5G is Both Capacity Tool and Platform for Growth

The value of 5G is more clear, the danger less real if two somewhat contradictory sets of values are kept in mind. As a practical matter, 4G capacity--even with a massive shift to small cells--runs out of ability to support ever-growing demand. In that vein, 5G is simply the next necessary tool for keeping pace with growing data usage.

And, at the same time, 5G performance characteristics--based on millimeter wave;dense, small cell architectures; edge computing and power consumption--will enable new use cases over time that produce incremental roles and revenues.

All of that will happen gradually, as we have yet to reach the point where 5G becomes the mainstay network. In fact, 4G will dominate for some time to come. But 5G builds on advanced 4G network elements and core networks.

source: Dell'Oro Group

Consider the matter of indoor coverage and small cells. As Ericsson points out, the same small cells deployed for 4G indoor coverage can be used to support 5G indoor cells. At least initially, 5G NR uses the 4G command and control network to support the 5G air interface.

source: Ericsson

The principle of reuse was foundational for the design of the Ericsson Radio Dot, for example, especially when using the 3 GHz to 6 GHz frequency bands expected to anchor much 5G indoor coverage globally.

source: Ericsson

And the same dense backhaul network that supports 4G small cells can be leveraged for 5G as well, in many cases. Many observers note that the existence of dense 4G networks featuring using small cells connected using optical fiber reduces the cost of 5G infrastructure.

Even Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Software Defined Networking (SDN) in the core--already underway-- will help by enabling virtual network slices for different vertical markets in the 5G era.

Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output radios and advanced antenna systems likewise can be part of the transition from 4G to 5G. At first, the existing evolved packet core will support 5G NR radios. So the 4G core supports the 5G radio edge.

Then the 5G core will support both 4G and 5G.   

source: TRAI

That evolution is built right into the standards. According to 3GPP specifications, 5G will be deployed in two different modes, Non-Standalone (NSA) and Standalone (SA).

In NSA, (5G) NR and (4G) LTE are tightly integrated and connect to either the existing evolved packet core or the 5G NG core. In standalone mode, either 5G NR or 4G LTE radios connect to 5G NG Core.

The point, says India’s TRAI, is that “in order to have speedy deployment of the 5G, initially it is going to be deployed in coexistence with LTE.”