ABSTRACT: Next generation telecommunications technologies have captivated the market but ecosystem participants should be cognizant of the shifting landscape and potential impacts. At the same time, the perception that a 5G rollout is impending should be placed into context – despite idealized scenarios, deployment is likely to be evolutionary, as opposed to revolutionary. Through this research snapshot, we highlight a generalized timeline and roadmap for 5G deployment and consider potential implications for relevant industry participants.
After much speculation, consumers finally have a glimpse of 5G emerging from concept to true development and implementation, as major MNOs have commenced nascent testbeds nationwide. As official standards have been determined for the next generation’s technical specifications, many project a generational transition akin to the 3G to 4G transition. However, when considering the implications of the existing infrastructure as well as technical barriers that alter the traditional network implementation, a protracted progression is more likely.
The Current Landscape and Technologies
With user data consumption increasing, mobile carriers have aggressively developed pre-5G technologies (e.g., LTE Advanced) that precede 5G to enhance capacity. This is indicative of the type of selective deployment of infrastructure that will render the 5G timeline a nuanced segmentation, as opposed to a simplistic Pre-5G to 5G transition – we expect an active, but gradual, incorporation of technologies. Illustrative advancements that precede, but lay the foundation, for 5G include:
- Carrier aggregation – Increases peak user data rates/network capacity by combining multiple carrier data streams
- Small cells – Utilized to offload network strain on current infrastructure via densification of coverage in large areas
- Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) – Allows for better utilization of existing bandwidth to lessen capacity strains through modified antenna configurations
Critically, MNOs are actively implementing these technologies to not only increase overall network capacity but also intertwine their development paths with 5G deployment to facilitate ease of transition.
Early 5G Rollout
The generational progression from 2G to 3G and then 4G/LTE represented true technology shifts (e.g., OFDMA) with comparable speed improvement requirements. 5G, while still assigned with speed requirements, differs in that improvements are centered on spectrum/channel optimization and high frequency usage, which will indirectly increase network output.
From an implementation perspective, these standards imply a period of select deployment, deemed the “Early 5G” phase, where 5G will co-exist with 4G networks. 5G standards rely on high frequency band usage, which enables more concentrated, faster data relaying, but has certain range limitations and penetration challenges that will affect “Early 5G” deployment.
Specifically, rollout will begin in areas of high demand density, where 4G networks remain the foundation, particularly for mobility. Realistically, 5G coverage will be limited to outdoor, pedestrian centric areas where frequencies can easily reach users. (See Exhibit 1)
Exhibit 1: Early 5G Coverage
5G Coverage Expansion
While the “Early 5G” phase is pending, studies have suggested that it would last approximately 2 to 3 years as MNOs further verify and develop their technologies within ideal environments with dense populations and outdoor areas. However, as MNOs expand their coverage to more widespread areas, a number of implementation issues will arise. As mentioned, due to dependency on high frequency ranges, 5G has questionable capabilities regarding range and penetration for large coverage areas. Additionally, 5G will have limitations for mobility suggesting that coverage for use cases such as moving vehicles could present difficulties. (See Exhibit 2)
Exhibit 2: 5G Frequency Bands
To address these challenges, future modifications of existing LTE Advanced technologies will work in concert with 5G deployments to augment the broader network architecture. Thus, the cohesion of technology roadmaps will allow 5G to expand from densified coverage to wide-breadth network scale. However, due to mentioned technical barriers, such widescale implementation is only feasible significantly into the future, and concentration will remain on dense, urban areas until 5G technologies are further validated and improved. (See Exhibit 3)
Exhibit 3: 5G Implementation Timeline
Ecosystem Implications
Ultimately, there is a question as to what a newly segmented 5G rollout timeline means for relevant industries, or more specifically, what implications do an “Early 5G” phase pose?
The benefits of a 5G plan, whether partial or complete, are well defined for certain industry players like network carriers (MNOs), handset OEMs, and software/cloud infrastructure providers, who have offerings that are directly enhanced through the next generation’s technical specifications. Indirectly, however, certain players, particularly those within the media and entertainment ecosystem as an example, could gain from having an improved channel of distribution (i.e., premium content creators).
Alternatively, some industries could be placed at a disadvantage as 5G approaches, primarily those using alternative distribution mediums that could become outdated or less cost effective vis-à-vis MNO delivery. In this context, the “Early 5G” phase could be perceived as a bittersweet, “grace period.” As the gradual deployment takes place before a full implementation, “Early 5G” grants a brief period for players to better understand the capabilities of early deployment, and could potentially provide the ability to modify their value propositions to differentiate – or integrate with – 5G.
Additional issues to consider:
- What services/connectivity use cases will be enabled by 5G?
- How will the broader IoT connectivity landscape incorporate 5G?
- Will future device types and OEMs, ranging from traditional mobile handsets to IoT devices, view 5G as a single connectivity layer (along with legacy telecommunications) or part of a multi-mode environment?
- What industry collaboration will be required to accelerate or facilitate the transition to 5G?
- In what ways can players negatively impacted by upcoming 5G networks incorporate 5G into their existing product/services in order to maximize potential benefit? Which industries are most at risk?
