WBBA Sets Sights on 5.5G and 6G Evolution for Wi-Fi7 and 400GE

Network 5.5G (Net5.5G) is paving the way for the next-generation data communication network infrastructure, ushering in a new era of 5.5G and AI computing. This innovative framework aims to build a future-proof digital IP transport foundation that promises secure operations, reduced construction costs, and improved efficiency for networks.

According to Tayeb Ben Meriem, Vice Chair of IPv6 Forum and WBBA Working Group Co-Chair, the rise of AI computing applications and the metaverse has heightened expectations for service agility and immersive experience assurance in both business and consumer markets. Existing networks are struggling to keep up with these demands, necessitating upgrades to support emerging applications.

Net5.5G represents the evolution of current 5G mobile network technologies, boasting impressive downlink speeds of 10 Gbps and uplink speeds of 1 Gbps. End users will have the capability to establish IoT networks within their homes, utilizing smartphones and other connected devices as gateways.

Telecommunications operators stand to benefit significantly from Net5.5G, as it offers enhanced monitoring and analytic capabilities. Service providers can leverage this technology to provide managed services for smart homes, while data center operators can take advantage of the additional bandwidth to support larger AI training models.

Looking ahead to the future, ZhongHua Chen, Senior Engineer and Project Manager at China Telecom, and WBBA Working Group Chair, predicts that remote-sensing technologies, remote AI applications, and supercomputing will be the primary drivers for ubiquitous 10 Gbps ultra-broadband deployments through 2030 and beyond. Networks must be capable of delivering high bandwidth and low latency, managed by intelligent end-to-end digital maps to support these scenarios.

Net5.5G is not only poised to support industry digitalization and key AI applications but also promises an exceptional customer experience for services requiring high-speed, high-quality communication. This technology underpins emerging trends like Wi-Fi 7 and computing-aware networks, setting the stage for a transformative shift in connectivity.

As Sameer Malik, Senior Principal Analyst at Omdia, emphasizes, collaboration among service providers, government bodies, regulators, and vendors is crucial to unlocking the full potential of Net5.5G-enabled cloud-network convergence. By driving the evolution of future services and technologies, stakeholders can begin to explore the possibilities of Net6G and prepare for the demands of tomorrow.

The 'Network Evolution for the 5.5G and 6G Era' Technical Recommendations, unveiled for the first time during BDC Shanghai 2024, can be accessed at worldbroadbandassociation.com.