5G Evolution: What's Next?

Abstract

5G networks and devices are being rolled out at an unprecedented speed in all corners of the globe. These rollouts are all based on 3GPP's Release 15 standard that includes the first version of 5G NR specifications and was released in June/2019. 3GPP has since been actively working to expand the functionalities of 5G, and this paper presents the 5G evolution path brought by 3GPP release 16, 17, and beyond toward the full 5G vision.