What Will 5G Be?

TL;DR

5G aims to be a paradigm shift with high frequencies, massive densities, and integration with existing networks, requiring new standards, flexible core networks, and energy-efficient solutions.

Contribution

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of 5G's envisioned features, challenges, and standardization efforts, highlighting its integrative and transformative nature.

Findings

5G will incorporate very high carrier frequencies and massive bandwidths.

It will unify 5G, LTE, and WiFi for seamless coverage.

Core network flexibility and spectrum regulation are critical challenges.

Abstract

What will 5G be? What it will not be is an incremental advance on 4G. The previous four generations of cellular technology have each been a major paradigm shift that has broken backwards compatibility. And indeed, 5G will need to be a paradigm shift that includes very high carrier frequencies with massive bandwidths, extreme base station and device densities and unprecedented numbers of antennas. But unlike the previous four generations, it will also be highly integrative: tying any new 5G air interface and spectrum together with LTE and WiFi to provide universal high-rate coverage and a seamless user experience. To support this, the core network will also have to reach unprecedented levels of flexibility and intelligence, spectrum regulation will need to be rethought and improved, and energy and cost efficiencies will become even more critical considerations. This paper discusses all of these topics, identifying key challenges for future research and preliminary 5G standardization activities, while providing a comprehensive overview of the current literature, and in particular of the papers appearing in this special issue.