Introduction to 5G-A
5G-A, short for 5G-Advanced or also known as 5.5G, represents a critical stage in the evolution from 5G to 6G. Compared to 5G, it offers higher speeds, increased connectivity, and lower latency. By incorporating technologies like integrated sensing, integrated computing and intelligence, as well as integrating the sky, space, and ground, 5G-A expands the boundaries of 5G capabilities, rejuvenating the digital lifestyle.
On the afternoon of March 28, China Mobile unveiled the first batch of 100 cities with commercial 5G-A networks in Hangzhou, announcing plans to expand to over 300 cities nationwide by the end of the year.
As early as April 2021, the international standard organization 3GPP defined the R18 protocol version as “5G-Advanced” or 5.5G, marking a crucial stage in the evolution from 5G to 6G. Xulinzhong, a 5G technology expert from Zhejiang Mobile’s Planning Technology Department, stated, “The upgrade from 5G to 5.5G is not just about faster speeds but also includes lower latency, higher reliability, and broader coverage range.” Industry experts indicate that 5.5G can provide speeds of up to 10Gbps, ushering communication into the era of gigabit speeds.
The applications of 5G-A have already begun to infiltrate various aspects of production and daily life. At the 2024 Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, participants experienced firsthand the technology’s application. With the new 5.5G network deployed this year, users experienced download speeds three times faster than before, reaching peak speeds of up to 4742Mbps, with theoretical speeds going as high as 10Gbps (10240Mbps), achieving a download rate of 1.25G per second.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China has established the world’s largest and most technologically advanced 5G network. By the end of 2023, the number of 5G base stations in China exceeded 3.377 million, with the number of gigabit broadband users doubling compared to the same period last year. 5.5G is an upgrade standing on the shoulders of giants, leveraging the existing network infrastructure to greatly facilitate its deployment and widespread adoption.
Of note is the application of “passive IoT.” Referred to as “passive IoT,” it encompasses IoT capabilities that do not require electricity. In the past, in order to build an efficient and smooth circulation system and reduce logistics costs, Zhejiang Express chose to implement a system where deliverymen in different-colored uniforms enter the factory to quickly distribute orders, attach labels, load vehicles, and cooperate seamlessly with factory personnel, forming a cohesive unit. With 5.5G technology, only a thin passive IoT tag is needed, communicating with outdoor base stations at distances of up to 200 meters. This enables real-time visibility of both the information of goods and their exact location, with an identification accuracy of up to 99%.
China Mobile’s 5G-A industry applications have been deeply integrated into various regions to serve production and daily life. In Zhejiang, the integration of 5G-A and integrated sensing is used for patrolling and law enforcement in the Qiantang River, ensuring safe navigation of ships in challenging conditions like nighttime, heavy fog, rain, and snow through applications such as multi-target boat trajectory sensing, real-time alerts for no-go zones, and ship sensing in low visibility environments. In Guangdong, China Mobile partnered with Fengyi to provide precise identification of drone positions, speeds, and trajectories based on integrated sensing, enabling new low-altitude logistics services in scenarios like express delivery and medical supply distribution, boosting efficiency. In Jiangsu, 5G-A’s passive IoT empowers stores of the M7 brand with intelligent positioning, exhibition planning, interest analysis, and smart operations, setting a new benchmark in digital retail management for apparel. In Hubei, China Mobile offers a 5G deterministic network industry solution to Midea factories, significantly enhancing end-to-end 5G network service capabilities, facilitating seamless collaboration between robots and AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), effectively reducing operating costs and improving production efficiency.
The first batch of 100 cities with commercial 5G-A networks include:
- Beijing
- Shanghai
- Tianjin
- Chongqing
- Guangzhou
- Shenzhen
- Hangzhou
- Suzhou
- Dongguan
- Chengdu
And many more…
Sources: Xinhua News Agency, Chaoxinews