There’s been a lot of talk about how 5G is going to change everything, from how we use our phones to how entire industries operate. But before diving into what 5G might bring, it’s worth looking back at how networks have evolved over the years and the disruptions we’ve already seen in mobile communications. This article takes a closer look at the key changes in network technology and what they mean for the future of 5G. So, now let us see How Network Shifts Toward 5G along with Accurate LTE RF drive test tools in telecom & RF drive test software in telecom and Accurate 5g tester, 5G test equipment, 5g network tester tools in detail.

From Voice to Data: The Big Shift

One of the most significant changes in mobile networks was the move from voice communication to data. This shift started during the late stages of 2G technology and became fully realized with 4G. Initially, user data moved from traditional circuit-switched channels to more efficient packet-switched channels. Over time, older technologies like SDM (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) and ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) were replaced by IP (Internet Protocol) transport. Even the way we signaled calls moved from #7 signaling to SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), with voice handling moving behind the scenes in the network.

As these changes took place, voice calls turned into just another application running over the IP network, making the system more data-focused. This evolution shows that networks tend to adapt to the main type of traffic they handle. Looking forward, an interesting question arises: Should networks always adjust to the dominant traffic type, or should they be flexible enough to optimize for different types of traffic as needed? This is where the idea of network slicing comes in, but it often misses the bigger picture of how different channels are handled.

The Impact of Roaming

Today, roaming is common, but in the early days, it was a major innovation. Allowing users to connect to other networks while traveling, and letting those networks apply their own policies, was a risky move that paid off. It helped drive the success of GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications).

What’s interesting is that the basic principles of roaming haven’t changed much over the years. The same mechanisms that were introduced decades ago are still in use today. However, with the emergence of network slicing, there’s now a discussion about making more fundamental changes, like allowing different policies or even injecting external functions into a visited network. The growing interest in private networks might also lead to a broader conversation about more dynamic roaming principles.

The Role of Smart Cards and Security

When SIM cards (Subscriber Identification Modules) were first introduced in GSM systems, they were a game-changer. Even after 30 years, SIM cards remain a reliable security measure, even in a world full of hacking and cyber threats. SIM cards have been crucial for operators in maintaining control over mobile devices.

However, despite their early success, SIM cards didn’t break into other areas like banking or e-payments as much as they could have. Today, device and OS providers have taken the lead in turning smartphones into payment devices. The same goes for SIM application toolkits, which tried to introduce apps on SIM cards but never really took off. For example, there was even a fully functional web server available on SIM cards at one point.

In recent years, we’ve seen the introduction of eSIMs, which allow subscriber profiles to be reprogrammed without needing to swap out the physical SIM card.  While it offers greater flexibility, it also means operators might lose some control over customer relationships. Interestingly, eSIMs are still physical SIMs, not purely software-based, which might change in the future. It’s possible that the shift to fully virtual SIMs has already started quietly.

5G and Virtualization: The Next Frontier

5G brings with it the potential for further disruptions, especially in the area of virtualization.The idea of offering a global cloud network with software as a service is just beginning to take off. Even with the advances in 5G virtualization and network slicing, there’s still a long way to go before we achieve a fully automated slicing service that doesn’t require physical intervention.

What’s Next for Telecom Networks?

Over the past 30 years, we’ve seen only a handful of truly disruptive changes in telecommunications. The introduction of 2G brought with it some fundamentally new concepts, like roaming and smart cards. But the generations that followed were mostly incremental improvements, albeit highly complex ones, especially in the Radio Access Network (RAN) part of the system. The only other significant disruption was the shift from circuit-switched to packet-switched networks, along with the rise of smartphones and app stores—developments driven largely by players outside of the traditional telecom ecosystem, like smartphone manufacturers.

It seems that the telecom industry is currently lacking a bold vision for fundamentally new networks, even though there’s a clear demand for innovation from society. Moving forward, it might be worth focusing on areas such as:

Universal Coverage: How can we ensure connectivity everywhere, even if it’s at moderate data rates, and gradually expand to gigabit speeds where possible?

Green Networks: How can we build networks that have a smaller carbon footprint and are more environmentally friendly?

Critical Infrastructure: How can we protect these networks from attacks and misuse, given that our economic well-being increasingly depends on their reliable functioning?

The Role of Politics in Shaping Networks

The issues mentioned above might require more than just business-driven solutions—they could need a political push from governments and regulators. Just as GSM benefited from strong political support in its early days, which helped it become a global mobile network standard, there may be a need for a similar level of political involvement today.

Back in the late 1980s, there was clear customer demand and political willingness to support the development of networks and communication technologies. This led to the success of GSM, and for a long time, the countries and companies involved in its development dominated the mobile communications market. The financial success of GSM eventually caught the attention of U.S. companies, leading to the creation of 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) and the global standardization of GSM.

Today, we’re seeing a renewed political interest in networks, especially concerning the creation of a global cloud to compete with hyperscalers and protect network infrastructure. This involves keeping data within telecom networks and treating the entire system as mission-critical infrastructure. The next challenge will be how to align these political interests with a new vision for 5G networks. Also read similar articles from here.