How will 5G Advanced deliver the next big boost to mobile broadband experiences?

Today, 5G services are commercially available in more than 90 countries globally¹, with networks supporting 5G capabilities based on 3GPP Release 15 and 16. Thanks to the Snapdragon® X70 modem-RF System, a wide range of commercial 5G devices are already delivering enhanced experiences across formfactors and use cases. The recently completed Release 17 is expected to bring another performance breakthrough with features like 1024-QAM, further increasing system capacity and user speeds. 

But a whole new level of 5G is on the horizon thanks to the forthcoming 5G Advanced. While the full scope of 5G Advanced is largely still to be defined (i.e., Release 19 and beyond), we already know what Release 18, the first of 5G Advanced standards, will bring. It’s a collection of foundational system enhancements and new capabilities that not only proliferates 5G to new devices and use cases, but also greatly benefits 5G mobile broadband delivery and experiences. Here's how Release 18 will boost mobile broadband system capabilities and user experiences.

Demo: AI-enabled enhancements for channel state feedback 

More capacity and faster speed

5G Advanced continues to push the spectral efficiency limits in both sub-7 GHz and mmWave spectrum. Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) advancements, such as support for more DMRS² ports and MIMO layers, will improve both uplink and downlink transmission performance. Release 18 is also expected to bring an intelligent air interface design. Previously shown in our advanced over-the-air demonstrations, the initial focus will be primarily on cross-node machine learning for CSF³, for reducing communication overhead that leads to improved capacity and throughput. The work towards a full duplex system is also poised to improve capacity and latency, especially for uplink. Additional enhancement like multicast reception in inactive mode can drive new device efficiencies when the network is delivering content simultaneously to multiple devices. 

Expanded coverage and enhanced mobility 

As more devices and services depend on 5G connectivity, a network dimension that is becoming ever so important is coverage. 5G Advanced will not only deliver improvement by enhancing MIMO and IAB⁴ designs, but also introducing new infrastructure like smart network-controlled repeater and mobile IAB. To provide coverage in deep-rural regions, 5G Advanced will also usher in continued enhancements for non-terrestrial satellite networks for broadband and IoT. With L1/L2-based intercell mobility and conditional handover enhancements, devices can also be more seamlessly connected as they move from one cell to another. Lastly, machine learning will enhance beam management, particularly useful in mmWave spectrum, which was prototyped in our over-the-air test network. 

Lower energy consumption 

5G Advanced is driving towards greener networks and devices, taking a closer look at energy consumption models of core infrastructure-like base stations, as well as continuing the quest to reduce device power consumption. Release 18 targets to define an evaluation model with associated KPIs that measure system energy consumption performance and study a variety of power-saving techniques. The objective is to improve energy savings across diverse system deployment scenarios. Additionally, there is an ongoing effort to introduce a brand-new, very low-power WUS⁵ design aiming to substantially reduce inactive mode device power consumption. 

New system capabilities  

5G Advanced will support capabilities beyond data communication that can further enhance user experiences. For instance, Release 18 will further improve device ranging and positioning accuracy for use cases like navigation. Sidelink will play an increasingly important role in 5G Advanced systems, not only for improving positioning and ranging performance, but also for data offloading and for connecting new devices, like wearables and XR glasses. 

What’s next? 

2023 will be another exciting year for 5G commercial proliferation, as well as 5G Advanced technology evolution. If all goes according to plan, Release 18 is expected to complete in early 2024, while the scope for Release 19 projects will also take shape at the end of this year. As we approach MWC Barcelona next month, expect there to be many exciting 5G news and announcements coming from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. 

1 NTS Statistics November 2022, GSA Research 

2 Demodulation reference signal 

3 Channel state feedback 

4 Integrated access / backhaul 

5 Wakeup signal