The roll out of 5G services in 2019 focused on delivering faster speeds with a reliance on 4G infrastructure somewhat. The release of 5G Standalone (SA) networks, in 2020, operates independently of existing 4G infrastructure and uses a dedicated 5G core network. These steps reflect how far 5G has come, as a technology, but the question, does 5G use more battery power, shows how businesses deploying IoT solutions are considering all of their options.
Although 5G is widely regarded for its ability to deliver fast speeds, lower latencies and higher bandwidth than previous technologies, one concern has emerged; the impact of 5G on battery life. Factors such as network infrastructure, base station density and signal strength all play a role in its impact.
Base stations
One major factor which affects battery life of devices operating on 5G is the proximity to base stations. 5G-enabled devices continuously communicate with these stations, which provide the signal required to make calls, send data and access the Internet. The energy this device will use depends on the distance; the further away the device, the greater the energy consumption, the greater the drain on battery life.
In 5G networks especially, this issue is more pronounced because it uses a wider range of frequencies including higher frequency millimetre wave (mmWave) bands. These higher frequency signals provide faster data rates but have shorter ranges and can be more susceptible to obstacles like buildings and trees. This calls for a denser network of base stations to ensure coverage, and in areas with fewer base stations devices must expend more energy when searching for and maintaining a connection.
Additionally, when a device moves between areas of strong 5G signals and those with weaker coverage, it often switches between 4G and 5G networks. This transitioning between networks, a “handover”, is a big source of power consumption. Devices are constantly on the lookout for the strongest available network and when signal strength is insufficient, they may attempt to connect repeatedly, which drains battery life.
Signal strength
Signal strength is another key factor for battery consumption related to 5G. When a device is connected to a strong 5G signal, it can transmit and receive data more efficiently, consuming less power in the process. Conversely, when signal strength is weak, devices must amplify their signal to maintain a connection, which requires more energy.
This is especially problematic in the early stages of 5G deployment, as many areas do not yet have widespread coverage. Users may find themselves in locations where 5G signals are weak or patchy, resulting in devices working harder to maintain a connection, which is a power-intensive process.
Network improvements
A key factor in addressing the power consumption issue is improving 5G network infrastructure in the first place. To ensure consistent and strong signal strength, network operators are increasingly deploying “small cells” in urban and densely populated areas. These small cells are low-powered base stations designed to fill coverage gaps and enhance network capacity, particularly in areas where traditional macro cell towers may not be effective.
By increasing the density of base stations with small cells, network operators can ensure that devices are always close to a source of strong signal, reducing the need for devices to boost their transmission power and in turn decreasing energy consumption and preserving battery life.
Another important improvement is the use of beamforming technology, which allows 5G networks to focus signals more directly towards individual devices, improving signal strength and efficiency. This can also reduce battery drain by ensuring that devices do not have to search for or amplify signals.
What 5G SA offers
Most 5G networks today are deployed in a non-standalone (NSA) configuration, which relies on existing 4G infrastructure to manage certain tasks, such as signalling and control functions, while 5G handles the data traffic. This hybrid approach was necessary for early 5G rollouts to quickly leverage existing 4G networks, but it introduces inefficiencies in power consumption.
In NSA networks, devices must maintain simultaneous connections to both 4G and 5G, resulting in additional power usage. The constant switching and coordination between the two networks contribute to the battery drain experienced by many users today. Additionally, the use of 4G for control functions can slow down the handover process between base stations, causing further inefficiencies.
The transition to 5G SA, however, holds this potential to improve energy efficiency in the long term. 5G SA networks are designed with energy efficiency in mind, using advanced features such as network slicing, which allows operators to create virtual networks tailored to specific applications or devices.
For example, low-power IoT devices can be assigned a network slice optimised for minimal energy consumption, while high-performance applications can be given a different slice with higher bandwidth. This flexibility can significantly reduce power usage for devices that do not require constant high-speed connectivity.
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