As you probably know, 5G stands for fifth-generation mobile technology. This is a widely accepted standard that companies use for their networks. The 5G concept was put into action in 2019, and it represents a natural progression of 4G mobile networks.
Unlike its predecessors, 5G is much faster and more reliable. It exhibits significantly reduced latency compared to 4G and 3G technology. Another great thing about the mobile standard is that it allows many devices to connect to a single network within a small area.
5G technology came at the right time. Modern smartphones use more resources than their predecessors, so the network standards had to evolve to facilitate the change. Users have become much greedier when it comes to downloads and uploads, which is why providers have had to find a way to improve latency and speed.
But perhaps the biggest advantage of 5G is the fact it allows usage of IoT devices. Internet of Things is a concept that connects numerous devices with each other. In order for these apps to work properly, they need to be in constant communication with each other.
In order for all these systems to work concurrently and have steady access to the internet, we required a stable mobile broadband standard. Luckily, with 5G, we have a much-needed solution.
In order to understand the concept a bit better, we have to compare non-standalone and standalone infrastructure. The main difference between the two concepts is in their infrastructure dependency, but that’s not the only thing that separates them.
NSA or non-standalone infrastructure is heavily reliant on everything we’ve built so far. It utilizes the same resources 4G networks previously used. On top of that, this type of infrastructure incorporates new systems such as 5G NR or 5G New Radio.
Non-standalone infrastructure implements 5G New Radio and 5G RAN (Radio Access Network) interface. This technology is combined with a core network and existing LTE infrastructure.
Initially, non-standalone infrastructure was a dominant method of transferring data. Most companies use their previous resources as a way of cutting costs. For example, in 2020, NSA had a market share of 92.9%. However, these figures are slowly changing in favor of standalone infrastructure.
Standalone infrastructure is fully powered by a cloud-native network core. Overall, this technology offers a much better performance, although it is more expensive to implement. The deployment option consists of RAN (including 5G core network and NR) as well as user equipment.
The biggest advantage of this concept is that it’s able to connect cloud and internet services together. Standalone infrastructure is much more reliable for users, making it a much better choice for anyone who uses sophisticated equipment that requires minimal downtime and latency.
Traditionally, operators have relied on macrocells to cover large urban and rural areas. In comparison, 5G networks are much more reliant on software instead of hardware.
Until we’re able to develop an optimal 5G network infrastructure, most companies will rely on 4G LTE RAN enhanced by numerous antennas. This approach serves to patch the issue until we have something better available.
While there’s no denying that 5G technology is dominant, companies have encountered numerous challenges while deploying its infrastructure:
Perhaps the biggest issue providers encounter is spectrum allocation. Compared to old technologies, 5G relies on multiple frequency bands (low, mid, and high). In order to implement all these bands, companies have to go through a lot of red tape, significantly stalling infrastructure deployment.
5G networks simply can’t function with fiber optics, which are critical for ensuring low latency and suitable bandwidth. Unfortunately, many countries don’t have well-developed fiber optic infrastructure. Introducing the technology is rather expensive, which is why many providers are unwilling to commit.
In order to introduce 5G infrastructure, companies have to introduce a dense network consisting of numerous small cells. This makes deployment especially troublesome in urban areas that have strict zoning and site acquisition rules. Providers have to constantly negotiate with local governments to ensure smooth rollout in every area.
Given its incredible performance, it isn’t that surprising that 5G infrastructure requires a lot of power. So, securing an appropriate power infrastructure for 5G networks is quite tedious, especially in big cities that don’t have much wiggle room for introducing new electric grids.
While some of these issues might sound insurmountable, engineers and managers have already developed certain workarounds:
Many operators are either contemplating or have introduced the spectrum-sharing model. With this concept, telecom companies are able to get the most value for each frequency. For example, they’re able to utilize the same spectrum whether we’re talking about 5G or 4G networks, circumventing the need to involve regulatory bodies.
Scientists working on fiber optic technology haven’t been sitting still these last few years. They’ve significantly improved the installation techniques as well as cable quality. This makes it much easier to expand networks and reduce associated costs.
Numerous breakthroughs in small cell tech have simplified the construction of 5G infrastructure. We’re now able to deploy networks regardless of the environment we’re working with. Among others, these small cells can be introduced into apartment buildings, streetlights, bridges, and other city features.
Telecom companies are also spending money to develop various smart energy solutions. Besides making their hardware more energy efficient, they’re looking for new, urban sources of energy that don’t rely on traditional grids. Not only does this improve supply, but it also minimizes each operator’s environmental impact.
Implementing modern 5G infrastructure is an extremely tedious task. Not only does it cost a lot of money, but in many cases, it is virtually impossible. Luckily, operators have already started working on solutions that would help us implement 5G technology at a higher level.
Write a comment