a more distributed topology that extends to the converged mobile core, with storage and
computing being spread all the way to the wireless edge.
Second, quite unsurprisingly, we need massive scale in the number of devices within
the IoT that we want to connect. 5G will play an instrumental role in ensuring universal
connectivity for myriad devices of very different characteristics. Indeed, prior system
designs have not delivered the required IoT capabilities – an opportunity which 5G may
want to capitalize on.
Third, rather excitingly, mobile technologies must attend to criticality, articulated in
terms of much quicker round-trip times and higher system reliability. This will underpin
the emerging Tactile Internet, manufacturing and industrial process control, utilities,
intelligent transportation systems and all the fascinating derivative applications that
these areas will engender. Some dramatic changes to system design, however, are
needed to make this reality. Notably, ultra-low end-to-end delays are not possible unless
we witness a major overhaul of the wireless air interface and system architecture.
As with media delivery, designers will have to bring computation and storage closer to
the end user.
All these approaches will undergo rigorous standardization activities that will com-
mence leading up to and beyond an agreed agenda item for IMT-2020 during the WRC-
19 meetings. This will ensure global harmonization in the form of common frequency
bands, common global standards and a common framework for requirements, capability
and performance. Various 5G initiatives have absorbed diverse ideas on what 5G may be
and have shaped a common conceptual understanding of 5G. Although 3GPP has been
and will continue capturing the requirements of the machine-type communications,
differences in requirements for various market segments of the IoT remain and will
have to be dealt with in future standards.
We don’t completely know every use that 5G will be put to, but we are not worried
about this. As one CEO observed recently: “We started developing 3G before the
Internet was really operational and we started with 4G before the iPhone came
around”
1
. It is hence a perfect time to commence with 5G.
Now, will that 5G be something we have not witnessed to date? You will find out in
this fascinating book written by some of the most prominent experts in mobile system
design, people who always live 10 years into the future.
We hope you enjoy the read, as much as we did!
Prof. Mischa Dohler
Head, Centre for Telecom Research
Chair Professor, King’s College London
Fellow and Distinguished Lecturer, IEEE
Board of Directors, Worldsensing
Editor-in-Chief, ETT and IoT
London, UK
Takehiro Nakamura
VP and Managing Director
5G Laboratory
NTT DOCOMO INC. R&D Center
Yokosuka, Japan
1
Statement by Hans Vestberg, CEO of Ericsson, 2015.
xviii Foreword
Downloaded from Cambridge Books Online by IP 216.165.126.13 on Wed Jun 08 14:12:53 BST 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781316417744.001
Cambridge Books Online © Cambridge University Press, 2016