5G-A Intelligent Core: Enhanced Connectivity, Beyond Connectivity

Envision a world where connectivity is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental necessity driving every industry and individual forward. Where different purpose-specific networks are no longer siloed, but meshed together to create a seamless and deterministic experience. Welcome to the 5G-A era, where the boundaries of connectivity are being stretched to their absolute limits. With enhanced uplink and downlink speeds, reduced latencies, precise positioning, and deterministic network capabilities, 5G-A Intelligent Core is rewriting the rules of connections. Beyond that, 5G-A Intelligent Core is also converging communications, computing, and storage to unlock new scenarios in the low-altitude economic realm.

Get ready to experience a future where connectivity is limitless, and the possibilities are endless.

Enabling a new era of connectivity

Higher bandwidth, Deeper industry integration, meshed networks, and more Connections unlock numerous B2B opportunities

Higher bandwidth: The rise of new services like cloud gaming, glasses-free 3D, smart glasses, MR, and VR has created a surge in demand for immersive experiences that are only possible with ultra-large bandwidth. To meet this growing need, related technology is rapidly evolving. On the terminal side, major breakthroughs have accelerated the development of the terminals capable of 3 Component Carrier (3CC) aggregation, with an estimated 40 million units expected to ship by the end of 2024. Additionally, 3CC technology at the base station side has matured, boosting air interface throughput by 10 times and enabling downlink speeds of up to 5 Gbit/s to 10 Gbit/s. Yet the core network used to rely on single-vCPU processing for each service flow, with each vCPU operating at a maximum speed of 2 Gbit/s. As such, the core network is upgraded to support multi-vCPU aggregation to ensure a smooth experience for bandwidth-hungry services from end to end.

Deeper industry integration: The advent of 5G-A also imposes a profound influence on industries, extending "5G+Industrial Internet" from peripheral production assistance to production sites. This has the potential to revolutionize smart manufacturing through wireless networks in more scenarios. By upgrading the existing 30,000-plus private industry networks, 5G-A can enable not only production assistance but also the core production phase, creating greater value for industries. In the industry market, operators can leverage 5G-A to provide network-wide SLA assurance and a range of value-added services, including high-reliability network design, edge intelligence, and high-precision positioning. For example, in the high-speed railway sector, 5G-A enabled precise positioning capabilities can be used in conjunction with applications like 5G video-based automatic inspection and AI-powered train detection to implement smart O&M of the entire train line. This integration can significantly improve operational efficiency and safety, while also enhancing the overall passenger experience.

Meshed networks: The current landscape of networks is characterized by siloed, purpose-specific networks. As a result, users are forced to take complex detours through the Internet or public cloud in order to switch between different networks, often leading to frustrating experiences due to limited bandwidth and severe latency. For instance, a user attempting to remotely access their home appliances must first pass through the mobile network, then the Internet, and finally the public cloud, traversing multiple hops before reaching the destination. However, with the introduction of UPF mesh networking in the 5G-A era, this paradigm is shifting. By leveraging the enhanced connectivity and networking capabilities of the 5G-A Intelligent Core, users can now access home network services with a single hop, enjoying seamless and high-bandwidth connections. As the boundaries of connectivity continue to expand, we're entering a new era of cross-area connections, where vehicles, homes, campuses, and more are being linked in a fully meshed, MEC-based network topology.

Expanding into the low-altitude economy

5G-A Integrates communications, computing, and storage to unlock new possibilities

The low-altitude economy is a vast and rapidly growing market, spanning a wide range of applications including logistics distribution, tourism, urban management, agricultural and forestry protection, emergency rescue, and more. According to recent estimates, the market size of China's low-altitude economy has already exceeded 500 billion Chinese yuan (approx. US$70.5 billion) in 2023, and is projected to reach CNY2 trillion by 2030. The China Low-Altitude Economy Development Report, released by the China Center for Information Industry Development (CCID) Consulting, highlights the sector's immense three-tier trillion Chinese yuan development potential, encompassing low-altitude aircraft manufacturing, general airport construction, and low-altitude new infrastructure.

At the heart of this growth lies the need for a robust low-altitude infrastructure, especially a low-altitude Internet of intelligence capable of supporting real-time communications and management of low-altitude aircraft. This critical infrastructure will be essential for unlocking the full potential of the low-altitude economy, in turn driving innovation and efficiency across the sector.

China has been advocating for the development of the low-altitude economy through a series of national policies and regulations. In 2021, the government incorporated the low-altitude economy into the National Comprehensive Three-dimensional Transportation Network Planning Outline, setting the stage for coordinated development across the sector. Building on this momentum, China has also introduced the Interim Regulation on the Administration of the Flight of Unmanned Aircraft, which came into effect on January 1, 2024.

Furthermore, in March 2024, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Ministry of Finance (MOF), and Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) jointly issued the Implementation Plan for Innovation and Application of General Aviation Equipment (2024-2030), with the goal of driving innovation and growth in the low-altitude economy over the next six years.

The development of the low-altitude economy also relies heavily on the underlying technological infrastructure, of which 5G-A networks will form an integral part. With large bandwidth, low latency, and extensive connectivity capabilities, 5G-A networks are well suited to support the real-time control and data transmission requirements of drones during flight. In this way, they can enable a wide range of applications, from logistics and inspection to geographical surveying and mapping, aerial photography, and live streaming. By enabling rapid and stable transmission of flight data, images, and video content, 5G-A networks can help unlock the full potential of the low-altitude economy, while also ensuring the safe and efficient operation of drones in these applications.

One of the key innovations of 5G-A is the introduction of Harmonized Communication and Sensing (HCS) capabilities into mobile networks. These capabilities allow networks to operate like advanced radars that are able to detect, track, and sense. As a critical component of the low-altitude infrastructure, the 5G-A network is not just a communication service provider, but also a sensing and monitoring system that can perform critical functions such as positioning, ranging, and speed measurement for drones. This enables real-time monitoring and management of low-altitude aircraft, providing a critical layer of safety and efficiency to the operations of these vehicles.



China's leading operators are pushing the boundaries of innovation through collaborations with industry partners to explore new low-altitude economic scenarios and applications. At the forefront of this effort, China Mobile has deployed 5G-A HCS-powered base stations to support a range of low-altitude economic services, including drone-based logistics distribution, takeaway delivery, and flight performance. The operator has already implemented low-altitude applications in a number of industries across multiple provinces and cities, with notable examples including drone-based seafood transportation in Zhoushan, a low-altitude HCS-based smart airport in Baoshan, and drone-based blood transportation in Shijiazhuang. Meanwhile, China Mobile is working with other industry partners to develop real-time sensing and data transmission capabilities for drones in Shanghai, unlocking revolutionary applications in agricultural monitoring, environmental protection inspection, and low-altitude police and aviation. This pioneering work has established a low-altitude economy development benchmark in Shanghai, showcasing the potential for transformative changes in the region.

The integration of 5G-A with HCS is revolutionizing the way drones operate, enabling advanced capabilities such as real-time tracking and positioning, precise distance measurement, and high-fidelity imaging identification. This is delivering significant benefits, including a 30% improvement in flight efficiency and a 50% reduction in delivery time for low-altitude logistics. At the same time, operators are transitioning from traditional SIM/USIM card and traffic package offerings to more premium experience assurance services and value-added services, such as perception, integration, as well as data management and analysis of drone flight trajectories. This shift has the potential to transform the logistics industry, enabling faster, more efficient, and more reliable delivery of goods and services.

Unlocking new growth for operators

5G-A Intelligent Core network empowers innovation and expansion

The transition from the 5G core network to the 5G-A core network represents a significant milestone in the evolution of the communications industry, marking a major step towards the development of intelligent, efficient, and personalized services. As 5G-A continues to mature and expand into new scenarios, we can expect to see a communications network that is increasingly intelligent, reliable, and efficient - one that delivers unprecedented experiences to users and unlocks new business models and growth opportunities for operators. With its advanced capabilities and innovative applications, 5G-A is poised to revolutionize the way we communicate, and we can expect to see a brighter, more connected future for all.

Learn more about Huawei's 5G solutions.

Disclaimer: Any views and/or opinions expressed in this post by individual authors or contributors are their personal views and/or opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of Huawei Technologies.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.