5g history timeline

The development and deployment of 5G technology have been a gradual process that involves various milestones and advancements. Here's a simplified timeline of key events in the history of 5G:

  1. 2012-2013: Initial Concept and Standardization
    • The initial discussions and concepts surrounding 5G technology started to emerge.
    • ITU-R (International Telecommunication Union - Radiocommunication Sector) began laying the groundwork for the standardization process.
  2. 2015: ITU-R IMT-2020 Vision
    • ITU-R officially defined the vision and requirements for 5G in the IMT-2020 (International Mobile Telecommunications) vision.
  3. 2016: Standardization Kickoff
    • Standardization bodies like 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) officially started working on the specifications for 5G networks.
  4. 2018: 3GPP Release 15
    • Release 15 was a significant milestone as it marked the first set of 5G NR (New Radio) standards for non-standalone (NSA) deployment, meaning it could rely on existing 4G infrastructure.
  5. 2019: Commercial Deployments Begin
    • The first commercial 5G networks were deployed in various parts of the world.
    • Initial deployments focused on major urban centers and specific regions.
  6. 2020: 3GPP Release 16
    • Release 16 expanded the 5G standards, introducing features like standalone (SA) architecture, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC).
  7. 2021: Global Expansion
    • 5G networks continued to expand globally, with more countries and regions launching commercial 5G services.
    • Increased adoption of 5G-enabled devices and applications.
  8. 2022: Ongoing Developments
    • 5G deployment continued to progress, with increased coverage and improved network capabilities.
    • Ongoing research and development for advanced 5G use cases, such as industrial applications and smart cities.

It's important to note that the timeline above provides a general overview, and the actual deployment and development may vary by region and specific telecommunications providers.