5G-Advanced: Benefits, Technologies and Future Opportunities

The Evolution from 5G to 5G-Advanced

The momentum behind 5G continued to grow rapidly across global markets. With 5G already launched in more than 70 countries by nearly 200 operators, the technology covered around half of global markets and almost one-third of the world's population. According to GSMA Intelligence, this growth trajectory was expected to continue, with around 2 billion 5G connections forecast by 2025.

Compared with previous generations of mobile technology, 5G achieved significantly faster early adoption. This rapid development created growing demand for enhanced network capabilities to support new consumer, enterprise and industrial applications. These included the use of multiple sub-3 GHz spectrum bands, 5G mmWave, private networks and the continued evolution toward 5G-Advanced.

5G-Advanced and 3GPP Release 18

As part of 3GPP Release 18, 5G-Advanced represented an important next stage in the evolution of 5G technology. It was designed to introduce new wireless innovations while strengthening the foundation of existing 5G networks.

Key areas of development included higher network performance, wider coverage, improved mobility and greater power efficiency. 5G-Advanced was also expected to extend connectivity to a broader range of devices and applications, creating new opportunities in areas such as industrial automation, smart mobility, extended reality (XR), private networks and other connected services.

These improvements could help mobile operators and enterprises build more efficient and flexible wireless networks while supporting the growing requirements of next-generation mobile broadband and IoT applications.

Improved Performance, Efficiency and Connectivity

5G-Advanced was expected to advance wireless technology in several major areas, including performance improvements, better network management, greater efficiency and enhanced support for specific use cases.

One important development was improved connectivity for applications requiring strong uplink performance and reliable communication at high speeds, including users and devices moving on trains and aircraft. 5G-Advanced could also provide stronger support for immersive and interactive applications used in entertainment, training, education and enterprise environments.

At the same time, the technology was designed to support low-cost and low-power connected devices, including industrial wireless sensors, smart wearables and other IoT devices. Enhanced network slicing, time-sensitive networking and more precise network-based positioning were also important areas of development.

Industrial IoT, Private Networks and New Applications

The evolution of 5G-Advanced could create further opportunities for industrial IoT and private 5G networks. Manufacturing, transportation, smart infrastructure and other industries increasingly require reliable wireless connectivity for connected equipment, sensors, terminals and automated systems.

5G-Advanced was also expected to improve support for non-terrestrial networks, including satellite-based connectivity working together with terrestrial mobile networks. Artificial intelligence and machine learning could further contribute to network configuration, operation and optimization, helping improve efficiency and network performance.

Future developments could also support integrated sensing and communication, ambient IoT, tactile communication, intelligent service robots and other emerging applications.

Supporting the Future of 5G Wireless Connectivity

5G-Advanced represented an important step between existing 5G networks and the longer-term evolution toward 6G. Its improvements in performance, efficiency, mobility, IoT connectivity and network management could expand the possibilities of wireless communication across consumer, enterprise and industrial markets.

For the wireless device industry, the continued evolution of 5G also creates new requirements for devices such as 5G CPE, 5G routers, FWA devices and outdoor CPE, which connect end users and equipment to mobile broadband networks.

As a manufacturer of 4G and 5G mobile broadband devices, Honlly continues to follow the development of mobile network technologies and market requirements, supporting global customers with wireless connectivity products for a wide range of deployment scenarios.