the integration of intelligent functionalities like Huawei’s harmonized MIMO, which automates the RAN more effectively.
- Greener Networks: Huawei is prioritizing sustainability with its ‘0 Bit 0 Watt’ approach, minimizing power usage when radio sites are idle.
The network improvements will pave the way for operators to monetize innovative services such as ultrahigh definition video, enhanced 5G calling, and improved FWA speeds. Additionally, the integration of IoT devices with public networks will be facilitated through the 5G RedCap, enriching data collection for both operators and consumers.
The convergence of 5.5G with sectors like the automotive industry illustrates the future of connected vehicles and their integration with wireless infrastructure, promising safer and more efficient transportation.
As 5.5G technologies start to unfold this year, they are set to revolutionize not just consumer experiences but also empower a wide array of industries, propelling them towards more sophisticated and integrated wireless solutions.
