The new 3GPP 5G Advanced specifications promise advanced features and functions. It is expected that in 2025, telecom companies and vendors will move forward in this direction, as there are chances for spending in the telecom sector to recover.
Progress Towards 5G Advanced
Wireless network operators in the US and worldwide are expected to move towards the 5G Advanced speed standard in 2025 and beyond. However, this doesn’t mean that the transition to this networking standard will be easy. Operators will face various challenges while delivering 5G Advanced-based services to consumers.
Most of the technologies included in 5G Advanced assume that network operators have already introduced a standalone (SA)version that supports advanced features like network slicing. However, for many operators, achieving this setup has proven to be difficult.
Most wireless operators initially launched 5G with non-standalone NSA technology because it was easier to implement.
Additionally, to upgrade to 5G Advanced, wireless network operators will need to invest more, but they are already cautious about increasing expenses, especially since the financial benefits from the current 5G implementation have not been significant.
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Competition and Investment Recovery
Despite this, competition among telecom network operators, especially 5G operators, is intense. There are also signs that most operators will begin spending again on their networks starting in 2025. Equipment and software for 5G Advanced could also be part of this investment.
What is 5G-Advanced?
The 3GPP Standards Association completed work on 5G Release 18 during the summer of 2024, which is now available to 5G equipment manufacturers. This release officially defines 5G Advanced.
Ericsson, on its website, highlights the features of 5G Advanced. With key components of AI/ML, 5G Advanced systems will support advanced technologies like Extended Reality (XR) and Reduced Capability (RedCap) devices. Additionally, these systems will improve network energy efficiency.
Qualcomm has also expressed hopes of introducing technologies like MIMO and low-energy consumption through 5G Advanced. Each wireless network operator will need to decide which features of 5G Release 18 to implement and when. As with all 3GPP specifications, operators can choose technologies based on their specific needs.
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Looking To The Future:
T-Mobile has announced plans to launch its first 5G Advanced services in the US by the end of 2025.
This isn’t surprising, as T-Mobile has always been a leader in 5G. It was the first operator in the US to launch the SA version and introduced advanced services like network slicing.
On the other hand, 5G Advanced vendors like Ericsson see this technology as an opportunity to transform their business model. Ericsson’s CEO said,
We will sell more software in the future, and our products will have a greater share of software. It may initially have a negative effect on revenues, but it will help boost overall profits.
As part of its 5G Advanced launch, Ericsson introduced the concept of programmable networks. In July 2024, the company demonstrated its interference sensing features, designed to detect interference between cells and improve performance.
In Australia, this feature, implemented by Optus, increases users’ throughput by an average of 22%.
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Warm-up:
5G Advanced marks a new chapter of innovation and progress for the telecom industry. In 2025, the growing interest and investment from network operators in this technology will bring advanced services and improved performance to consumers.