Where to start learning about 5G and network architecture?

This was originally a thread on Twitter. Many found it useful so here’s an article form.

The tweet that started it all.

I entered the telecoms industry in end 2017 and no sooner did I realize that the topic of 5G was taking the communications world by storm. Thus the big question I had in 2018. I knew nothing about 5G. I spoke with as many colleagues as I could but it was tough getting an understanding, especially in simple terms. I share my journey in hopes that it could help a fellow non-technical human trying to understand a new world.

Where or how did I start? In a nutshell:

1. Keep reading daily news on 5G. It’s ok if you don’t understand. Set Google Alert
2. Basics of how do telephones work?
3. What’s with the “G”?

The 3GPP’s 5G logo. Wiki page here.

Some 5G and radio access network learning sources that helped me:

• @5Gtraining /@3g4gUK
• @MoorInsStrat’s Forbes articles by Anshel Sag & @WillTownTech
• @Light_Reading’s 5G Man videos on YouTube
• @ccgroup Tech Talk by Alan Burkitt-Gray on the history of telecoms on YouTube

I started with high level geek outs:

1. What’s a site, what’s in it, what do they do?
2. What’s needed to bring 5G to you & me?
3. What does 5G bring? what’s the talk?

For #2, Diana Adams and Ericsson’s Mats Arvedson helped explain in ‘English’ in this article.

5G for Consumers: Behind the Scenes of Bringing 5G to You and Me

Got the “basics”? Look into the ‘educational’-style materials that simplify the other terms & tech to do with 5G.

• @EricssonNetwork’s Voice of 5G podcast by @janinahed & @PaulCowlng makes it a point to ask “wait, what’s xxx?”
• @Qualcomm’s What is 5G page does a FAQ style

Hope this helps! Share your tips in the thread or comments :)