At the heart of the telecommunications revolution, major carriers are looking beyond their current 5G networks, focusing on an evolutionary leap known as “5.5G” or “5G Advanced.” The development made headlines at the recent Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, where it attracted the attention of global telecom leaders such as Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica, BT and Vodafone. These companies are pioneering the next generation of mobile internet and promise to unlock a plethora of advanced applications beyond anything currently imaginable.
5G to 5.5G: Seamless evolution
While consumers are still adapting to 5G, the telecom industry is already moving towards 5.5G. This new phase aims to not only increase speed but also enable a wider range of applications, including mixed reality headsets, self-driving cars, and smart manufacturing. Innovations like the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest Pro headsets are just the beginning, with 5.5G expected to further bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds. GSMA Intelligence forecasts show a significant adoption curve for 5G connections to reach 1.6 billion by the end of his 2023 and 5.5 billion by 2030, covering more than half of all mobile connections.
Future challenges and opportunities
The transition to 5.5G is not without its challenges. Despite the rapid rollout of 5G networks, consumer adoption remains lower than expected. However, the industry remains optimistic and sees 5.5G as the key to unlocking the full potential of mobile internet. This includes leveraging low latency for real-time applications, which are important in areas such as autonomous driving and IoT. The evolution towards 5.5G will require significant investment and collaboration across the communications sector to establish global standards and ensure interoperability.
The future is now: pioneering 5.5G
Early trials and collaborations point to the transformative potential of 5.5G as the communications industry prepares for this next evolutionary step. STC Group’s successful 5G mmWave trials, which achieved speeds in excess of 10Gbps, and TCL’s partnership with Qualcomm in 5G RedCap technology demonstrate the industry’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible. These advances not only promise unprecedented speed and connectivity, but also pave the way for a new era of digital innovation and customer experience.
The transition from 5G to 5.5G is a pivotal moment in telecommunications with the potential to redefine connectivity, drive economic growth, and accelerate innovation on a global scale. As the world focuses on this sector, the promise of a more connected, efficient and innovative future becomes increasingly tangible.
