The 6G industry, projected to reach $46.20 billion by 2033, depends on 5G Advanced technology, which builds the technical foundation for next-generation networks. 5G technology has grown substantially since its 2019 deployment, and 5G-Advanced now represents a breakthrough in network capabilities.
This technological advancement delivers notable gains in network efficiency, latency, throughput, and coverage. 5G Advanced brings powerful MIMO technology, sub-band full duplex mode, and positioning accuracy as precise as sub-10 cm for indoor and outdoor devices. 3GPP Release 18 launches 5G Advanced and revolutionizes consumer and enterprise solutions. These solutions span cloud gaming, immersive reality, and industrial sensor networks.
Understanding 5G Advanced Evolution
5G Advanced marks a big step forward in mobile network technology and represents the mid-point of 5G standardization. This development brings significant improvements that make it stand out from traditional 5G networks.
Key differences between 5G and 5G Advanced
5G Advanced brings remarkable improvements over standard 5G networks. The system delivers 20% higher data rates than conventional 5G. The technology makes handovers smooth with almost zero service interruption. One of its standout features is knowing how to provide sub-10cm positioning accuracy in both indoor and outdoor environments.
3GPP Release 18 and 19 specifications
Release 18, completed in June 2024, sets the foundation for 5G Advanced. We focused on improving existing capabilities and introduced new features for industrial applications. Release 19, scheduled to finish by the end of 2025, will be a bridge to 6G technology while pushing 5G capabilities further.
The specifications bring these key improvements:
- Enhanced support for non-terrestrial networks and satellite connectivity
- Better capabilities for Industrial IoT and machine-type communication
- Advanced network slicing and multicast services
- Making use of AI/ML technologies in all network domains
Core technical capabilities
5G Advanced brings detailed technical improvements that make it unique. The technology works smoothly with current 5G NR Releases 15-17, which ensures devices work perfectly with legacy 5G. The system shines in uplink-demanding applications, especially when you need live, high-quality video streaming.
The architecture uses AI and ML improvements across the RAN, Core, and network management layers. This results in better performance, network optimization, and energy efficiency. In addition, it introduces enhanced positioning features that support use cases in a variety of areas—from smart power grid control to industrial automation and up-to-the-minute financial transactions.
Advanced Network Architecture
5G Advanced network architecture brings significant improvements in many areas. These architectural changes set new standards in wireless communication by focusing on better performance and optimization.
Enhanced MIMO and beamforming
The architecture includes evolved MIMO capabilities that boost both uplink and downlink throughput. Instead of traditional approaches, 5G Advanced uses an improved MIMO beamforming framework that adapts to user mobility. The system switches between different beamforming methods based on user speed to ensure peak performance.
This architecture handles massive antenna setups and supports more antenna ports. These improvements lead to more precise channel quality coverage, which improves beamforming accuracy.
Network slicing improvements
Network slicing capabilities in 5G Advanced offer unprecedented flexibility in management. Operators can now set up slices for specific geographic zones and extend functions to roaming partner networks. These changes make it possible to:
- Configure slices for different areas based on available infrastructure
- Maintain better service continuity across network slices
- Control device access to specific slices with precision
The architecture uses live analytics to manage slices automatically while keeping strict security protocols. This automation helps predict traffic patterns and ensures service-level agreements for each slice.
Edge computing integration
Edge computing and 5G Advanced work together to optimize service delivery. The architecture puts data storage and computation closer to data sources, reducing network and application delays.
Multi-access-edge compute (MEC) software platforms help connect edge servers and 5G network elements continuously. This setup supports live computer vision processing and immersive applications that need ultra-low latency.
The architecture works better with private 5G networks where organizations retain control over their network resources. These private networks deliver optimal latency, bandwidth, and wireless connectivity for business applications.
AI and Machine Learning Integration
AI and Machine Learning are the foundation of 5G Advanced’s improved capabilities. They bring intelligent automation and optimization to all network layers, representing a significant step forward in network intelligence and operations.
Network automation capabilities
AI-powered RAN allows users to process data and make smart decisions immediately. The systems started with automated processes that optimize and improve network performance. These automation solutions spot and fix potential problems before they can affect service quality, reducing downtime and making networks more reliable.
5G Advanced brings new AI and ML technologies to RAN, core, and network management areas to improve performance and save energy. The system helps collect data, train AI/ML models, and effectively share them between AI/ML agents. The technology puts AI/ML at the air interface to boost 5G-Advanced radio performance.
Intelligent resource management
5G Advanced’s resource management system tackles the challenge of meeting different service needs in various use cases. The network gives out resources to meet exact requirements while getting the most from the infrastructure. These resources include:
- Computing and storage optimization
- Network bandwidth distribution
- End-to-end performance guarantees
- Real-time load balancing
AI-based resource allocation cuts network latency by up to 57.9% and saves 82.3% energy consumption. The system also shares resources dynamically between network slices to give the best performance for different industry needs.
Predictive maintenance systems
5G Advanced’s predictive maintenance uses sensor networks to share data with analytics systems. These sensors watch equipment performance and spot potential breakdowns and efficiency problems early. Organizations can add new measurements and sensors easily at any scale to keep a close eye on how their machines are running.
The maintenance framework uses advanced algorithms to process data and respond quickly to warnings. Technicians can fix problems remotely without being present in person. The system constantly learns from network interactions and changing demand patterns to stay reliable for all kinds of uses.
Enterprise-Focused Features
5G Advanced’s enterprise features create new business opportunities through specialized device support and better network capabilities. These improvements meet specific industry needs and provide affordable deployment options.
RedCap device support
Reduced Capability (RedCap) devices are significant in 5G Advanced’s enterprise strategy. Standard 5G devices use more power and complexity than these devices. RedCap supports enterprise applications of all types with a focus on:
- Smart grid monitoring systems
- Industrial wireless sensors
- Video surveillance cameras
- Augmented reality equipment
- Health monitoring devices
- Entry-level laptops
RedCap devices achieve peak data rates of 85/90 Mbps in low bands. They use extended discontinuous reception mechanisms that allow sleep cycles up to 2.56 seconds. This feature improves battery life without sacrificing key functions.
Industrial IoT capabilities
5G Advanced allows shared connectivity between machines, sensors, and mobile entities in the implementation of Industrial IoT (IIoT). The system’s strict performance requirements and mobility management features benefit manufacturing environments.
Industrial processes stay synchronized through time-sensitive networking capabilities. 5G Advanced achieves positioning accuracy under 10 centimeters indoors and outdoors. With this precision, smart factories and warehouses can manage automated machinery.
Private network enhancements
5G Advanced significantly improves private networks, with 737 companies worldwide already using these solutions. Indoor positioning, time-critical communication, and intent-based performance work better in these networks.
Applications needing bounded low latency and minimal delay variation now have deterministic networking. This advancement is vital for industrial control systems and mission-critical operations. Better signal processing techniques help private networks provide enhanced coverage in buildings, tunnels, and remote locations.
Organizations can configure custom slices based on available infrastructure to ensure optimal performance across different geographic zones. Network resources remain under complete control while specific applications receive guaranteed service quality through these improvements.
Blueprint for 6G Networks
Release 20 sets a key milestone in wireless technology and lays out the technical blueprint for 6G networks. This release connects advanced 5G features with the building blocks of next-generation wireless communication.
Technical foundations for 6G
Release 20 brings system-wide improvements that focus on network energy efficiency and sustainability. The base system now includes Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) protocols and 256-bit algorithms that work smoothly with existing 128-bit systems.
The technical architecture focuses on three main capabilities:
- Integrated sensing and communications (ISAC)
- Native AI framework across network layers
- Uninterrupted connectivity through multi-orbit satellite networks
Release 20 improves Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) to handle voice communication at low data rates of 1-2 kbps over IoT-NTN connections. The system also adds special emergency call features through satellite access when ground coverage fails.
Development pathway
The path to 6G follows a clear timeline that started with early studies in Release 19. Release 20 (2025-2027) will bring the first official 6G study items. The process will end with Release 21 (2027-2029), which marks the first phase of 6G standardization.
The International Telecommunication Union’s IMT-2030 framework guides this development with plans for 6G deployment by the early 2030s. The framework highlights improved mobile broadband, massive machine-type communications, and ultra-reliable low-latency communications.
Future-ready features
6G networks will power interactive 4D maps of whole cities, enabling precise position and time coordination for large-scale planning. The system also includes zero-energy sensors, advanced AR glasses, and haptic interfaces.
The architecture goes beyond basic communication features. The network compute fabric combines connectivity and computing into one system. This combination creates cognitive networks that use machine learning and reasoning to solve complex problems independently.
Security stays crucial as 6G introduces high-trust cyber-physical systems that connect humans and intelligent machines. These systems need extreme reliability, precise positioning, and sensing capabilities. The architecture supports distributed computing and adaptive trust mechanisms through a complete AI framework.
The upper mid-band spectrum (7-24 GHz) shows promise as a wide-area coverage band for 6G, with bandwidth that exceeds 500 MHz. This spectrum allocation handles the growing capacity needs for holographic communication and widespread IoT applications.
Conclusion
5G Advanced bridges today’s 5G networks and tomorrow’s 6G technology. The advanced network architecture delivers outstanding performance gains through improvements in MIMO technology, network slicing, and AI integration. These improvements set technical standards that will shape next-generation communications.
The technology brings real benefits in various areas. RedCap devices make IoT deployments more economical, and better positioning accuracy helps with precise industrial applications. AI-driven network automation combines these capabilities to create reliable foundations for enterprise solutions.
The Release 20 specifications pave the way for 6G deployment in the 2030s. They introduce building blocks like post-quantum cryptography, integrated sensing, and advanced satellite connectivity. Upper mid-band spectrum allocation helps meet growing needs for holographic communication and omnipresent IoT applications. Backward compatibility remains vital for a smooth transition.
Wireless technology continues to expand beyond traditional communication limits. It’s becoming an intelligent, adaptive system that supports new applications from interactive 4D mapping to zero-energy sensors. These changes ensure networks can handle complex reliability, security, and performance requirements in all use cases.
