5G is at the starting line: the trial in South Korea will begin in a month. Meanwhile, tenders are being prepared in Italy to allocate frequencies. Assoprovider explains the three prerequisites for making the technology an opportunity for everyone.

The countdown has begun for 5G, the new generation of mobile connectivity. The major event to test it will be the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, which will take place from February 9 to 25 in South Korea.

From 2020 onwards, the technology will enter the market in all countries. In Italy, the first frequencies will be assigned this year, as provided for in Article 89 of the Budget Law.

How to make 5G an opportunity for everyone and not a tool in the hands of a few? Assoprovider reflects on how to develop the new technological standard fairly.

What is 5G

It is the new generation of mobile connectivity. It promises download speeds in the order of 1Gbps and more reliable connections.

5G is a highly anticipated technology. It is especially awaited for its ability to connect various devices and facilitate data exchange in both current and future sectors, such as the Internet of Things.

A global improvement in Network services is also expected: it is estimated that with 5G it will be possible to download an HD movie in a few seconds, improve the quality of video calls, and connect professionals from all over the world more effectively.

5G is still in the testing phase today: technological standards and reference regulations are lacking. Yet everything is moving very quickly, in the USA the technology is expected to reach several cities by the end of this year, while in Europe the start of the first commercial phase is expected in 2020.

5G Network

The transition to 5G will be gradual. It will not immediately replace 4G and 3G: the implementation process will be slow, as was the case with 4G.

The technology will be compatible with the old mobile standards, at least in an initial phase, to then become the new standard: in 2020, according to industry analysts, the smartphones in circulation will already be compatible with 5G.

To bridge the gap, however, it is expected that the establishment of an intermediate standard, 4.5 G, which some countries can already benefit from today, such as South Korea.

The 5G Network in Italy

In the past year, Europe has pushed for EU countries to move in the liberation frequencies allocated to 5G.

In Italy, the first frequencies will be allocated this year, with a starting bid of 2.5 billion. Three lots will be up for auction: 3.6-3.8 gigahertz; 27 gigahertz; 700 megahertz. The first two are already free and can be used immediately, while the third is currently occupied by television broadcasters, who will need to relocate elsewhere by 2022.

While awaiting the call for proposals, the experimentation will start in five cities (Milano, Bari, Matera, Prato, L’Aquila).

In Bari, there is a futuristic project that envisions a connected port where all logistics operations for loading and unloading goods will be managed remotely, precisely thanks to technology.

Assoprovider's 3 points on the development of 5G

5G is the new challenge for the country. However, it will only be useful if it does not place the entire access market in the hands of a few entities and if the frequencies are not the prerogative of the elites. Frequencies are a common good of the territory and should primarily produce benefits for everyone and not be functional only to the interests of a few oligopolists.

This is the official opinion of Assoprovider on technology. We will present our positions to Parliament on February 6.

On that occasion, we will list the three prerequisites to follow to enable 5G to become an opportunity for everyone:

1) The frequency spectrum should not be assigned only to a restricted group of entities united by business models that do not ensure the digitalization of the entire country.

2) It is necessary to promote the development of SMEs not only as users of 5G, but also as active participants in the production of 5G access.

3) It is necessary to implement policies that do not create artificial economies of scale so that, as in any ecosystem, both small and large players can coexist with different business models capable of serving all the various population densities of our territory. This balance should not be disrupted by misguided policies.