Will 5G replace WiFi ?? | WiFi (WiFi 6 WiFi 7) vs 5G (FWA) | 5G Use cases for NSA (Example - 5G + WiFi)

==> Will 5G replace WiFi solutions ??

In recent days, we are seeing multiple technologies evolving around the globe and this has put a question mark on many of the ongoing Technologies, Devices used, and Enterprise solutions. One of the most asked questions was - Will 5G replace WiFi solutions? The Answer to it is a BIG NO !!! (In many terms, however in some cases it might be...)

In Reality, 5G and Wi-Fi - are going hand in hand to provide public and private network or use cases...

So, let us understand everything in a bit of detail...

==> By the end of the Blog / Article you will be able to Understand / Learn about:-

1.???What is WiFi & What solutions does WiFi provide ??

2.???WiFi Evolution?

3.???What is 5G NSA & its Basic Summary / Limitation?

4.???When we say 5G – WiFi device what does it mean to be? What is FWA?

5.???WiFi (WiFi 6 / WiFi 7) vs 5G (FWA)? High-Level Comparison

6.???5G Use case for Home / Building / Enterprise Connectivity using 5G & WiFi 6 / WiFi ?

(1) ==> What is WiFi & What solutions does WiFi provide ??

In simplest terms --> Wi-Fi technology is used to provide local network & Internet access to devices that are within Wi-Fi range. This range/coverage can be increased by deploying an extender as per the needs. So we can have access to the network as large as many square kilometers (miles) - if required.

Coverage in the larger area may require a group of Access points (APs) / Extenders with overlapping coverage. Example as explained below (Image)

From the above image (very traditional connectivity of FTTH), we can say that Wi-Fi acts as a Private Network and Provides services in Homes, Businesses / Offices, as well as in Public Spaces (airports, railways / Metro & Bus stations, etc.). WiFi is used in many ways and can be set up either free-of-charge or commercially.

(2) ==> WiFi Evolution ??

Starting from the year 1997, its been 25 years of using WiFi as a service to access the network and internet.

Its been a long and tough journey to evolve from just 2 Mbps to 10 Gbps i.e from basic WiFi 0 (802.11) to WiFi 6 (802.11ax) -- 10X Times increase in Throughput / Link Rate

Single Pane View of Wifi Evolution

** BW = Bandwidth | As per the above table if 160 represents Max BW which can be opted, however, we can configure the BW as per the need.

> WiFi 6 (802.11ax) & above will be 5G supporting WiFi Routers & Standards. It supports Link Rate upto 10 Gbps and use OFDMA as there modulation Techq.

> UL MU-MIMO & TWT (Target wake time used for Power saving..) as their key functionality which helps to get higher throughtput to end user.

==> Key Takeaway / Benifts of WiFi 6 ??

????Provides more compatibility, Wireless capacity, and reliability as compared to previous versions (e.g. WiFi 5)

????Customized Resource units (RUs) allocation is possible ==> which means it divides the bandwidth according to the needs of the clients and provides multiple individuals with the same user experience at faster speeds.

Key Specifications:

????Freq Range => 2.4, 5 GHz (dual-band technology)

????Bandwidth (BW) => 20, 40, 80, 160 MHz

????FFT Sizes => 256, 512, 1024, 2048

????Subcarrier Spacing => 78.125 kHz

????Symbol Duration => 12.8 μs + 0.8/1.6/3.2 μs

????Highest Modulation => 1024 QAM

????Modulation (Supports) => QAM & OFDMA

????Max Data Rate => 10Gbps (160 MHz, 8 SS)

????Remarks => Schedule-based resource allocation is possible. (which will be key in coming years)

With such advanced capabilities, the user experience will be mesmerizing & it will open doors for many use cases/applications.

(3) ==> Launch of 5G NSA, What is 5G NSA & its Basic Summary / Limitation ??

Specifically for #India, We saw a grand opening of #5G at #IMC2022. Let's have a look what was the key difference between

(a) 5G Standalone (True 5G with 5G Core) - #Jio has stated that they are aiming to provide True 5G by end of the year 2023

(b) 5G Non-standalone (5G with 4G Core) - #airtel & #vodafoneidea have stated that they are aiming to provide 5G service before 2024 and slowly trend towards True 5G.

Short Understanding of NSA / Need for NSA -

Currently, all the mobile telecom operators are looking to deliver better data throughput quickly, or to handle urgent LTE congestion. Hence, for such basic requirements, NSA mode makes the most sense because it allows them to leverage their existing network assets rather than deploying a completely new end-to-end 5G network (True 5G) which will add them to provide more use cases and additional revenue.

NSA allows an operator to launch 5G quickly for eMBB to gain thought and market leadership.?Operators can leverage their existing LTE/VoLTE footprint to utilize their LTE installed base and increase capacity.

"Network Slicing, URLLC and mMTC won’t be supported for NSA, but Improved broadband speeds will enable services such as ultra HD 4K-8K video streaming, augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) and an immersive media experience to end customers".

So, In a way NSA based network deployment is a WIN-WIN situation for Telecom Operators and also for End Users.

(4) ==> When we say 5G – WiFi device what does it mean to be? and What is FWA?

As per 3GPP, (indirectly) there was an addition of a new word called "Fixed wireless access (FWA)". The 5G Network Architecture in 3GPP Release-16 allows Fixed and Wireless networks to be converged. This also allows many new opportunities to connect to customers along with new revenue opportunities.

Fixed wireless access (FWA) is the process of providing wireless broadband using radio links between two fixed points. In other words, fixed wireless is an alternate method of providing wireless internet access to homes or businesses while eliminating the need for physical connections (Phone Lines, Cable, or Fiber - FTTX).

Make a Note: There are many types of FWA devices available in the market -

(Option 1 - FWA (Antenna) + WiFi 6 (Network Extender) ) ==> Below is a very simple representation of how FWA (Antenna) deployed at the customer/home location and Wifi 6 (Acts as network extender) are working together.

If you see the above image - you can clearly see the difference, before 5G - We had purely wired connections i.e. FTTH or FTTx (Fiber to the Home / Any) based deployments to get high speeds & throughputs. Whereas, after 5G NSA comes into the picture we can provide high speeds and throughputs to end customers via wireless connectivity too...

The wireless option is quite cheap as for wired (FTTX) we had high deployment costs & very low feasibility at times.

(Option 2 FWA (Antenna + Inbuilt WiFi) + WiFi 6 (Network Extender)) ==> Below is a very simple representation of how FWA (Antenna + In-built WiFi) deployed at the customer/home location and Wifi 6 (Acts as network extender) are working together.

If you see the above image - you can clearly see the difference, we will have a 5G FWA device/antenna / CPE placed in LOS with a 5G Wireless Radio Site. In this case, 5G FWA has inbuilt WiFi which is used to connect devices outside of the house (e.g. garden area) and inside of the house WiFi - 6 is used as an extender to access high-speed broadband connectivity.

High-Level Connectivity Diagram (Assuming that we will have NSA deployment, however during 5G SA - 4G UE's and 4G elements would be eliminated and 5G UE's will be directly connected to gNB's)

" For Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) or Massive Machine Type Communication (M2M) or Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) or Simply for High Speed and low latency - we can deploy 5G User Plane Function (UPF) within a highly automated Multi-access Edge Compute (MEC) cloud environment (with dynamic scaling and autonomous network slicing) can truly meet the prerequisites of a Fixed Wireless Access infrastructure."

(5) ==> WiFi (WiFi 6) vs 5G (FWA) ? High-Level Comparison

As I mentioned above, rather than looking at 5G, WiFI 6, and FWA as each other's competitors, we must start looking at them as each other's advocates.

(A) High-Level Comparison

(B) Deployment Examples were WiFi 6 and 5G FWA will be used.

As IEEE and 3GPP stated that "WiFi 6 will be a handy option for providing high-speed internet within any premises (e.g. Malls / Hospitals / Halls / Stadiums / Hotels etc.) and 5G or 5G FWA will be a handy option for providing high-speed internet outside premises but for specific locality (e.g. Park / Street / Roads / Residential Common areas like Garden/Gym & Open spaces etc.)

"Wifi 6 == Indoor Scenarios within premises (e.g. Malls / Hospitals / Halls / Stadiums / Hotels etc.)

&&&

5G or 5G FWA (WAN) == Outdoor Scearios outside premises but for specific locality (e.g. Park / Street / Roads / Residential Common areas like Garden/Gym & Open spaces etc.)"

5G + WiFi 6 will be one of the best option for public and private networks in the near future, as these two technologies complement each other in many scenarios...

(6)?==> 5G Use case for Home / Building / Enterprise Connectivity using 5G & WiFi 6 / WiFi ?

WiFi 6 and 5G each have their respective most applicable scenarios where neither can replace the other. Therefore, selecting the most appropriate technology according to the scenario requirements helps enterprises to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and accelerate their digital transformation.

High-Level Connectivity for IT Tech Park Office Scenario

A Classical Example in which we are using 5G FWA for Outdoor Users (For example - Office campus location) & Indoor Users (Consider the top floor in the below diagram)

&&

WiFi 6 + Switch as an Extender for Other floors where 5G FWA wifi range is not available.

A similar type of connectivity will be done for all Offices / Halls / Malls / Hospitals / Colleges and etc locations.

Make a note - We need to install an FWA-related Antenna / Infrastructure on 5G Telecom Cell Tower Site (Additional Antenna / Access Unit), which will be operating at a specific frequency so as to avoid interference. (Example below from one of our clients)

Stay tuned for all upcoming posts, In my next post, I will try to explore more 5G use cases/applications which are developed / under deployment across the globe.. Keep yourself updated with my post.... refer to the link --> https://lnkd.in/dZRtnZsr && Subscribe / Follow me... !!

I hope you had a good time reading it & the information was helpful. Please comment, Follow me for more updates... Share with colleagues ....Feel free to Add.. Comment.. Suggest..

PARTH CHOLERA

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