5G Wireless Technology: Use Cases and Applications

The term 5G refers to the fifth generation of wireless technology, following the same 3GPP roadmap previously used by 3G and 4G. The first 3GPP specifications for 5G NR Release 15 were published in December 2017. While the speed of 4G technology was adequate for video streaming and online gaming, it doesn’t fully address the needs of certain use cases such as IoT (Internet of Things), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR).

To meet these requirements, the 5G NR (New Radio) standard was developed. Typically, 5G deployment includes small cells on nearly every street corner, in addition to mobile towers like 4G. 5G applications span across multiple industries, including public safety, the automotive industry, the broadcasting industry, aeronautics, health, utilities, education, and more.

Key Features of 5G Technology

The key features of 5G wireless technology are as follows:

• Wide Range of Spectrums: 5G supports a wide range of spectrums below 1 GHz, from 1 to 6 GHz, and the mmWave range of 24/30 GHz to 300 GHz.
• High Throughput: 5G supports 10-20 Gbps peak throughput and 15 Tbps/Km².
• Programmability: Programmability as per use cases using the network slicing concept.
• Low Latency: 5G supports 1-2 ms of latency, enabling certain latency-sensitive use cases such as mobile games and AR/VR.
• Virtualized Network Functions: 5G supports virtualized network functions (e.g., Virtual RAN, Virtual EPC, Virtual IMS).
• High Capacity: High capacity to allow more devices to connect concurrently (i.e., 500,000 UEs/Km²).
• Low Battery Consumption: Reduced energy usage for connected devices.
• High Reliability: 5G offers 99.99% availability.
• Mobility: 5G offers mobility (500-1000 Km/hr) to extend high-quality coverage to users traveling in cars, trains, and airplanes.
• Massive Machine Type Communications: 5G offers massive machine-type communications (1 million device connections per Km², high energy efficiency, 20 dB coverage enhancement).

10 Applications of 5G NR (New Radio) Wireless Technology

Let’s explore some applications of 5G technology:

1. Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB):

   • Usage: High-speed internet access, HD video streaming, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), and gaming.
   • Benefits: High Data Rates, Improved Capacity

2. Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC):

   • Usage: Autonomous driving, remote surgery, industrial automation, and mission-critical applications.
   • Benefits: Low Latency, High Reliability

3. Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC):

   • Usage: Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, smart agriculture, and sensor networks.
   • Benefits: Scalability, Energy Efficiency

4. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA):

   • Usage: Providing high-speed broadband in rural and underserved areas where fiber deployment is impractical.
   • Benefits: Broadband Connectivity, Cost-Effective Deployment

5. Smart Cities:

   • Usage: Smart traffic management, energy management, public safety, and environmental monitoring.
   • Benefits: Efficient Resource Management, Real-Time Data

6. Healthcare:

   • Usage: Telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and connected medical devices.
   • Benefits: Access to Care, Continuous Monitoring

7. Industrial Automation:

   • Usage: Factory automation, remote control of machinery, and predictive maintenance.
   • Benefits: Increased Productivity, Reduced Downtime

8. Autonomous Vehicles:

   • Usage: Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication for autonomous cars and smart transportation systems.
   • Benefits: Safety, Traffic Efficiency

9. Entertainment and Media:

   • Usage: Enhanced live event streaming, immersive AR/VR experiences, and cloud gaming.
   • Benefits: Enhanced User Experience, Seamless Streaming

10. Retail:

    • Usage: Smart shelves, personalized shopping experiences, and augmented reality shopping.
    • Benefits: Customer Engagement, Operational Efficiency

5G Use Cases Examples

Let’s delve into specific examples of 5G NR technology use cases, including enhanced mobile broadband, fixed wireless, live television (TV), robotic surgery, autonomous cars, and massive IoT.

5G Use Case #1: Enhanced Mobile Broadband

With data speeds in the 10 to 20 Gbps range, 5G is well-suited for eMBB (Enhanced Mobile Broadband) services. In an eMBB scenario, CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) or routers equipped with 5G modems connect to the 5G network for internet access. WiFi is used for local shared access of a single 5G internet connection among multiple users. The eMBB services are installed in places such as trains, PTS (Public Transport Systems), malls, airports, and sports events with large user populations.

5G Use Case #2: Fixed Wireless

5G offers broadband access to residential or small enterprise customers using a 5G CPE connected to a 5G gNB (Next Generation NodeB, i.e., a 5G base station). This can be used by multiple devices, such as televisions, VOIP phones, mobile devices, tablets, and laptops. The WiFi feature on the 5G CPE helps in using this 5G connection simultaneously among multiple users. Fixed wireless services eliminate the need for last-mile connectivity by avoiding unnecessary digging and laying of cables.

Installation is very simple. The service provider provides a 5G-compliant CPE that connects automatically with the 5G tower or 5G small cell when powered ON. The service provider authenticates the CPE device before granting access to the 5G internet.

5G Use Case #3: Live TV

As mentioned, higher bandwidth and low latency allow 5G service providers to stream live TV. SK Telecom has already demonstrated live TV broadcasting over a 5G network. Most 5G service providers relay 5G services along with OTT (Over the Top) services such as Apple TV or YouTube TV, using their own or third-party services. Live TV services are available to residential or enterprise users at airports, hotels, etc.

5G Use Case #4: Robotic Surgery

5G offers ultra-low latency (i.e., 0.5 to 1ms), which makes it ideal for latency-sensitive applications such as remote surgery using robotic arms. This 5G use case allows a doctor to remotely diagnose a patient by performing surgery. This feature allows hospitals to quickly attend to patients and save their lives. Moreover, patients benefit by eliminating transport and consequently saving money.

Due to Covid-19, there is huge demand for the use of telemedicine services by patients who do not need in-person consultation. This reduces the chances of getting exposed to unavoidable diseases. Due to 4G and now 5G, the use of telemedicine services has increased across the globe.

5G Use Case #5: Autonomous Cars

Self-driving autonomous cars consume a lot of bandwidth and require quick responses from the network. These cars need to quickly decide whether an object ahead is a vehicle or a human being. Autonomous cars require continuous access to the cloud using a wireless network. 5G fulfills the needs of autonomous cars as it supports higher bandwidth and low latency.

MEC (Multi-Access Edge Computing) helps car manufacturers host their applications and make services available at the edge of the network. Autonomous cars push statistics on their health to the applications using the cloud.

5G Use Case #6: Massive IoT

Several countries are deploying IoT networks for their smart city initiatives. IoT solutions connect smart meters, surveillance cameras, smart traffic lights, light poles, and temperature monitoring devices to the internet. This is known as massive IoT. 5G supports millions of devices per square Km. Hence 5G supports this massive IoT use case.

In IoT use cases, sensors/devices are either directly connected with a 5G tower or through a Gateway. Devices are connected with the IoT gateway using protocols such as Zigbee/LoRa, etc. This gateway connects with the 5G tower.

Other than the 5G use cases mentioned above, there are many more, which include online gaming, Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR), smart homes/buildings, and smart cities. The 5G applications are also numerous, including voice, 3D video, UHD screens, e-health (mission-critical applications), and industrial automation.

Conclusion

5G NR brings significant advancements over previous generations, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and the ability to connect a massive number of devices. Its applications span across various sectors, including mobile broadband, healthcare, industrial automation, smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and entertainment. The benefits of 5G NR include enhanced user experiences, increased efficiency, improved safety, and the potential to drive innovation in numerous industries.