Chapter 7 The 5G Vision Previous generations of mobile systems did not have a vision as such. They were aimed at resolving problems with the prior generation and providing faster connectivity. The discussion in earlier chapters has looked at the issues with providing faster and higher capacity solutions, on the assumption that these will lie at the heart of 5G. But unlike previous generations, 5G proponents have set out more of a vision of new services, some of which revolve around speed and capacity and others around particular capabilities. This chapter introduces the various visions for 5G and considers the extent to which they are practical and economic. A Collection of Visions There is no one view on what 5G will offer, but the general expectations are that it will deliver improved user experiences and the potential for new services. To do so, it has been variously suggested that 5G would have to meet one or more of the following criteria: - Connectivity for multiple devices and services with 100 percent geographic coverage.- The ability to combine signals from multiple frequency bands (ultrahigh frequency—UHF—up to millimeter wave bands) more flexibly depending on location, time, and application to enable more stable connectivity. — Low latency to support those services or applications whose requirements cannot be met using existing technologies. — The bringing together of multiple delivery platforms under a single “umbrella.” - Capacity to support provision of ultrafast broadband services. — Technology to support a wide mix of different services that require different solutions. With visions appearing from multiple sources, MNOs came together within the Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) project and summarized their vision for 5G as an: End-to-end ecosystem to enable a fully mobile and connected society which empowers value creation towards customers and partners, through existing and emerging use cases, delivered with consistent experience, and enabled by sustainable business models. (NGMN Alliance 2015) This ill-defined utopia has been reflected in the visions propounded by manufacturers who have suggested Performance expectations for 5G of: A 1,000 times increase in mobile data volumes. — A10 to 100 times increase in connected devices. — A five times lower latency. — A 10 to 100 times increase in peak data rate.