5 fallacies about 5G

Lauded as the harbinger of the Internet-connected future, 5G connectivity hangs on the precipice of the IoT future, potentially delivering ultrafast data at practically unlimited capacity, blanketing cities with true high-speed Internet. The telecommunication standard is widely considered one of the hottest tech developments of the recent time, affording industry professionals the rare opportunity to build the next generation of wireless infrastructure. Despite the nascent industry still striving to establish the standards that will define 5G’s capabilities and parameters, some have already taken to calling 5G a solution that already exists.

Seeking to debunk the industry’s most pervasive myths, Seize Onoe, CTO of NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s largest mobile carrier, has launched a campaign to ground expectations within reality so that 5G can be deployed as successfully as possible. Speaking at a keynote during the IEEE International Conference on Communications in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Onoe presented five misconceptions.

1. 5G must use a “hot spot” system
Current speculation holds that telecom operators will broadcast 5G signals in small concentrated areas using new base stations affixed to rooftops and lampposts rather than broadcasting the signal over a wide area, as is the case with traditional cell towers.

Instead of universally broadcasting 5G over wide areas, current speculation holds that telecom operators will broadcast the signal in small concentrated areas using new base stations affixed to rooftops and lampposts. Onoe discredits this belief as a self-fulfilling prophecy that will stifle innovation, claiming that by labeling 5G as a “hot spot” system, the industry is closing itself off from exploring other commercially viable strategies. Concentrated clusters of hotspots will almost indefinitely provide faster coverage in dense urban populations, but won’t be convenient in sparse rural areas.

2. 5G is an expensive investment
Onoe’s most controversial opinion states that deploying 5G will not necessitate a massive investment in new infrastructure, because the standard is sustainable by much of the existing infrastructure. The argument is especially true when buying into the notion that 5G need not be deployed through concentrated hotspots. Better service does not correlate with greater capital investment.

To back up his point, Onoe describes how NTT DOCOMO’s $600 million in capital expenditures last year marked a 15-year low, even though data traffic across its network rose by 6300% since the year 2000. On the contrary, he predicts NTT DOCOMO’s capital expenditures will drop throughout 5G deployment, keeping in trend with previous wireless generations; NTT DOCOMO’s historic 20-year capital expenditures provide no indication of when the company deployed 3G and 4G services.

3. 5G will render 4G obsolete
It’s a widely known fact that 3G connectivity is still available, although 4G has replaced it as the most optimal solution. In some parts of the world, even 2G service is still around. The point is, no wireless network has ever replaced its predecessor in a single fell swoop. Transitioning into the latest standard takes time. Also, IoT devices that transmit limited amounts of data once an hour or day typically operate in low bandwidth and do not need super-fast connectivity. In these cases, 4G networks will suffice.

4. 5G will require more spectrum than is currently available
Another commonly perpetuated fallacy suggests that the radio spectra available for wireless communication is running out of available space, and will only get worse as 5G further increase the amount of bandwidth consumed per user. While not entirely true, the issue isn’t an end all. Not can only can the existing spectrum be freed up by recycling bandwidth, but DARPA is developing machine-learning-based software that can reallocate bandwidth in real-time where it’s most needed.

5. Everything needs to be 5G
As with onset of 4G and every new standard that came before it, industry experts are scampering to find as many uses for 5G as possible, including IoT, autonomous driving, and mobile broadband. Newness is not always synonymous with efficiency—most IoT-connected devices don’t need an over the air data bandwidth of 10 Gbps.

Source: IEEE Spectrum
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