LIVE FROM GSMA MOBILE 360-EUROPE, BRUSSELS: The GSMA outlined two different interpretations of 5G in an effort to drive the standardisation and commercial deployment of the next-generation network technology, in a new report published alongside the event here in Brussels.

The ‘Understanding 5G: Perspectives on Future Technological Advancements in Mobile’ report examines the technical requirements of 5G, the use cases and implications for the mobile ecosystem.

The report looks at the two main views around 5G, the first being a “hyper-connected vision” in which 5G will be a blend of existing technologies (2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi and others) that will improve coverage and availability, higher density of cells and devices, and the ability to support the development of the Internet of Things (IoT).

The second view of 5G is as a new radio access technology, with specific targets around data rates (faster than 1Gb/s downlink) and latency (less than 1 milliseconds delay).

Only the latter criteria relate to a “true generational shift”, with the others being either economic objectives or aspirations applicable to all network technologies, the industry association said.

Anne Bouverot, the director general of the GSMA, said in a statement that the arrival of 5G “will help deliver a fresh wave of mobile innovation that will further transform the lives of individuals, business and societies around the world”.

However, she noted that 5G technology is yet to be standardised and that it has not been fully agreed what it will look like or enable.

“Our new report aims to reset the discussion on 5G, drawing the distinction between a true generational shift versus the ongoing evolution of existing technologies that are already delivering a next-generation mobile experience,” Bouverot said.

Speaking at the GSMA’s Mobile 360 event in Brussels, Bouverot added: “The GSMA is very keen to work with all the scientists, researchers, government, industry players who are working to define 5G, to have a more precise answer.”

The GSMA said its role in the development of a 5G ecosystem will include defining roaming and interconnect, and the identification and alignment of suitable spectrum bands.

Once a stable definition of 5G is reached, the association will work with its members to develop commercially viable 5G applications.

The report also noted that many of the technical requirements of 5G are actually in use today, including network functions virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networks (SDN), heterogeneous networks (HetNets) and Low Power, Low Throughput networks.

Despite the talk of 5G, Bouverot said work still needs to be done to improve the availability of 4G services, which although covering 79 per cent of Europe’s population, only account for 5 per cent of connections.

“That doesn’t cover everyone, every rural area, it doesn’t cover high capacity. There is still some way to go and I think we need to recognise that,” she noted in Brussels.