First global 5G system standard released

The first global 5G system standard has been released, according to a press release by Chinese telecom giant Huawei.

It not only provides an idea of what a 5G network will look like, but also gives companies the tools to begin building a framework for the new system.

China’s Huawei worked alongside the world’s other major telecom operators, chipset vendors and internet companies for 34 months to come up with a set of global 5G specifications.

Finally, the 3GPP TSG #80 Plenary Meeting, held in the US recently, “approved the completion of the standalone (SA) Release 15 5G specifications,” said the official statement.

“Now, the whole industry is taking the final sprint towards 5G commercialization,” it continued.

The global 5G standard is a huge boost for the development of China’s 5G and information industries, but also marks the beginning of a fight to gain the highest global market share.

China is hoping to lead the era of commercial 5G. According to a report released by professional services firm Ernst & Young on June 20, the country’s total investment in 5G mobile networks will reach 1.5 trillion yuan ($223 billion) between 2019 and 2025. If this proves to be the case, it will represent the country’s largest-ever expenditure in the field of telecommunications development.

Moreover, it is estimated that there will be more than 576 million 5G users based in China by 2025, representing 40 percent of the total worldwide number.

Based on predictions by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, major parts of the 5G industry, such as manufacturing, supply and distribution, will reach their pre-commercial stage by the end of 2018. The construction of a 5G network will start in 2019, with commercial operation expected the following year.

5G refers to the fifth generation of improved wireless systems and network technology.