The next chapter within wireless communication technology, termed "5.5G" or "5G Advanced," has already been discussed by industry leaders. Information on this was shown at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Big bosses from major phone companies, like Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica, BT, and Vodafone, met to share their thoughts about how mobile internet will progress.

The Shift to 5.5G

Even if attempts are being made to build 5G networks worldwide, the big telecom companies are focusing on the improvements that 5.5G offers. These conversations occurred during the Mobile World Congress, focusing on the possibility of even higher speeds and-more importantly-better telecom monetization options.

While 5G has made significant strides since its initial rollout in 2019, reaching over 1.6 billion connections by the end of 2023, its consumer penetration remains below mainstream. Telcos have invested heavily in 5G networks, anticipating returns through applications like driverless cars and unpiloted air taxis enabled by the Internet of Things (IoT).

What is 5.5G?

5G Advanced, often referred to as the next evolution of 5G, is marked as 'release 18' in the standards-setting system of 3GPP, the body responsible for defining technical rules and ensuring interoperability globally. The primary goals of developing 5.5G standards include expanding into vertical markets, resolving deployment challenges, and evolving technology to transition to 6G.

According to Milind Kulkarni, Vice President of InterDigital's wireless labs, the focus of 5G Advanced is to increase commercial relevance by catering to diverse enterprise verticals. Notable features include network slicing, integration of private and public networks, enhanced positioning, and application-specific features for each enterprise vertical.

Key Advancements and Expectations

Howard Watson, CTO of British telecom giant BT, highlighted that 5.5G promises faster uplink speeds, a crucial factor for data-intensive activities such as video streaming, online posting, and multiplayer gaming. The advancements also include making networks more intelligent through integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, along with improved performance and reduced power consumption.

Mats Granryd, Director General of GSMA, expressed the hope that the industry can sustain the 5G environment for an extended period to capitalize on and monetize the technology entirely.

Granryd emphasized the unique nature of 5G, primarily directed towards business-to-business applications, which requires a more prolonged adoption than previous generations.

When to Expect 5.5G

According to Huawei, one of the most giant telecom corporations, commercial 5.5G rollouts are anticipated to start in 2024. The company is actively working on 5.5G network deployments with operators in Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.

Although some customers might not be convinced to switch from 5G to 5.5G, professionals emphasize the importance of adequately explaining 5.5G's use cases to the general public.

Huawei's Chief Marketing Officer of the Carrier Business Group, Philip Song, stressed that carriers must recognize solutions and successfully inform customers about the advantages of 5.5G.

A lot is expected from 5.5G, including better network options, quicker speeds, and the ability to run futuristic apps. As it occurs in 2024, the ensuing years have the potential to drastically alter mobile communications and pave the path for networks that are more intelligent, profitable, and efficient. Commercial rollouts are scheduled for 2024. Thus, the next several years could see a revolution in mobile technology that will result in more sophisticated networks that people can use more effectively and that businesses can charge for.

While we wait to see what 5.5G can accomplish, many believe it will revolutionize how we connect and pave the way for technologies we haven't even considered yet.