What is 5.5G network and why is it making a comeback in the media?

The term 5.5G refers to the intermediate evolution of the 5th generation (5G) mobile communication technology and the future 6th generation (6G) mobile communication technology. Although there is no universally accepted standard definition for 5.5G, it can be considered an improvement over existing 5G, designed to deliver significantly faster data transfer speeds, higher reliability, lower latency, and better energy efficiency. .

It is based on three pillars: deterministic latency, precise positioning, and passive IoT, which are discussed below.

The goal of 5.5G technology is to expand and improve the capabilities of current 5G networks to meet increasing connectivity demands in various fields such as the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, telemedicine, augmented reality, and virtual reality. . This is achieved through the development and implementation of new technologies and standards that enable more efficient use of wireless spectrum, improved network architecture, and the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing.

The main technologies related to 5.5G are:

• Enhanced Radio Access Network (eRAN): Improvements to wireless access networks to support faster data rates and a greater number of concurrently connected devices.
• Advanced Massive MIMO: Using a larger number of antennas on transmitters and receivers significantly increases network capacity and spectral efficiency.
• Reduce Latency: Implement advanced technologies to further reduce communication latency, which is critical for time-sensitive applications such as remote vehicle control and remote surgery.
• Smart Connect: AI integration optimizes network management, improves resource allocation, and ensures a smoother, more efficient user experience.
• New frequency bands: Exploring and using new frequency bands for data transmission, including millimeter and submillimeter spectrum bands, to increase network capacity.

The development of 5.5G is being driven by the telecommunications industry and standardization bodies with the aim of meeting future connectivity requirements before the arrival of 6G. 6G is expected to deliver revolutionary advancements in terms of speed, capacity and new applications enabled by the new technology.

5G isn’t as fast as promised because it often relies on 4G networks. The fundamental difference between 5G with dedicated infrastructure and 5G over 4G networks (also known as NSA) lies in the independence and efficiency of the networks.

• 5G with dedicated infrastructure (standalone, SA): In this model, 5G networks operate completely independently of existing 4G infrastructure. This means that all signal processing and data processing will be performed over a new 5G network architecture designed to optimally support the high speeds, low latency, and other advanced features that 5G promises. SA infrastructure allows you to take full advantage of the advanced features of 5G, including ultra-low latency and the ability to segment the network for different purposes (network slicing).
• 5G over 4G networks (non-standalone, NSA): In this approach, 5G networks are built on top of existing 4G infrastructure. This means that although 5G will be used for data transmission (radio layer), the network will still rely on 4G infrastructure for some core network functions, such as signaling and connection processing. This model allows faster deployment of 5G by leveraging existing infrastructure, but it does not provide all the efficiency and capacity benefits of a dedicated 5G infrastructure.

The transition to 5.5G and the choice between 5G-only infrastructure and 5G over 4G will depend on each network operator’s specific performance requirements, intended use cases, and deployment schedule.

Three Pillars of 5.5G

The three pillars of 5.5G are fundamental to understanding where communications technology is headed.

• deterministic waiting time: Latency refers to the time it takes for a data packet to travel from source to destination. In the context of 5.5G, deterministic latency refers to the ability to guarantee very low latency for critical applications. This is essential for applications that require real-time or near-real-time response, such as autonomous driving, telemedicine, and high-speed online gaming. Deterministic latency ensures that systems operate predictably and reliably, which is critical to security and operational efficiency.
• accurate positioning: This feature significantly improves the location accuracy of devices and users. Current positioning systems can provide accuracy down to the meter level, but 5.5G aims to reduce this to the centimeter level. This will open up new possibilities for applications such as augmented reality, indoor tracking for logistics and manufacturing, and navigation systems for autonomous vehicles where precise location knowledge is essential.
• Passive IoT: Passive Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the ability to connect multiple IoT devices without requiring their own active power source for communication. Technologies such as backscatter allow devices to communicate by reflecting and modifying existing wireless signals, significantly reducing power consumption and enabling mass deployment of sensors in virtually any environment. This is critical for applications such as smart agriculture, smart cities, and environmental monitoring, which require large amounts of data collected efficiently and sustainably.

Why is 5.5G being talked about now?

At Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, Li Peng, President of Huawei ICT Sales and Services, announced that Huawei 5.5G will be commercialized this year. He emphasized that convergence between 5.5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud technologies is important to implement new applications and functions. Li highlighted the rapid success of 5G, noting that it has attracted more than 1.5 billion users globally since its launch in 2019, a figure much faster than 4G. Additionally, 20% of mobile users globally are already using 5G, generating 30% of mobile traffic and contributing to 40% of total mobile service revenue.

Li Peng said 5.5G will deliver up to 10 times the network performance of 5G, increase connectivity by 10 times and improve energy efficiency by the same percentage. 5G adoption is occurring across multiple sectors, with more than 50,000 private 5G networks commercially deployed in China across more than 50 industries. The introduction of 5.5G promises to further expand opportunities in the enterprise market and lay the foundation for exponential growth of applications and services through innovations such as deterministic latency, precise positioning, and passive IoT.