5G Advanced, also known as 3GPP Release 18, is the next major evolution of 5G technology. It aims to further enhance the capabilities of existing 5G networks by focusing on three key areas:

1. Performance improvements:

• Increased data rates: Enhanced downlink and uplink speeds, enabling faster downloads, uploads, and improved streaming experiences.
• Lower latency: Reduced communication delays, crucial for real-time applications like gaming, remote surgery, and autonomous vehicles.
• Improved network capacity: Increased ability to handle more devices and data traffic efficiently, especially in densely populated areas.

2. Enhanced management and efficiency:

• Network slicing advancements: More granular control over network resources, allowing operators to create customized network slices for specific applications with tailored performance and security characteristics.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) for network optimization: Utilizing AI to analyze data and automate network management tasks, improving efficiency and resource allocation.
• Improved energy efficiency: Advanced technologies like network sleep modes and power-saving features, leading to a more sustainable network infrastructure.

3. Enabling specific use cases:

• Support for advanced low-cost massive IoT (Internet of Things): Enabling connectivity for a broader range of low-power and low-cost devices, fostering the growth of smart cities, industrial automation, and other IoT applications.
• Enhanced support for non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) and drones: Improved integration and reliability for using satellites and drones for network connectivity in remote areas or disaster situations.
• Advanced features for extended reality (XR): Improved capabilities for virtual and augmented reality applications, such as high-resolution streaming, low latency, and reliable connectivity.

Overall, 5G Advanced represents a significant step forward for mobile network technology, offering greater performance, efficiency, and support for emerging applications across various sectors. The rollout of 5G Advanced is expected to begin in 2024 and gradually expand over the next few years.

While 5G Advanced technology is still under development, several key players are expected to be at the forefront of offering it once commercially available. Here are some prominent names:

Network equipment vendors:

• Ericsson: They actively participate in the 3GPP standardization process and showcase their 5G Advanced solutions at industry events like MWC Barcelona.
• Nokia: They actively contribute to 5G Advanced development and highlight its potential for various applications like XR and industrial automation.
• Huawei: While facing certain geopolitical restrictions, Huawei is still a major player in the telecom equipment space and is expected to offer 5G Advanced solutions in regions where available.
• Samsung: They are actively involved in developing 5G Advanced solutions, showcasing their progress at industry events and collaborating with operators for early deployments.

Mobile network operators (MNOs):

• Vodafone: They announced the commencement of volume Open RAN deployments across parts of their network, paving the way for potential inclusion of 5G Advanced features as the technology matures.
• Deutsche Telekom: They have expressed interest in trialing and deploying 5G Advanced solutions to explore its potential benefits.
• China Unicom: They have announced plans to explore 5G Advanced features for their network, focusing on applications like industrial automation and smart cities.

Chipset manufacturers:

• Qualcomm: They are developing next-generation chipsets compatible with 5G Advanced features, aiming to support higher data rates and lower latency.
• MediaTek: They are also developing chipsets supporting 5G Advanced capabilities, highlighting their potential for various mobile devices.

It’s important to note that the specific companies offering 5G Advanced will likely vary depending on geographical location, operator strategies, and market dynamics.