4G/5G

4G LTE is the current network standard across the United States with 1G and 2G networks discontinued and most 3G networks to be dismantled (sunset) over the next 2 years. The roll out of 5G has created significant marketing hype but in most cases is returning little noticeable value to the average user largely because most handsets are unable to utilize 5G. That said the promise of 5G is real and coming realistically in 2021 and 2022.

4G LTE Info

Expect the first applications of 5G to be for IoT or for the densification of very large Indoor environments like Stadiums, Airports and Office Towers. 5G will enable billions of new devices like sensors and machines that are low bandwidth, low power and low cost to be added to the network. Additionally, video streaming will be greatly improved by the high bandwidth characteristics of 5G as well.

The ramifications of faster speeds(Gigabit) and lower latency(1 to 2 milliseconds) have an impact on innovative new applications like Autonomous Vehicles, Robotics and VR/AR. IoT applications generally are low bandwidth and are not sensitive to bandwidth concerns unless video or lidar are being used.

5G Network Densification

Network Densification is the process of increasing the number of cell sites by adding DAS (distributed antenna systems), small cells and fiber optics in a geographic coverage area to increase capacity and coverage.

The diagram below demonstrates how network densification works. The picture on the left shows the number of cell sites needed to provide 3G/4G geographic coverage. These are primarily macrocells mounted on towers. The picture on the right shows the effect of deploying small cells on buildings and poles to create significantly more capacity and coverage.

4G began the densification process by deploying Distributed Antenna Systems to the largest buildings, airports, transit centers, hospitals, hotels and stadiums with > 500,000 sq. feet of space. It also began the use of unlicensed Wi Fi as a legitimate Network Offload tool.

5G Network Densification requires moving the antennas closer to the user which is done primarily through deployment of Small Cell technology. These small cells are connected via fiber optics which enables up to 20x the capacity of networks fed by copper. While 5G is a wireless technology, it will be responsible for the deployment of millions of miles of new fiber optic cables.

Spectrum-Low, Mid and High Band

One of the most fundamental laws of physics, as it relates to wireless, is that lower frequencies travel farther and penetrate buildings deeper than higher frequencies. The 3 major US Carriers are pursuing differing strategies with T-Mobile and AT&T using low band to gain fast coverage improvements while Verizon is using Millimeter Wave (Ultra-Wide Band) as a fixed wireless point to point solution to gain targeted capacity gains in densely populated urban areas.

The chart below breaks out the specific frequency bands. (2500 MHz is equivalent to 2.5 GHz the entire Mid Band column can be translated into 3.55 GHz to 7.125 GHz range.)

To better understand how the carriers are applying the low, mid and high frequency bands in the market, review the map below that shows the relative coverage area by Band type. Low band technology is generally deployed by a macro tower or small cell similar to 4G to get maximum coverage while high band uses fixed point to point Millimeter Wave t backhaul high volume buildings or tower sectors to the core network.

Network Architecture

We reviewed the physical changes in a 5G network earlier but key to the benefits of 5G is a new core that utilizes virtualization and network slicing. The network architecture enables the network functions and access networks to be controlled by software. The software allows controls network slicing to enable specific capabilities across the network. The operator will be able to on demand, create and deploy elastic networks for multiple customers with their own specific virtual network functions (VNF) and security parameters. This customization offers the potential for the operator to reduce cost and develop new applications and revenue streams.

Major Manufacturers: Graybar is a leading distributor

www.graybar.com, eric.toenjes@graybar.com

JMA Wireless www.jmawireless.com

Ericsson www.ericsson.com

Nokia www.nokia.com