ABSTRACT
The path to 5G - New services with 4.5G, 4.5G Pro and 4.9G

Main goal of presentation on SRK 2018 will be to outline major evolutionary steps on the path to 5G. Starting with the foundation of mobile IoT and Ultra-Broadband, details about potential of LTE-based networks to enable additional services and future applications will be explained.

As the world evolves to 5G, increasing data rates and new applications in networks, devices and applications step-by-step will create a true virtuous circle. Each innovation in the network infrastructure and user equipment chipset enables a new generation of user devices, which enable the next generation of applications. Each individual evolution cycle might take up to two years. By contrast, in many industries, investment cycles last many years. A company equipping long lasting investment goods with IoT connectivity needs to know that the connecting network will still be in operation in the next decade. To ensure we all benefit from the full potential of 5G services in the next decade, the ICT industry needs to embark on the path to 5G now. Based on evolving LTE to LTE-Advanced Pro, relevant development path from 4G to 5G has been created.

To assure seamless technology and business development, telecom industry needs to focus on additional services beyond mainstream mobile broadband 4.5G: evolution of mobile broadband data rates on paired and unpaired spectrum, supporting the latest device ecosystem, enabling efficient IoT connectivity, enabling mission-critical public safety and enabling broadcasting over LTE.

Then in the next step, based on 4.5G pillars, readiness for 5G via 4.5G pro needs to be assured with focus on following technology aspects: Evolution of mobile broadband data rates to 1Gbps supporting the 2017 device ecosystem and Tight integration of unlicensed spectrum to make 1Gbps feasible in more markets.

In the last step of LTE Advanced pro (4.9G), continuity with 5G must be assured based on: evolution of data rates significantly above 1Gbps and reduction of latency to 2ms, enhancing the possibilities for new services and applications and enabling a continuous 5G service experience to complement 5G radio coverage.