As we step into 2025, discussions surrounding the future of mobile telecommunications and 6G continue to gain momentum. However, we still find ourselves managing multiple generations of technology: 2G (GSM & GPRS), 3G (UMTS), 4G (LTE), and 5G (NR). By now, 5G has surpassed 2G in total subscriptions, and as we move forward, 5G and 4G together are expected to dominate, making up over 80% of total global subscriptions by 2026.. As illustrated in Figure 1, global mobile subscriptions are anticipated to reach 8.7 billion by the end of this year (2025) according to Ericsson[1]
Unsurprisingly, 2G and 3G subscriptions have continued their decline as mobile service providers sunset these legacy networks in favour of 5G. While 5G is seen as the dominant technology of the 2020s, 4G remains a crucial component of mobile networks, with 5G subscriptions still anticipated to overtake LTE subscriptions around 2027. However, with 5G Advanced already in deployment and release 19 on the horizon, the evolution of mobile networks is unrelenting.
5G, like its predecessors, evolves through incremental updates encapsulated in the 3GPP technical specifications. The first commercial 5G deployments were based on Release 15, with subsequent enhancements delivered in Releases 16 and 17. Today, Release 18—marketed as 5G Advanced—has begun early commercial deployments, showcasing significant advancements in performance, efficiency, and new network capabilities. With the Release 18 specifications having been frozen in late 2024, network operators are now integrating these features into their infrastructures, with broader rollouts expected throughout 2025 and 2026. Meanwhile, active work on Release 19 is well underway, promising further refinements to 5G functionality and laying the groundwork for the eventual transition towards 6G.
In a previous blog post, we discussed some of the Release 18 enhancements associated with the RAN (Radio Access Network) so we shall take this opportunity to highlight some new features of Release 18 (5G Advanced). For more information about new releases, in addition to all previous 3GPP Releases, it is worth visiting https://www.3gpp.org/specifications/releases.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Model Transfer
This work item specifies various performance requirements such as end-to-end latency, experienced data rate, communication service availability and service requirements including AI/ML QoS management, AI/ML model distribution / transfer, network performance and resource utilization. Therefore, the 5G network will be able to further enhance the utilization of AI (Artificial Intelligence) / ML (Machine Learning) operations for commercial use including image / speech recognition, media editing / enhancements, robotics and automotive.
Timing Resilience
The 5G timing resiliency system introduces the capability of holdover and frequency stability capabilities enabling the 5GS (5G System) to receive information from the RAN (Radio Access Network) such as GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) reports to be able to determine the status of the network and influence consistent timing resiliency. This will provide a consistent and fault tolerant solution which can be used by all parts of the network but also provide an alternative timing source for the many verticals utilizing 5G.
Personal IoT and Residential Networks
A PIN (Personal IoT Network) consists of numerous “elements” including wearables, smart home or smart office equipment that can communicate with each other through a PIN Direct Connection (Sidelink) or direct network connection. Residential networks provide local connectivity to enable devices to access 5G network services through a PRAS (Premises Radio Access Station) which acts as a gateway and provides in home 5G coverage.
Ranging Services
This work item sets the functional and performance requirements to support ranging services (applications which utilize angle / direction between devices) within a smart home / smart city environment. This will include the establishment of various KPIs including distance/angle accuracy, latency, confidence level, availability and ranging interval.
Vehicle Mounted Relays
As the name would suggest, this work item involves the support of vehicle mounted base stations which are able to provide coverage / communication to devices both inside and outside of the vehicle. These “base stations” will act as a relay between the end device and the gNBs forming the NG-RAN (Next Generation – Radio Access Network) architecture.
Tactile and Multi-modality Communications
This work item focuses on potential new use cases and service requirements that can support the anticipated growth in tactile and multi-modality communications. These are likely to include immersive VR (Virtual Reality), remote control robotics, haptic feedback. live event selective immersion and support for the IEEE P1918.1 architecture including virtual factory, healthcare, and transportation.
Data Integrity
Data integrity adds the capability to verify the integrity of the user information passing across the 5G network to fulfil the specific demands of supply chain finance and insurance. These sectors have strict requirements for services that employ IoT device communication.
So, the future of 5G and 5G Advanced is looking good with a roadmap of network enhancements and new features planned well into the decade. What’s more, Release 19 and 20 is likely to add further capability before 6G appears on the horizon. In Part 2 of this blog, we shall turn our attention to 6G (sometimes referred to as IMT 2030) and in so doing, we shall discuss the technological requirements, potential use cases and technology enablers that will be required.
Stay tuned for Part 2…
This blog was updated on 24th March 2025 by Kevin Moore.