The first 5G spec has been approved
Carriers and manufacturers can now develop 5G hardware.
Carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are pushing for the implementation of 5G by 2019. Yet, despite the flurry of 5G pilot announcements and spectrum purchases, none of them really know what they'll be working with. But, that's about to change, as the 3GPP (the organization that oversees cellular standards) has agreed on the specification for Non-Standalone 5G NR (New Radio) at a meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, reports Fierce Wireless.
Armed with the specs, suppliers and hardware manufacturers will be able to bring real (not faux) 5G to consumers. The completed specs will encompass support for low-frequency (600MHz, 700MHz), mid-range (3.5GHz) and high-frequency (50GHz) spectrum. We should have a better grasp on the precise details for 5G once they're published later this week.
Getting these standards finalized before the end of the year was the mission of carriers, such as AT&T. Facilitating the approval, means that chip-makers can start developing the silicon-based parts that will work with 5G networks. Next up, the 3GPP members will try to pin down the specs for what will eventually be the replacement for 4G LTE: Standalone 5G.
