B5G Technology White Paper

After years of planning for 5G’s arrival and working through its early phases, we are now firmly in the 5G era. Yet, as is often the case, as one milestone is achieved, the industry begins to ask what comes next.

The simple answer is that 'Beyond 5G' (B5G) technologies will build on the capabilities of today’s 5G networks and services, including those enabled by 5G-Advanced and 6G. The more complete answer is that a combination of technology innovations, business innovations and new use cases will define the shape of mobility over the medium and long term.

Addressing these topics, ZTE has authored a white paper which details many of the technologies and network evolutions that may play a role in those futures. ZTE’s contribution to the discussion – via its in-depth, technical white paper – is an attempt to frame a way of thinking about B5G technologies and provide a menu of technical innovations and advancements that could bring those technologies to life. It highlights questions we need to be thinking about. Which technologies will enable in-demand capabilities and which need to be prioritised? Where will we see connections between disparate parts of the communications industry? How should operators connect themselves into new revenue sources? To this end, the white paper is an important component in planning for what comes next in mobile – what lies beyond today’s 5G networks and services.

To provide context for why 5G-Advanced and 6G are important – and why it is crucial to begin thinking about them now – GSMA Intelligence authored an introduction to ZTE’s white paper, putting B5G technologies in perspective. We attempt to answer why B5G technologies are important, and identify the specific industry trends they will need to address and the key stakeholders responsible for their development. We include that introduction here, on the GSMA Intelligence platform, because 5G-Advanced and 6G have been an integral part of our research agenda and the industry’s focus on them will only intensify in the coming year.

Aside from the introduction, GSMA Intelligence did not contribute to ZTE’s study nor did it conduct any of the analysis it includes. Regardless, we know that messaging and positioning papers from industry leaders such as ZTE are an important part of driving the industry to think about its future and believe you may find it insightful. You can find the full whitepaper (including our introduction) here