5G Rollout
In the last issue, Tony looked at “The 5G Conundrum” and explained some of the technology issues faced by 5G deployment as well as some of the claimed benefits that we look to enjoy. So is 5G here yet? Or is it forever on the horizon? We take a look at progress and expectations as well as whether the hype is really justified—or even necessary. To some, 5G is still “a solution looking for a problem.”
5G Simplified

5G is actually two separate things. Firstly it is a signalling protocol standard that is an evolution of what is used in 4G networks. Secondly it is a new set of radio frequencies providing more bandwidth, most of which are at much higher frequencies.
It’s the new frequencies that are proving to be quite controversial.
New Territory
Frequencies above 30 GHz have never been used for wide area communications. 5G objectors point out that the 5G millimeter waves are very close to those used by the US Army in their crowd dispersal guns which generate an intolerable heating sensation until a person moves out of the beam. Some suggest that our current radio frequency safety standards will need to be revisited.
The Real World
Practical experience in trials is not matching theory nor is it as good as the demo installations that heralded a great new era. Clearly there are real world issues that need to be better understood before we are ready for major rollout. There are also an increasing number of jurisdictions that are refusing permission to widely deploy millimetre wave cell sites. Perhaps coincidentally, many of these jurisdictions have deployed wide area WiFi with a business model that will be impacted if 5G cellular were allowed to compete.
Several court cases are underway—all of which focus on alleged safety issues of millimetre wave radio frequencies.
Another Approach
It turns out that 5G protocols can be used with some existing 4G frequencies and networks without tackling the technology and range issues of Hi-Band “millimetre waves.” Low- and Mid-Band frequencies are better understood. The former serve our current 4G LTE networks and the latter are used for WiFi.
Once the technology is shaken down, it is likely that we will get better performance from 5G using the old 4G infrastructure (cell towers and backhaul network) to support rapid rollout is engineered.
The downside is that lower frequencies do not easily lend themselves to the “blistering network speeds” users are expecting from 5G.
The Future
Clearly the industry sees a need for 5G as users data usage continues to escalate. In the near-term, most demands can be met by evolving proven 4G technology and extending it into “Wi-Fi like” mid-band frequencies around 6GHz.
The new >30 GHz frequencies can deliver focussed applications to moving vehicles in limited areas but the case for the much hyped 5G urban 100m cell site grid could prove stillborn.
This article was published in the
September 2019
edition of The TMC Advisor
- ISSN 2369-663X Volume:6 Issue:2
©2019 TMC Consulting