The 5G network is rapidly becoming the industry standard with over 1.2 billion users around the world. Its implementation has enabled faster and more stable communication between services and people, and allowed for the development of applications that need to process an ever-increasing amount of data.
However, these requirements are getting bigger and even 5G is starting to see some limitations. To remain ahead of the curve, the concept of 5.5 proposed an evolution of 5G that is compatible with existing equipment, while multiplying network performance by 10.
ADVERTISEMENTWith that goal in mind, Huawei aims to launch a full set of commercial equipment in 2024.
What are some practical applications of 5.5G and how will it impact services and end users? Jiang Junmu, Deputy Editor-in-Chief at C114.com met with some industry leaders to learn more about what is ahead. Watch the video above to follow his interviews.
A 10Gb/s wireless network
For Chen Zhaobo, wireless expert at China Telecom Shanghai, the speed generated by 5.5G will be a major selling point. With 10 gigabyte per second at peak downlink and uplink, this will allow the network to sustain 100 billion connections and native AI requests.
Individual users will be able to enjoy data-heavy services such as virtual reality, glasses-free 3D and multi-person interaction at stable speed.
For businesses of all sizes, access to IoT applications will also be developed with the integration of passive IoT, sensing and communications. Manufacturers, for instance, will be able to produce with increased precision and control, with ultra-low latency.
ADVERTISEMENTAs Chen Zhaobo reminds us, these use cases are not currently possible with 5G, or at least not with the stability, reliability and accuracy that 5.5G will ensure.
Better household experiences
With the rise of the smart house industry, demand for data-heavy services is increasing at high pace in connected households. In this context, Bingo Wang, Vice President of Huawei Network Marketing and Solution Sales, mentions that the objective of 5.5G will be to multiply network speed by 10.
For the end user, this would facilitate access to education and entertainment services such as remote education, alternative and virtual reality or glasses-free 3D at home.
Smart home appliances such as smoke alarms and connected objects would also benefit from the network, and be enjoyed by all users. Indeed, the development of fiber access around the house will ensure a 1Gb/s Wi-Fi network, Bingo Wang says.
More reliable internet in vehicles
The automobile industry is another beneficiary of faster and more stable networks. For Shaun Collins, Executive Chairman of CCS Insight, autonomous driving is a good example of 5.5G-enabled applications.
“When we’re looking at trying to manage car autonomously in high-traffic conditions in bad weather, we need to have a network which has very high capacity, very low latency and high compute power, local to the network,” Mr. Collins says. “5.5G offers us that.”
Driving data is not the only technology impacted, however, as cars include an increasing number of connected services for passengers. Cloud gaming, for instance, has developed at a fast pace and would be enjoyable with low latency with 5.5G.
As we have heard from the participants, 5.5G therefore promises to upscale the experience of many industries and users. 2024 will tell if the new technology delivers.
