Drivers for 5G

The first wave of 4th Generation systems is finally being deployed over Europe, providing a vehicle for broadband mobile services at any time and anywhere. However, mobile traffic is still growing and the need for more sophisticated broadband services will further push the limit on current standards to provide an even tighter integration between wireless technologies and higher speeds, requiring a new generation of mobile communications: the so‐called 5G. The evolution towards 5G is considered to be the convergence of Internet services with legacy mobile networking standards, leading to what is commonly referred to as the ‘mobile Internet’ over Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets), with very high connectivity speeds. In addition, green communications seem to play a pivotal role in this evolutionary path with key mobile stakeholders driving momentum towards a greener society through cost‐effective design approaches. In fact, it is becoming increasingly clear from new emerging services and technological trends that energy and cost‐per‐bit reduction, service ubiquity, and high‐speed connectivity are becoming desirable traits for next‐generation networks. In this chapter, we address ongoing research efforts in Europe, the United States and East Asia, and beyond that, propose an overall 5G architecture and set of system requirements. The architecture will then provide the bridge towards the possible set of scientific and technology solutions that will be elaborated in subsequent chapters, each one considered timely and a piece of the 5G jigsaw.