Release of 5G Radio Specifications on Track for June 2018

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), an organization working under the apron of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is a key player in developing future wireless technologies. Its current project, Release 15, also known as the specifications for 5G radio, is following a strict timeline leading up to its release in June 2018.


*Source: 3GPP*

The 3GPP Technical Specifications Group has in place measures to ensure that the New Radio (NR) scope for Release 15 incorporates important features. Key among these are the Standalone and Non-Standalone NR operations. The non-standalone operation in this context signifies the use of LTE as the control plane anchor, while the standalone operation refers to a full control plane capability for NR. These two functions will run together, and several potential architectural options for their configuration will be further scrutinized during the study.

Release 15 is also focusing on various target use-cases such as Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) as well as Low Latency and High Reliability, which will be fundamental in enabling some Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLCC) use-cases. Frequencies both below and above 6GHz will be tapped into.

Dino Flore, Chairman of the 3GPP TSG RAN, shared his optimism. “We now have a more concrete plan to guide the studies in the Working Groups and to put us in the position to address both short term and long term opportunities of 5G,” he affirmed.

The push for 5G is all part of the ITU’s broader mission to make 5G globalization a reality by 2020, with networks worldwide already beginning 5G tests. 5G boasts of being expected to achieve speeds 10-100 times faster than today’s average 4G LTE connections. Translation? Downloading video files, including your favorite TV shows, in 3 seconds or less. Imagine that. In a USA today report, Verizon declared that 5G will potentially deliver up to 50 times the throughput of current 4G LTE, reducing latency to a single millisecond.

As technological pioneers continue their advance into the 5G era, users await with bated breath. Yet, amidst the anticipation, one thing remains clear – the impact of 5G on our digital experiences is poised to be significant.