ROI3 Joins ITU Focus Group to Identify Network Standardization Requirements for 5G Development

I am pleased to announce that ROI3, Inc. has joined ITU's new focus group to identify the network standardization requirements for the "5G" development of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) for 2020 and beyond. On May 5, 2015, Geneva, Switzerland-based ITU announced it "has established a new Focus Group to The network studies will be hosted by ITU's Standardization Sector (ITU-T), benefiting from the strength of ITU-T standardization in wireline communications." Led by ​Peter Ashwood-Smith of Huawei Technologies, FG IMT-2020 will hold its first meeting in San Diego, Calif. from June 8-9, 2015, with subsequent meetings in Geneva, Switzerland from July 13-14, 2015, Milan, Italy in September 2015, and Beijing, China in October 2015.

In 2012, according to ITU's press release, the organization "established a programme on International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) for 2020 and beyond, which provides the framework for IMT-2020 research and development worldwide. ITU's Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) is coordinating the international standardization of IMT-2020 systems. ITU-T is expected to play a similar convening role for the technologies and architectures of wireline networks."

Furthermore, this ITU website explains that "'IMT-2020' systems will enable wireless communication to match the speed and reliability achieved by fibre-optic infrastructure. The potential application fields of IMT-2020 systems, in addition to voice and video, span from healthcare to industrial automation, virtual reality, automated driving, and robotic systems controlled with an imperceptible time-lag. One-millisecond end-to-end latency is necessary for technical systems to replicate natural human interaction with our environment, a goal that experts say should be within reach of future networks."

It is believed that 5G will become available in 2020. While a standardized definition does not exist for 5G, large corporations and small businesses in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector must begin to consider how to create opportunities through the next generation of mobile network. It is my intent to have ROI3 be part of the 5G standardization efforts and learn what mobile products and software solutions can be created for the global marketplace. Specific sectors that may benefit from 5G include the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, virtual reality (VR), and 3D content accessible through a mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet, or smart watch.

The ITU notes: "IMT-2020 research and development is underway in a wide range of industry and public-sector bodies. The Focus Group's scope of activity is concentrated in identifying the standardization needs of the wireline elements of 5G networks, building on an analysis of other entities' IMT-2020 studies."

What possibilities do you envision using 5G technology?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.