The necessity of impartial evaluation is key to realization of swift 5G technology's destiny
The standardization of 5G technology is progressing steadily, with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) having developed multiple release versions from Release 15 (early 2017) to current and future releases (up to Release 20 and beyond), focusing on enhancing 5G capabilities under the banner of 5G-Advanced [1][3]. As of mid-2025, 341 operators across 127 countries offer 5G services, though not all have transitioned to full Standalone (SA) 5G [1].
Key standardization features critical to emerging technologies include Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC), which supports up to one million IoT devices per square kilometer, and Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (uRLLC), offering data delivery latencies as low as 1 millisecond [1]. Ongoing efforts in 3GPP Releases 18 to 20 emphasize AI-native networks, energy efficiency, and enhanced support for IoT [3][4].
Impact on Development and Deployment
The advent of 5G is set to have a profound impact on various sectors. Driverless cars, for instance, rely heavily on uRLLC for real-time data and communications to make safe, split-second decisions. Low latency and reliable 5G can enable vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication for accident avoidance and autonomous navigation [2].
Smart cities demand a massive number of connected sensors and devices, supported by mMTC capabilities of 5G, which allow for scalable IoT solutions such as smart street lighting, traffic management, energy grids, and surveillance [2].
IoT ecosystems benefit from enhanced speed, low latency, and network slicing enabled by standardized 5G, which permits customized connectivity profiles for diverse devices. IoT SIM technologies tied with 5G are enabling scalable, secure, and remotely managed connectivity [2].
Challenges in Deployment
Despite the promising potential, deployment challenges remain. Device compatibility issues, as not all existing IoT devices are 5G ready, require costly upgrades or replacements [2]. Regulatory differences globally affect roaming and deployment, and security concerns given the expanded attack surface, as well as cost considerations for data management on 5G networks [2][3].
Future Outlook
The 5G-Advanced standardization and deployments are gaining momentum, led by operators in Asia, Australia, and selected regions, with networks now incorporating AI-native features and better energy efficiency aligned with sustainability goals [3][4]. Regulatory bodies are being urged to harmonize IoT standards and spectrum policies to facilitate global scaled deployment of 5G across industries [3].
Britain aims to lead the global 5G push, positioning itself as a leader in the development and implementation of 5G technology. The need for an unbiased source to provide reliable information about the development and progress of 5G networks and service levels has been highlighted [5]. Regular, rigorous, and objective testing is essential to ensure the continuous evolution of 5G and its applications.
In summary, 5G standardization is maturing and enabling revolutionary applications in driverless cars, smart cities, and IoT by combining high device density, ultra-low latency, and reliability. While deployment challenges remain, ongoing enhancements through 5G-Advanced and global policy coordination are accelerating innovative use cases and broader adoption worldwide [1][2][3][4].
[1] 5G standardization and evolution
[2] 5G in the UK
[3] 5G-Advanced Public Private Partnership
[4] 5G: A Vision for the Future
[5] Call for a neutral and independent institute for 5G testing and monitoring
- The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into 5G networks, as part of the ongoing efforts in 3GPP Releases 18 to 20, highlights the relationship between data-and-cloud-computing technology and 5G, as it enables the development of AI-native networks for more efficient and sustainable 5G networks.
- The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems significantly benefits from standardized 5G, particularly its enhancement of speed, low latency, and network slicing capabilities, which technology, in turn, enhances the performance of IoT devices connected in smart cities, smart homes, and autonomous vehicles.
