1. What is 5G?
5G (Fifth Generation) began commercial deployment in 2019. It delivers: download speeds up to 20 Gbps, latency under 1 ms, and massive device density (1 million devices/km²).
5G targets three use cases: eMBB (enhanced Mobile Broadband), URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency), and mMTC (massive Machine-Type Communications).
2. 5G Core (5GC) Architecture
5GC uses a Service-Based Architecture (SBA) — all network functions communicate via REST APIs over HTTP/2.
- AMF (Access and Mobility Function) – Registration, connection, mobility
- SMF (Session Management Function) – IP address allocation, QoS
- UPF (User Plane Function) – Data forwarding, packet inspection
- UDM (Unified Data Management) – Subscriber data (replaces HSS)
- AUSF (Authentication Server Function) – 5G-AKA authentication
- PCF (Policy Control Function) – Policy and charging rules
3. 5G Use Cases
| Use Case | Category | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 4K/8K video streaming | eMBB | AR/VR headsets |
| Remote surgery | URLLC | <1 ms latency |
| Smart city sensors | mMTC | 1M devices/km² |
| Autonomous vehicles | URLLC | V2X communication |
| Private 5G networks | eMBB | Factories, ports |
4. 5G vs 4G
| Aspect | 4G (LTE-A) | 5G (NR) |
|---|---|---|
| Peak speed | 1 Gbps | 20 Gbps |
| Latency | ~10 ms | <1 ms |
| Frequency | Sub-6 GHz | Sub-6 GHz + mmWave |
| Architecture | EPC | 5GC (SBA) |
| Network slicing | No | Yes |