MASSCONNECTIVITY
IN THE 5G ERA
Preparing Now for the Future

DATA AND DEVICES /// MASS CONNECTIVITY IN THE 5G ERAPAGE 1

5G Enabling a Fully Connected World

The fifth generation of mobile networks (5G) is about to enable
a fully connected world.
With the dramatic increase in data rates and amount of connected devices, we will soon be able
to enjoy expanded communication between devices (Figure 1) and no longer be limited to userto-user and user-to-device communication. By 2025 an enormous 25 billion devices are expected
to be connected under 5G.1

Figure 1. Evolution from 1G to 5G

1980s

1G

2.4 kbps

Analog Era

1991

2G
Digital Era

64 kbps

SMS/MMS

1998

3G

MobileInternet Era

SMS/MMS

Internet
Access

Video
Calls

Mobile TV

SMS/MMS

Internet
Access

Video
Calls

Mobile TV

2,000 kbps

5G Enhances 4G Capabilities

2008

4G

MobileInternet Era

GamingServices

Cloud
Computing

AR/VR

Cloud
Computing

100,000
kbps

2020

5G

Internet ofEverythingHD
SMS/MMS

Internet
Access

Video
Calls

MobileTV HD

Robotics

Automobile

More than
1 Gbps

5G, which can be considered as an overlay to the existing 4G network, represents not only
a change to cellular networks but also an integration with communications networks suchas Wi-Fi and telemetry (Table 1).
1© GSMA Intelligence (2018) - The Mobile Economy 2017

DATA AND DEVICES /// MASS CONNECTIVITY IN THE 5G ERAPAGE 2

5G Enabling a Fully Connected World
Table 1. What 5G can do that 4G cannot

Networks

Data Rate

Latency

Mobility

Spectrum
Efficiency

Connection
Density

5G
Target>100Mb/s (avg)>10,000Mb/s(peak)~ 1ms>500km/h

Target is morethan 2x 4G>100,000

4G>25Mb/s (avg)>150Mb/s (peak)

Typically ~50ms
10ms for 2-way
Radio AccessNetwork

Functional up
to 350km/h

Download:
0.1-6.1 b/s/Hz
Upload:0.1-4.3 b/s/Hz

Typical ~2000
active users/km2

According to the Next Generation Mobile
Networks (NGMN) Alliance, “5G is an end
to end ecosystem to enable a fully mobileand connected society. It empowers value
creation for customers and partners,
through existing and emerging use cases,delivered with consistent experience, andenables sustainable business models.”2
In the near future, we could see major
benefits from embedding 5G connectivity
into nearly everything: you can virtually try
on clothing and shop at home using virtual
reality (VR) headsets; your autonomousvehicle can self-navigate and drive you toyour favorite restaurant for dinner; your

Possible 5G Enhancements
Realistic and seamless video
streaming
High definition video downloads
in a matter of seconds
Connected and autonomous
driving vehicles
Connect all your devices and smart
home equipment through the IoT
ecosystem, enabled by 5G
Increase in internet-enabled tech– smart traffic lights, wirelesssensors, mobile wearables, andcar-to-car communication

thermostat can preheat/precool at a desired
temperature by retrieving the arrival time ofyour car as well as current and forecasted
weather conditions.

5G technologies could integrate and enable the full potential of mobile
technology, big data, IoT and cloud computing while supporting
digital transformation across various sectors, including healthcare,smart vehicles, smart home, industrial automation, and more.

2© GSMA Intelligence (2014) - Understanding 5G: Perspectives on future technological advancements in mobile, December 2014.

DATA AND DEVICES /// MASS CONNECTIVITY IN THE 5G ERAPAGE 3

5G Enabling a Fully Connected World
Advanced and reliable connectivity is one of the most critical drivers to enable
5G-powered use cases which can be summarized into three family categories (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Three 5G use categories

Enhanced Mobile
Broadband> 10Gbps Peak Rates
100x vs. 4G

Massive
Machine Type
Communication

5G

Ultra Reliable
Machine Type
Communication> 1M/km2 Connections< 1ms Latency

100x vs. 4G

100x vs. 4G

Mobile Subscribers
The number of unique mobile subscribers is estimated to reach 5.9 billion by 2025, equivalent
to 71% of the world’s population. (© GSMA Intelligence (2018) The Mobile Economy 2018 )Mobile Data Traffic
Globally, mobile data traffic is expected to increase sevenfold between 2016 and 2021. Mobile
data traffic will grow at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 46 percent between
2016 and 2021, reaching 48.3 EB (exabyte) per month by 2021. (Cisco Visual Networking Index:
Forecast and Methodology, 2016–2021)

DATA AND DEVICES /// MASS CONNECTIVITY IN THE 5G ERAPAGE 4

5G Enabling a Fully Connected WorldeMBB (Enhanced Mobile Broadband)
focuses on providing services that pose high

4K TV sets - By 2021, more than half

bandwidth requirements, based on user

(56 percent) of connected flat panel

demand for an increasingly digital lifestyle.

TV sets are expected to be 4K, up

Typical applications include Virtual Reality

from 15 percent in 2016. Installed/inservice 4K TV sets will increase from(VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), 8K video,

85M in 2016 to 663M by 2021.3

and 3D video. eMBB use cases are expected
to grow rapidly, led by Asia-Pacific countries,

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

particularly Olympic hosts South Korea and- traffic is expected to increase 20-fold

Japan. The recent 2018 Pyeongchang Winterbetween 2016 and 2021, at a CAGR of

Olympics stands as one of the industry’s first82 percent.4

non-test environments of a 5G network. The

Connected Vehicles - By 2020, it ispilot project contained live or on-demand

anticipated there will be a quarter

VR coverage for 30 events, powered by 5G’s

billion connected vehicles on the road,ubiquitous coverage across venues, as well as

enabling new in-vehicle services andlow latency to enable real-time control.

automated driving capabilities.5

uRLLC (Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency

IoT Connections - The number ofInternet of Things (IoT) connections

Communications) aims to cater to the(cellular and non-cellular) is expecteddemanding digital industry and focuses

to increase more than threefold

on latency-sensitive services. Typicalworldwide between 2017- 2025,

applications include autonomous vehicles,

reaching 25 billion.6

public and mass transit systems, drones,

Mobile Technologies and Services

remote healthcare, smart grid monitoring and- In 2017, mobile technologies andcontrol. Latency can also be critical for cloudservices generated 4.5% of GDP

VR use cases where sub-millisecond latencies(Gross Domestic Product) globally, awill be important to ensure a compelling user

contribution that amounted to $3.6

experience.

trillion of economic value added. By
2022, this contribution is expected tomMTC (massive Machine Typereach $4.6 trillion, or 5% of GDP.7

Communications) aims to address
demands for a further developed digitalsociety and focuses on services thatpose high requirements on connection
density as the expansion of the service

Cisco Visual Networking Index Predicts Global Annual IP Traffic to Exceed
Three Zettabytes by 2021
3

Cisco Visual Networking Index Predicts Global Annual IP Traffic to Exceed
Three Zettabytes by 2021
4

https://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2970017

5

scope for mobile networks also enriches
the telecommunications network. Typicalapplications include smart cities, industrial© GSMA Intelligence (2018) - The Mobile Economy 20186

© GSMA Intelligence (2018) - The Mobile Economy 20187

automation, and farming.
DATA AND DEVICES /// MASS CONNECTIVITY IN THE 5G ERAPAGE 5

The 5G Engine: Architectures and Connections

Wave to Greater Capacity
5G is expected to provide an order of magnitude improvement in performancein the areas of greater capacity, lower latency, more mobility, more accuracy ofterminal location, increased reliability, and availability.8

To address the expected high capacity of 5G, there are three methods to beconsidered from the radio perspective 1) densifying networks with small cell
deployments; 2) delivering high spectral efficiency; 3) gaining access to more
spectrum, which are all closely linked to strategic spectrum deployment.

As a critical but scarce resource in the 5G era, spectrum in three key frequency ranges, each withunique features, are expected to deliver widespread coverage and support all 5G use cases: sub-1
GHz, 1-6 GHz and above 6 GHz. The first two are often referenced as sub-6GHz.
This is important as cellular data traffic continues to rise, and eMBB is set to become the core
consumer value proposition. We expect both the USA and China to lead the first wave of 5G
deployments, with different approaches. China, in our opinion, will focus initial deploymentsin the C-band (3-5 GHz) targeting IoT use cases. The USA, on the other hand, will focus initial
deployments on fixed wireless access through mmWave (above 24 GHz) frequency spectrum aswell as deployments in low bands (600 MHz).
In the long run, we believe C-band spectrum

Due to the fast-growing 4K/8K

may be challenged to deliver enhanced mobile

ultra-HD video applications

broadband due to limited spectral efficiency

and the ever increasing use ofand system capacity improvements, as well

AR and VR applications, 5G

as less than 10 ms latency. To support theis needed to supplement therequirements for wide contiguous bandwidths,

capacity of 4G networks.

mmWave bands may need to be considered.

Considering the current technical maturity and economic feasibility,
a hybrid network is very likely - in major urban areas, mmWave will be
deployed while sub-6GHz is expected to deploy in suburban areas or small
cities. Of course, 5G will also co-exist with 4G.

8

The 5G Infrastructure Public Private Partnership (5G PPP): 5G Vision

DATA AND DEVICES /// MASS CONNECTIVITY IN THE 5G ERAPAGE 6

The 5G Engine: Architectures and Connections
These bands can support large capacity

Currently, there are a large number ofincreases for high bandwidth applications.

preliminary 5G tests worldwide that are using

In addition, with techniques like beamvarious spectrum bands, particularly 3.5 GHz

forming, wireless signals could be madeand 26/28 GHz. In more than 30 regions,highly directional without causing muchthere are plans to assign spectrum in two

interference, allowing for improved spectral

bands over the next two years. (Figure 3)

efficiency. However, with increasing carrier
frequency, both path loss and diffraction loss
become more severe, and the atmosphericeffects must be considered.

Designed for Diverse Spectrum Bands/Types
Figure 3. Global snapshot of 5G spectrum bands allocated or targeted9
<1GHz

3GHz

2.5GHz(LTE B41)

5GHz

3.45-3.55GHz
3.55-3.7GHz
3.7-4.2GHz

24-28GHz

37-40GHz 64-71GHz

24.25-24.45GHz
24.75-25.25GHz
27.5-28.35GHz

37-37.6GHz
37.6-40GHz
47.2-48.2GHz

64-71GHz

27.5-28.35GHz

37-37.6GHz
37.6-40GHz

64-71GHz

USA

600MHz(2x35MHz)

Canada600MHz(2x35MHz)3.55-3.7GHz

EU

700MHz(2x30MHz)

3.4-3.8GHz

UK

700MHz(2x30MHz)

3.4-3.8GHz

26GHz

Germany

700MHz(2x30MHz)

3.4-3.8GHz

26GHz

France700MHz(2x30MHz)3.46-3.8GHz

26GHz

Italy

700MHz(2x30MHz)

3.6-3.8GHz

26.5-27.5GHz

China

3.3-3.6GHz

Korea

3.4-3.7GHzJapan

3.6-4.2GHz

Australia

3.4-3.7GHz

New 5G Band94GHz

5.9-7.1GHz

5.9-6.4GHz

4.8-5GHz

24.5-27.5GHz

24.5-27.5GHz

37.5-42.5GHz

26.5-29.5GHz

4.4-4.9GHz

26.5-28.5GHz

24.25-27.5GHz

Licensed

Unlicensed/shared

39GHz

Existing band

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

DATA AND DEVICES /// MASS CONNECTIVITY IN THE 5G ERAPAGE 7

The 5G Engine: Architectures and Connections

The Evolving Architecture
Large amounts of spectrum are required to deliver massive increases
in capacity to achieve higher speeds and lower latency. Thus, upgradedarchitectures and further advances in connection technologies are expected
to assist the realization of 5G’s full potential (Figure 4). There are three keyarchitectural shifts that impact 5G connectivity.
Figure 4. The evolving architecture

AAS

Wirelesss Fronthaul

Power

CO

Router

BBU

BBU

RRU

BTS

Routerer rk
fib two
k
ar e
D MN
D

C-RAN

B

ac
kh
a

ul

l
au
kh

BBU

F
10 ro
-2 nt
5 ha
G u
bp l
s

W

ac
B

DRAN

CO

CLOUD

DATA AND DEVICES /// MASS CONNECTIVITY IN THE 5G ERA

Data
Center

PAGE 8

The 5G Engine: Architectures and Connections
1. Adoption of Massive Minimuminput Minimum-output (MIMO) active
antenna systems (AAS)The 5G ecosystem is expected to support
high-density networks by adding newfeatures to the radios and to the overallsystem layout. The traditional combinationin 3G/4G networks of a remote radio head
connected to an external antenna will be
extended by active antenna systems (AAS)or active phased-array antennas with massive
antenna elements (massive APAA’s) (Figure5), in which the electronics will be embedded

wide frequency range (600 MHz to 28 GHz
and above) GHz. This primary system will
be supported by complementary systems indense areas (Figure 6). These complementary
systems will have a high number of antennas
to support multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO).
These antenna elements will feature their own
control electronics, requiring new connectivity
solutions. Frequencies above 6 GHz will be
predominately supported by highly integrated
systems. These radio frequency integrated
circuits (RFIC) often feature integrated
antennas on the top surface of the chipset.

in the antenna system and operating over a

Figure 5. Current 4G compared to new 5G10

10

Current (4G)

New (5G)

Antenna for 4th-generationbase systems

Massive APAA for 5th-generationbase systems

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, “Mitsubishi Electric’s New Multibeam Multiplexing 5G Technology Achieves 20Gbps Throughput”, No. 2984, Tokyo, January 21, 2016

DATA AND DEVICES /// MASS CONNECTIVITY IN THE 5G ERAPAGE 9

The 5G Engine: Architectures and Connections
5G massive active antenna systems are

and design and manufacture antennas that

anticipated to increase system complexity,

comply with the most stringent of operating

require greater miniaturization of antennas

requirements. Additionally, TE’s high-speed

and greater integration of antennas with filters

input/output (I/O), internal connector andand power amplifiers. Being a provider ofcabling solutions, cost-effective RF coax

customized embedded antenna solutions, TE

solutions and antenna modules are all welloffers a wide array of customized antennas

suited for the next generation of antenna

solutions that could accommodate thesystems.

mechanical constraints of your application

Figure 6. Evolution from remote radio head and antenna to primary and complementary systems.

Complementary+Primary

RRH + Antenna Head

AAS

2. Adoption of New Transmission
Technology in Fronthaul
5G will bring very high capacity. For thatreason, the fronthaul to the base band unit
(BBU), backhaul and transport network
will likely need to be upgraded to support
increasing traffic requirements. We expect tosee greater high-speed optical connectivity
in the overall network, with TE’s high-speed
I/O portfolio, including SFP28, microQSFP,QSFP28, and FullAXS connectors as possible
high-speed and dense connectivity solutions.

DATA AND DEVICES /// MASS CONNECTIVITY IN THE 5G ERA

AAS + Micro Cell MIMO

Small cells will be a key component in the
5G era. They will increase the density of the
network and bring short-range solutions,potentially utilizing both sub-6 GHz andmmWave technology. For sub-6 GHz
deployments, TE has an extensive portfolio ofantennas and products that protect againstelectromagnetic interference (EMI). Deeper
fiber penetration (closer to the small cell
location) may also be required to backhaul
traffic from small cells leveraging our highspeed product portfolio.

PAGE 10

The 5G Engine: Architectures and Connections
3. The Adoption C-RAN
In 5G networks, we expect to see greater utilization of cloud-like concepts applied to both theradio access network and core network. C-RAN (Cloud RAN) will focus on both centralizing
BBUs and the adoption of cloud technologies like virtualization. The centralization phase is
all about mobbing the BBU to a common location that serves multiple towers, which largely
reduces the cost of land, power, cooling and operational expenses. The cloud phase virtualizes
hardware-based BBUs allowing them to run on commercial off-the-shelf servers. BBU pooling aswell as the adoption of cloud technologies – SDN (Software-Defined Network), NFV (Network
Functions Virtualization), network slicing and virtualization—will all still require high-speed,
high-data, high-density, and reliable and rugged connectivity solutions.
TE’s connectivity solutions, which are useful for base station and optical transport, push theboundaries of speed and bandwidth within today’s architectures and address challenging
data rates, signal and power requirements of emerging 5G mobile networks. In addition to
our antenna expertise, our high-speed board-to-board and cabled solutions offer increased
bandwidth for backplanes and mid-planes. We can leverage our expertise in data center andcloud technology to provide high-speed I/O solutions, high-speed cabled solutions, high-speed
board-to-board solutions and power solutions.
Amid the backdrop of debate and unknown ramifications to the industry at large, the mobile
industry is expected to reach numerous milestones leading up to the year 2025, including major
progress in 5G with commercial launches anticipated to take place in the United States in 2018
and in major markets in Asia, North America, and Europe over the next three years11 (Table 2).
The official approval of non-standalone 5G new radio (NSA 5G NR) specifications in December
2017, as well as the commercial debut of 5G at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics bothdefine the desire for a 5G-powered future.
5G took center stage at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 as an exciting and imminent newtechnology. The leading equipment manufactures all announced dozens of innovative products:
Huawei unveiled its first commercial 5G customer premises equipment (CPE), a terminal device
supporting 3GPP 5G standards with a Huawei-developed Balong 5G01 chipset, as part of its
end-to-end 5G solution; Ericsson showcased super low latency of 5G (just 6 milliseconds);
Intel showcased the first 5G-enabled 2-in-1 concept PC; Samsung announced that its complete
commercial fixed-wireless access (FWA) 5G solution has become the first globally to receive
approval by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

11

The Mobile Economy 2018

DATA AND DEVICES /// MASS CONNECTIVITY IN THE 5G ERAPAGE 11

5G is Just Around the Corner
Table 2. 5G operator rollout plans – timing, spectrum, scope
Country

Operator

5G Rollout Status

China

China Mobile

End of 2018: 5G field tests; pre-commercial 2019; commercial service in 2020

China Unicorn

2020: 5G commercial launch but gradual uptake; to co-exist with 4G for a long time

China Telecom

2017-2018: outdoor 5G trial; commercial trial in 2019, scale rollout in 2020 to co-exist
with 4G for a while

Korea

KT

2018: pilot tests in 28 GHz during Winter Olympics; commercial service intended in
3.5 GHz and 28 GHz

Japan

NTT

2018: 5G rollout to commence. Has nationwide FTTH network; no spectrum auction in
Japan – allocated by Govt. for free

Softbank

2017: Trials ongoing in 4 / 4.5 GHz / 28 GHz in Tokyo; commercial launch plannedfor 2020

Verizon2018: FWA trials in 11 cities; commercial 5G FWA deployments in 2018 using mmWave
in 28 GHz, 39 GHz

AT&T

Late-2018: could launch standards-based 5G network

USA

T-Mobile

2019: 5G deployments to commence in 600 MHz aimed at IoT; full nationwide
coverage in 202

SprintLate 2019: 5G launch in late 2019 in 2.5 GHz

EuropeMultiple
Carriers

By 2020: European Regulator pushing for one urban 5G market in each country withrollouts in 3.5 GHz initially. Carriers reserved about 5G plans.

RussiaMTS

2018: Gearing up for 2018 FIFA World Cup and expanding LTE network forincreased capacity. 5G will be rolled out in targeted areas but will not have same
coverage as LTE.

Get Ready Now
Partner with TE Connectivity

As a committed innovator,

5G will achieve faster transmission rates, more
powerful data exchange networks and moreseamless real-time communication which will
boost tremendous growth for advanced andinnovative connectivity solutions.

TE enables our partners to

TE is the go-to, one stop solutions provider
for all of your connectivity needs.

capitalize on opportunities
in the 5G era with our global
footprint, broad productportfolio, and deep-rooted
local engineering expertise.

©2018 TE Connectivity Ltd. family of companies. All Rights Reserved.
FullAXS, TE Connectivity, TE connectivity (logo) and TE are trademarks of the TE Connectivity Ltd. family of companies. Other logos, products, and/or company names might betrademarks of their respective owners.

DATA AND DEVICES /// MASS CONNECTIVITY IN THE 5G ERAPAGE 12