5G and IoT
In our overview of 5G, we described the unique features of the 5G network architecture that can enable new enterprise IoT solutions. In this section, we will look at the 5G technology roadmap and coexistence with LTE in support of new IoT solutions.
Given that 5G is a fairly new technology and the new 5G modules/devices are required to support 4 X 4 MIMO, high bandwidths (high peak data rates), and LTE Advanced (Cat 17+), the cost of these modules/devices is currently around five times higher than standard LTE (Cat 1+) devices/modules. As with any new technology, the cost will decrease over the next few years. Since Qualcomm is the primary chipset supplier for 5G IoT modules and devices, its feature release schedule is a primary driver for the 5G IoT market. The high cost of 5G hardware is a big hurdle for new 5G enterprise IoT solutions where the features of standard LTE and even LTE low-power wide area (LPWA) (LTE-M or NB-IoT) are sufficient. The primary concern in...