Hybrid Format to Ensure Connection

Network interruption is common in places with limited coverage; where moving a single step to a certain direction can change the network connection quality drastically. Previously, network interruption was common because mobile connectivity coverage was limited; mostly due to insufficient infrastructure or if the user is in a particularly difficult area such as an underground parking lot. With 5G, this issue might be even more common due to its low range and low penetration power which will make proper access infrastructure an even more important consideration for providers and users.

This edition of the COMPUTEX special report is the second of a 3-part series based on the COMPUTEX 2022 Symposium - Towards the Beyond 5G Era: Innovative Communications Services & Applications in the Industry. This article will discuss the methods providers and organizational users can adopt to ensure a smooth 5G connection.

One Cautious Step at a Time

Upgrading to 5G will require extensive upgrades on connection infrastructure as a great portion of the existing infrastructure is not adequate for handling the load expected from 5G connections. Commercial 5G is relatively new and has been available only since 2019, so while provider rollouts and user adoption are increasing, it might not have the same coverage as 4G or even 3G currently have. On the other hand, providers are phasing out 3G in favor of 5G and soon 4G might also meet the same fate. As stable 5G connection is not yet guaranteed, phasing out legacy connections too soon will not be beneficial for anyone.

Telecom providers at the moment adopt the 5G Non-Standalone format (5G NSA) where 5G and legacy networks coexist. This will allow users with previous-gen devices to connect to the mobile network without any need to upgrade their devices or face connectivity problems. For users with 5G ready devices, it will allow them to downgrade their connections to 4G or 3G if necessary; ensuring constant connection. However, as the end goal is still 5G Standalone (5G SA), the legacy phase out is a matter of when, not if.

To achieve 5G SA or simply to increase the 5G adoption rate, providers will also have to invest greatly in infrastructure installations and deployments. However, it will also raise questions of whether the additional base stations and access points will end up polluting the cityscape and whether it will serve the purpose of providing connectivity to more people. This precarious balance will need to be achieved if 5G is to become the main connection. Thankfully there are more options for 5G forms than there were for previous networks and this may serve providers in the long run as they too upgrade their infrastructure.

Diversifying Access Points

In addition to the conventional base station option, 5G has the option of employing other access points such as 5G small cells which can be installed onto existing structures such as streetlights, building exteriors, traffic lights, etc. The combination proposed by Pegatron is the 5G Smart Pole, an amalgamation of various functions vital to a smart city application including: street lights, air quality sensors, display billboards, and other smart devices in addition to the 5G small cell. This streamlined and multipurpose solution will be able to provide coverage for outdoors users without taking up too much space or resources to build and deploy.

To provide connectivity for more people, LEO satellite + 5G might be the most viable option. An article from 2021 published by The Guardian puts approximately 37% of the global population (2.9 billion people) have never used the internet. 96% of them are from developing countries where internet connection is unaffordable for the general public and infrastructure is lacking if not completely non-existent. In addition, internet connections in other places are not free from interruption and most territories cannot guarantee 100% coverage. Locations such as tall mountains and high seas will generally have limited, if any connections. Building conventional infrastructure such as base stations will not be feasible; either due to economic or geographic limitations. However, LEO satellites might be able to bypass this limitation to provide fast connectivity at a reasonable cost to the users and providers.

Watch the full forum video in the COMPUTEX V Youtube Channel.

The speakers featured in the forum were: Mr. Wei-Gan Su, Industry Analyst of MIC; Mr. Chung-Yung Chia, Vice President of Chunghwa Telecom; Mr. Allen Yang, International Strategy Center Analyst of ITRI; and Mr. Steve Huang PhD, Senior VP of PEGATRON.

About COMPUTEX 2022 Symposium

COMPUTEX is one of the key B2B exhibitions for global ICT procurement. To help manufacturers expand to the international market and overcome time zones and geographical distance constraints, TCA will hold the COMPUTEX Symposium in both online and offline formats. The topics in the forum will include multiple topics such as digital security, smart technology, 5G/B5G, Metaverse, etc., featuring industry leaders and relevant speakers to discuss the latest trends and innovations.

Connect with COMPUTEX 2022 All Year Round

COMPUTEX TAIPEI will return in 2022 with a hybrid physical & digital format to make sure exhibitors can have a broader reach both in Taiwan and globally. To help companies connect with buyers, partners, and vendors; COMPUTEX CYBERWORLD 2022 holds a monthly matchmaking session on the third Thursday of every month. The matchmaking sessions are held privately and the registration period will be announced in the COMPUTEX Facebook page and newsletter.

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