5G-Advanced is changing what 5G can actually do

Image: Illustration / Digiopedia

5G-Advanced is moving 5G beyond the familiar promise of faster downloads. The next stage of cellular technology is designed to make mobile networks more intelligent, efficient and capable, while opening the door to new applications involving AI, positioning, connected devices and satellite connectivity.

Rather than replacing 5G, 5G-Advanced builds on it. 3GPP Release 18 introduced the first major set of 5G-Advanced specifications, with later releases continuing to expand the technology.

More than speed

The first wave of 5G focused heavily on higher speeds, greater capacity and lower latency. 5G-Advanced expands that focus to how networks operate and respond to changing conditions.

Improvements to radio technologies, including MIMO, are designed to make more efficient use of available network resources. The technology also places greater emphasis on uplink performance, which is becoming increasingly important as phones, cameras and other connected devices send more data to the network.

For applications such as live video, cloud services and extended-reality experiences, a stronger uplink can be just as important as faster downloads.

AI becomes part of the network

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are another major part of 5G-Advanced.

The standards support AI/ML techniques within the radio access network, creating opportunities for networks to optimize resources, improve performance and respond more intelligently to changing conditions.

For users, much of this could happen behind the scenes. Instead of being a visible feature on a smartphone, AI could help the network decide how resources should be allocated or identify ways to improve performance.

More precise positioning

5G-Advanced also expands the role of cellular networks beyond simply connecting devices.

Improved positioning capabilities can allow networks to determine device locations more accurately. This could be useful for applications ranging from logistics and transportation to industrial systems and location-aware services.

The technology also includes developments around time-sensitive communications, helping 5G support applications where reliable timing and predictable network behavior are important.

Bringing satellites into the picture

Satellite connectivity is another important part of the broader 5G-Advanced evolution.

3GPP has continued developing non-terrestrial network (NTN) capabilities, allowing satellite systems to work more closely with 5G networks. The goal is to extend connectivity to areas where conventional terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable or difficult to deploy.

This does not mean satellites will replace cellular towers. Instead, terrestrial and satellite networks can increasingly complement one another.

What it means for phones

For smartphone users, 5G-Advanced may not feel like a completely different network overnight.

Compatible phones and networks can benefit from improvements in speed, latency, uplink performance, reliability and efficiency. But the experience will depend on the operator, spectrum, network deployment and device hardware.

That is because 5G-Advanced is not a single feature. Operators can introduce different capabilities at different times, and smartphones need compatible hardware and software to use them.

5G-Advanced is already being deployed

The technology has moved beyond the standards process and into commercial networks. Operators are introducing individual 5G-Advanced capabilities while device makers develop hardware capable of supporting them.

There will therefore not be one universal moment when every 5G connection suddenly becomes 5G-Advanced. Adoption will happen progressively as networks and compatible devices become available.

The broader direction, however, is clear: 5G is evolving from a network primarily associated with faster mobile broadband into a more flexible platform for communications, connected devices and intelligent services.

5G-Advanced is ultimately less about replacing 5G than expanding what it can do. Its impact will increasingly be measured not only by peak download speeds, but by how intelligently, reliably and efficiently networks can connect people and machines.