INDUSTRY news
New technical recommendations will support network evolution towards 5.5G and 6G for Wi-Fi7 and 400GE
networks that can ensure high bandwidth and low latency, while being managed by intelligent end-to-end digital maps.” Supporting further industry digitalisation and key AI applications, Net5.5G will also provide an excellent customer experience for services requiring high-speed, high- quality communication, underpinning new trends such as Wi-Fi 7 and computing- aware networks. “Every service provider, government body, regulator, and vendor should collaborate to tap into the value of Net5.5G-enabled cloud-network convergence,” said co- author Sameer Malik, Senior Principal Analyst, Service Provider Routing and Switching Networks at Omdia. “By driving the evolution of future services and technologies, we can then open up the opportunity to discuss the idea of Net6G and overcome the demands of the future.” The ‘Network Evolution for the 5.5G and 6G Era’ Technical Recommendations, published for the first time during BDC Shanghai 2024, can be found on the WBBA’s website.
support the increasing requirements from homes, business enterprises and mobile sites, and these will be driven by emerging applications.” Net5.5G marks the evolution of existing 5G mobile network technologies, offering downlink speeds of 10Gbps, and uplink speeds of 1Gbps. End users will be able to use it to set up their own IoT networks within their residential properties, with smartphones and other connected devices able to be used as gateways. For telecoms companies, Net5.5G holds the key to enhanced monitoring and analytic capabilities, while service providers are empowered to offer managed services for the smart home. Net5.5G also offers benefits to data centre operators, as the additional bandwidth can help support larger AI training models for business uses. “From now through 2030 and beyond, remote-sensing technologies, remote AI applications and supercomputing will be the main drivers for ubiquitous 10Gbps ultra-broadband deployments,” said co- author ZhongHua Chen, Senior Engineer and Project Manager at China Telecom, and WBBA Working Group Chair. “To support these scenarios, we need
The World Broadband Association (WBBA) has published Technical Recommendations for networking evolution in the 5.5G era to address the increasing demands for ubiquitous 10 Gigabits-per-second (Gbps) access for businesses, campuses and homes. Network 5.5G (Net5.5G) defines the next- generation data communication network infrastructure for network evolution in the era of 5.5G and Artificial Intelligence (AI) computing. Building a future-proof digital IP transport foundation to deliver secure operations, reduced construction costs, and improved efficiency for networks, constitutes a Net5.5G framework. “Developments in AI computing applications and the metaverse have raised expectations of service agility and immersive experience assurance in business and consumer markets, and the networks currently in use are struggling to cope,” said co-author Tayeb Ben Meriem, Vice Chair of IPv6 Forum, and WBBA Working Group Co-Chair. “IP transport networks must now be upgraded to
www.worldbroadbandassociation.com
Migration to full fibre essential for truly sustainable networks, WBBA tells the telecom industry
minimising the environmental impact associated with fixed broadband connectivity. It’s also a key component of a broader goal of achieving carbon neutrality and addressing environmental concerns.” Alongside copper switch-off, the industry must ensure network migration through simplified network architecture and new Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions, as well as creating energy-efficient
broadband technologies and says that by decommissioning legacy copper and coaxial infrastructure, operators can achieve significant energy consumption improvements. “Improving energy efficiency is a core element of most modern environmental sustainability policies,” said co-author Alzbeta Fellenbaum, Principal Analyst, 5G and Broadband, Pricing and Strategy at Omdia. “It’s a strategy capable of
Five key areas in the telecom sector, including migration from legacy copper networks, need addressing if optimal energy efficiency in fixed networks is to be achieved, according to a new report from the World Broadband Association (WBBA), who have certainly been busy. The report, which was launched for the first time at BDC Shanghai, notes that fibre optic networks are the most energy-efficient of existing
28
Volume 46 No.3 September 2024
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker