Increasingly commentators are concluding that 5G was a failure. But opinion is divided. This article considers the question and more importantly the lessons that might be learnt.
An important caveat is that we are only halfway through 5G’s deployment period (assuming 6G appears around 2030) and that most networks do not have the standalone (SA) feature that will deliver improved performance and features. That may cause a revision of opinion in the future.
To answer the question as to whether 5G was a failure, it is first necessary to define what the objectives of 5G were. Then it is possible to assess whether those objectives were met.
I think 5G was not a failure for operators. It provides significant capacity increases at many sites, with MU-MIMO working wonders for congested areas. In fact, it effectively delivers a 3x-5x boost in site capacity and throughput.
Agreed. While 5G may not have significantly transformed subscriber-facing applications yet, it has excelled in diversifying the use of mobile networks and introducing several advanced transmission techniques. These innovations have enhanced network efficiency, reliability, and versatility across various industries.
The other “triangle” - URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication) and mMTC (Massive Machine-Type Communication) - is still far from reaching maturity.
URLLC will become more viable with the deployment of SA (Standalone) networks, network slicing, and advanced features like mini-slot scheduling. Developments that will enable the ultra-reliable, low-latency performance required for critical applications.
However, mMTC (Massive Machine-Type Communication) still seems far from realization, as its widespread adoption depends on overcoming challenges such as scaling the network to handle billions of devices efficiently and addressing the associated cost and power constraints.
Public network
There is no significant data rate demands use case emerged.
LTE had crazy social network demand. 2x, 3x data usage increase in couple of years.
Private (Enterprise/Gov.)
RedCap/eRedCap RF soc starts to be available. But LTE IIoT RF soc are available < $10. Cost effectiveness will be critical for 5G IIoT.
My honest opinion is that it is premature to conclude that 5G is a failure.
Just like 3G, which was initially criticized but consolidated itself as a basis for 4G, 5G is paving the way for significant technological advances.
We are still at a stage where the infrastructure is being adjusted, and new use cases are being explored (which is why we see this in many places).
But honestly I think this will always happen, the odd generation will be something that will prepare for the next generation to come much more consolidated, just as happened with 4G and will happen with 6G.
