With 5G approaching, people across the UK are imagining the possibilities this ultra-fast connectivity will bring. Before full rollout, however, we must acquire suitable hardware and objective, accurate data about real user experience and coverage.
Building 5G
Unlike 3G and 4G, which were developed mainly as new radio interfaces, 5G has been driven largely by discussions about use cases and applications. As a result, the shape and scope of 5G have been defined by the services and performance it must deliver.
Once deployed, 5G will enhance everyday life for many consumers by enabling more automated, interactive connected services and machines. Emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles, smart city infrastructure and the Internet of Things (IoT) depend on consistent, flexible 5G connectivity. That connectivity will also enable enhanced services like high-speed in-vehicle entertainment, on-demand interactions with connected objects, and broader coverage for smartphones, wearables and machine-to-machine (M2M) devices.
Technically, 5G focuses on new network performance targets: peak indoor speeds up to 1 Gbps for smart office environments, sustained speeds around 300 Mbps in dense urban outdoor areas, and ultra-low latencies measured in single-digit milliseconds. 5G specifications also aim to support devices in fast-moving vehicles — up to speeds approaching 300 mph. While that figure may seem extreme, high-speed rail tests in countries such as Japan and China have already approached these velocities, and commercial services may move toward those speeds in the coming years.
Defining 5G
The UK is well-placed to benefit from the 5G transition thanks to its strong 4G coverage and overall network quality. 4G reached a high level of customer penetration in a relatively short time, and operators already provide substantial coverage even in many rural areas. UK users often have access to 4G across broader areas than in several other European countries. The UK has also hosted multiple independent trials exploring new services on 4G while anticipating 5G capabilities, including tests related to autonomous transport and smart-city deployments.
Despite early trials and development work, 5G still lacks a single, universally accepted definition. That lack of standardisation could create challenges for major events and deployments in the near term. For example, large-scale showcases or requirements around significant sporting events may face interoperability and implementation hurdles if standards are not yet harmonised.
The 5G future
To progress toward a reliable 5G future, continuous testing and monitoring of networks and devices must be accepted as standard practice so that clear, usable standards can be established and continuously refined. In the past, ambiguous standards have caused interoperability problems, particularly where multiple vendors and suppliers are involved.
Rigorous monitoring should cover all relevant domains, including: 5G trial performance, radio interfaces, device specifications, security frameworks, IoT integration, self-organising networks (SON), network function virtualisation (NFV), architectural changes, and the service requirements of new applications.
Testing and monitoring must not be left solely to service providers, who naturally favour publishing positive outcomes and highlighting success stories while downplaying or omitting negative findings such as uncovered areas, unconnected users, or variations in speed, latency and dropped connections.
An independent, neutral institute can fill this gap by publishing consistent, transparent results year after year, building an historical record of network development and service levels. Such unbiased data are vital for governments and regulators, who require reliable, comparable information to make policy and investment decisions about telecoms infrastructure.
Regular, objective testing is already valued in today’s environment and will become increasingly critical as technologies and applications grow in complexity. Consumers rarely have the means to perform comprehensive pre-contract research into network performance, so impartial testing and monitoring will remain essential to protect users and inform policy.
What are your thoughts on 5G testing? Let us know in the comments.