TIA: 5G Expectations Include Multiple Spectrum Bands

Telecommunications providers continue to be challenged as a result of rapid, ongoing growth in data demand originating from a growing range of connected devices, particularly mobile devices. That’s adding impetus to next-generation 5G wireless broadband research and development. New market research from Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) reveals what mobile network operators expect from 5G wireless technology, which could see limited deployment as soon as 2018.

Three-quarters of survey respondents said prospects of enhanced mobile broadband capacity (76 percent) and supporting growth and development of the Internet of Things (IoT) are 5G R&D’s two primary drivers, according to TIA’s white paper, ¨5G Operator Survey 2015.¨ When it comes to actual deployments, one-third of network operator employees surveyed said their companies would launch commercial 5G services prior to 2021. Most don´t expect that will occur until after 2022. Sponsored by TIA and InterDigital and produced by Heavy Reading, report authors point out that SK Telecom plans to demonstrate a 5G network at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Japan’s DoCoMo intends to launch a 5G network at the 2020 Summer Olympics.