5G Americas, the voice of 5G and beyond for the Americas, today announced the publication of its latest white paper, "5G-Advanced Overview," which explores the pivotal developments of Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Releases 18 through 20 and outlines the strategic path toward 6G. This report offers a critical look at how 5G-Advanced is reshaping the wireless landscape with integrated AI capabilities, enhanced IoT scalability, energy-efficient networks, and expanded service potential.

“5G-Advanced represents a major evolutionary milestone in cellular technology—one that harnesses the full potential of artificial intelligence, sustainability, and connectivity to deliver smarter, more resilient networks,” said Viet Nguyen, President of 5G Americas.

The white paper delves into key innovations driving the 5G-Advanced era, including:

• AI-Native Networking: Integration of machine learning into RAN and core infrastructure enables zero-touch automation, predictive maintenance, and intent-based Self-Organized Networks, cutting fault detection time by 90 percent and reducing false alarms by up to 70 percent.
• Energy Efficiency Breakthroughs: Features such as cell sleep modes, antenna switching, and discontinuous transmission deliver energy savings up to 56 percent, while new ambient IoT technologies pave the way for battery-less device ecosystems.
• Enhanced XR and IoT Readiness: Latency innovations like Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable throughput (L4S) and new QoS frameworks allow networks to support immersive XR and real-time industrial automation with unprecedented reliability.
• Spectral Efficiency and NTN Integration: Advanced MIMO techniques and Non-Terrestrial Network support extend high-performance 5G to underserved regions, achieving uplink speeds exceeding 500 Mbps and enabling satellite-based coverage.

“The transition to 5G-Advanced unlocks transformative potential across industries—supporting digital twin applications, private networks, and AI-driven automation for enterprises and governments alike,” said Andrea Brambilla, Head of RAN Evolution, Device Partnership at Nokia and group co-leader of the white paper.

“By building on 5G Standalone, we’re not just enhancing today’s capabilities—we’re driving the full realization of 5G through 5G Advanced. With the nation’s only 5G Advanced network, T-Mobile is setting the stage for a truly intelligent, sustainable, and nationwide 6G ecosystem,” added Pei Hou, Principal Technology Development Strategist at T-Mobile, and white paper group co-lead.

The paper also outlines the strategic implications for operators, enterprises, and policymakers. With AI, automation, and energy efficiency at its core, 5G-Advanced forms a scalable platform for future monetization and digital innovation. Regulatory recommendations emphasize the need for updated policies on AI governance, spectrum sharing, NTN licensing, and global harmonization of IoT standards.

To download the full white paper and explore more insights on the path to 6G, visit the 5G Americas website.

About 5G Americas: The Voice of 5G and Beyond for the Americas

5G Americas is an industry trade organization composed of leading telecommunications service providers and manufacturers. The organization’s mission is to be the trusted voice in North America's wireless industry, fostering collaboration, driving thought leadership, and advancing next-generation mobile technologies. 5G Americas is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. More information is available at 5G Americas’ website, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter).

5G Americas’ Board of Governors Members include Airspan Networks Inc., AT&T, Ciena, Cisco, Ericsson, Mavenir, Nokia, Qualcomm Incorporated, Samsung, and T-Mobile US, Inc.

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