(Viet Nguyen, President, 5G Americas – June 2025)
For years, mobile networks have been engineered like digital highways: wide, fast, and optimized for heavy traffic. Their primary job was to move data efficiently from one point to another, using fixed rules and predefined paths. But as demand for wireless infrastructure grow more complex, this model is reaching its limits. The rise of extended reality, industrial automation, and ambient IoT requires something more adaptive, intelligent, and responsive.
Enter 5G-Advanced. Rather than expanding the highway, it transforms the network into a smart transit system – one that uses real-time data, AI-assisted control, and modular services to move information with precision. It is not just about faster speeds or more spectrum. It is about networks that can perceive, decide, and adapt, all while optimizing energy use and extending coverage. As we enter this next phase of mobile evolution, 5G-Advanced represents a critical shift: from infrastructure that carries data, to infrastructure that actively manages and orchestrates it.
In our latest white paper, “5G-Advanced Overview”, we note that what makes 5G-Advanced notable is not just that it adds features, but that it signals a more fundamental shift in how networks operate and evolve. It represents the first standardized step toward networks that are autonomous, contextual, and adaptable at their core. Because it spans Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Releases 18 through 20, 5G-Advanced captures a critical period where industry priorities such as sustainability, intelligence, and coverage are converging.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a supplemental capability. It is becoming the primary method for how networks manage complexity. At the radio access layer, AI-assisted beamforming and link adaptation outperform rule-based heuristics. For instance, in modern 5G-Advanced networks, tasks like steering signal beams and adjusting transmission settings are increasingly handled by AI. These AI-driven methods are proving more effective than traditional rule-based approaches because they can adapt dynamically and make smarter decisions based on real-time conditions. Additionally, at the network level, machine learning enables fault prediction, traffic forecasting, and intent-based orchestration. In some operator trials, AI-powered network operations have reduced fault detection time by 90 percent and cut false alarms by 70 percent.
This shift is about more than optimization. It changes how mobile systems are architected. Rather than manually configuring the network based on average-case assumptions, operators can now rely on models that adapt in real time to user behavior, device density, and application requirements. These capabilities also lay the foundation for 6G, where AI-native architectures will be designed from the beginning rather than added after deployment.
Another defining pillar of 5G-Advanced is energy efficiency. Radio access networks (RAN) account for up to 90 percent of a mobile network’s power usage, and traditional methods for reducing consumption such as hardware scaling are no longer sufficient. New mechanisms in Release 18 and beyond include cell sleep modes, dynamic antenna reconfiguration, and discontinuous transmission patterns. These techniques not only lower power draw during idle times but also adapt in real time based on traffic load, user mobility, and Quality of Service (QoS) constraints. Under the right conditions, savings can reach up to 56 percent.
Device-level innovations are equally important. 5G-Advanced introduces architectures that support low-power radios and ambient IoT, extending 5G access to ultra-low-cost, energy-harvesting devices. This is not simply a technical evolution. It redefines who and what can be connected. Billions of passive tags, industrial sensors, and wearables can now participate in the cellular ecosystem without batteries or manual maintenance. As a result, the definition of “connected” expands far beyond smartphones and base stations.
From a performance standpoint, latency and reliability are also undergoing substantial refinement. Features like Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable throughput (L4S) address queuing delays, enabling near-zero latency for time-sensitive applications such as extended reality (XR) and industrial automation. For instance, in a smart factory setting, an operator may control a robotic arm remotely using a VR headset and haptic gloves, performing delicate assembly tasks that demand instant feedback and precise coordination. Traditional networks, even with high throughput, can experience queuing delays during periods of congestion, causing small but disruptive lags in responsiveness. Features like Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable throughput (L4S) are designed to address exactly this challenge.
By signaling congestion early—before packet queues build up—L4S allows the network to maintain near-zero latency while adapting in real time to varying traffic conditions. The result is a consistent, ultra-responsive connection where control inputs and video feedback remain tightly synchronized. This ensures that extended reality (XR) interfaces and industrial automation systems operate smoothly, even under network load, unlocking new possibilities for remote operation and precision manufacturing.
Meanwhile, spectral efficiency is increasing through advances in massive Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO), uplink stream expansion, and multi-TRP (Transmission and Reception Point) support. On the downlink, 5G-Advanced introduces configurations supporting up to 128 CSI-RS (Channel State Information Reference Signal) ports for better beam targeting. Uplink enhancements now allow devices to transmit across as many as eight streams. This is especially important for fixed wireless access, uplink-heavy applications, and edge computing scenarios.
The geographic reach of mobile networks is also expanding. With the integration of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), 5G-Advanced supports direct-to-device satellite connectivity using low-Earth orbit constellations and high-altitude platforms. These systems offer speeds of up to 20 Mbps on handhelds and over 100 Mbps with Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs). This transforms coverage strategies for remote regions, emergency services, and critical infrastructure.
Beyond the technology, the strategic implications of 5G-Advanced are becoming clear. Private 5G networks, enhanced with 5G-Advanced capabilities, are now being deployed across industries to deliver tailored performance, enhanced control, and real-time responsiveness. These networks are particularly well suited for applications that demand high throughput, precise positioning, or localized compute such as smart factories, logistics hubs, and enterprise campuses.
Equally important are the regulatory and policy dimensions. AI-native operations, dynamic spectrum sharing, and cross-border NTN services all require updated governance frameworks. Regulations will need to address topics ranging from zero-trust security to lawful API access, and from AI model transparency to spectrum harmonization. The rise of Ambient IoT will also necessitate new identifiers, traffic prioritization rules, and sustainable spectrum policies.
Taken together, these developments are not simply incremental steps toward a more efficient network. They represent a new operational paradigm. One where networks interpret their environment, allocate resources based on intent, and operate with minimal human oversight. This evolution does not wait for 6G. It begins with 5G-Advanced.
This is why 5G-Advanced matters. It marks the transition from static, capacity-focused networks to dynamic, intent-driven systems. Just as smart transit systems respond in real time to congestion, passenger flow, and environmental conditions, 5G-Advanced networks optimize based on application demands, user behavior, and spectrum availability. They do more than carry bits – they manage the experience.
The strategic opportunity lies in using this intelligent infrastructure today, not just preparing for 6G tomorrow. By adopting AI-native frameworks, expanding coverage through non-terrestrial networks, and supporting massive-scale IoT with energy-efficient design, operators are building networks that resemble smart cities more than pipelines. The goal is not simply faster wireless. It is a more responsive, resilient, and sustainable way to move digital experiences – wherever and however they’re needed.
Because the future of mobile is not just about speed. It is about intelligence. And 5G-Advanced is where that future begins to take shape.
-Viet
