5G technology offers a significant leap over 4G, unlocking low-latency, high-upload and high-download speeds in today’s connected era. But as we rely more on connectivity for new and immersive experiences for applications like Extended Reality (XR), connected cars and even generative AI applications, 5G Advanced will push the boundaries of what is possible.

5G Advanced Release 18 is nearing completion with finalization expected in June 2024, whereas Release 19 is estimated to be completed in the second half of 2025. From massive network capacity to ultra-low latency and speeds, 5G Advanced enhances network performance, reduces energy consumption, which is good for sustainability, and brings new use cases like non-terrestrial network (NTN) integration.

In the latest episode of The Counterpoint Podcast, host Gareth Owen is joined by Danny Tseng, Technical Director of Marketing at Qualcomm, to discuss 5G Advanced and current and future advancements in the 5G technology. The discussion focuses on how 5G Advanced will play a crucial role in network performance and energy efficiency, while also integrating new applications like IoT and AI. The conversation also briefly touches upon 6G and beyond.

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You can read the podcast transcript here.

Podcast chapter markers

00:58 - Gareth kickstarts the discussion by asking Danny about the status of Release 18 and Release 19.

03:03 - Danny talks about new capabilities and performance improvements of 5G Advanced that will benefit the operators.

04:53 - Danny on new energy-saving features that will be introduced in Release 18 and Release 19.

07:06 - Danny highlights the opportunities for both operators and the satellite industry.

11:22 - AI in air interface is a hot topic. Gareth asks Danny to give the latest information on Qualcomm’s tests on various AI-based air interface use cases.

17:47 - Danny wraps up thoughts on Release 20, followed by Release 21, which is when work on 6G is expected to start.

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