In a groundbreaking announcement at the 5G Advanced Forum during MWC Shanghai 2023, Huawei revealed its intention to launch a comprehensive suite of commercial 5.5G network equipment by 2024. This bold move signifies Huawei's vision of ushering in the 5.5G era and revolutionizing the ICT industry.
With the rapid deployment of 5G networks worldwide over the past four years, substantial financial gains have been realized. Presently, there are over 260 operational commercial 5G networks serving a staggering 1.2 billion users, with 115 million gigabit F5G users already enjoying lightning-fast speeds. As service models and content continue to evolve, technologies such as glasses-free 3D are creating immersive experiences like never before. However, the demand for even stronger 5G network capabilities to support these new services remains. Recognizing this need, the industry has unanimously agreed that 5.5G will be a pivotal milestone in the evolution of 5G, and it is rapidly approaching.
Huawei has introduced the concept of the "5.5G Era," which encompasses an end-to-end solution integrating advanced technologies such as 5.5G, F5.5G, and Net5.5G. This comprehensive solution not only safeguards operators' previous investments in 5G but also enhances network performance by tenfold. The 5.5G Era promises peak downlink speeds of 10 gigabits and peak uplink speeds of gigabit, catering to the increasingly diverse requirements of modern services. Additionally, it introduces innovative technologies like passive IoT, opening up a market potential of 100 billion IoT connections.
Yang Chaobin, a board member and President of ICT Products & Solutions at Huawei, emphasized, "With a well-defined standardization schedule, the 5.5G Era is already on the brink of technological and commercial verification. In 2024, Huawei will unveil a comprehensive range of commercial 5.5G network equipment, fully prepared for the commercial deployment of 5.5G. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with industry stakeholders to embark on this new journey into the 5.5G era."
As a proponent of end-to-end 5.5G solutions, Huawei has been actively collaborating with industry partners to conduct extensive research and development, as well as verification of key 5.5G technologies. Significant progress has been made in areas such as extremely large antenna arrays (ELAA), enabling 10 gigabit downlink speeds, flexible spectrum access for achieving gigabit uplink speeds, and passive IoT, a transformative technology poised to connect billions of devices. Another pivotal technology, 50G PON, will facilitate 10 gigabit speeds in F5.5G ultra-broadband networks and is expected to find widespread use in homes, campuses, and industrial settings. Huawei has been working closely with over 30 global operators to verify and pilot these groundbreaking technologies.
Moreover, in addition to advancements in wireless and optical access networks, Huawei has been leveraging AI-native technologies to enhance the capabilities and availability of 5.5G core networks. This integration of AI will extend its capabilities to the very edges of networks, allowing it to better serve various industries. Net5.5G, characterized by 10 gigabit access, ultra-broadband transport, and microsecond-level latency over AI networks, lays the foundation for industrial digitalization by delivering high-quality network access.
As the industry embarks on its nascent journey towards envisioning 6G and delving into crucial technological research, the focus has shifted to 5.5G as a vital milestone for future development. The remarkable 10-fold enhancement in network capabilities during the 5.5G Era holds immense potential for unlocking the productivity of digital technology across a myriad of industries.
