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current mobile standard LTE (4G) is intended to improve latencies, deliver higher bandwidth, and create new possible applications thanks to its enhanced performance. There will be several development levels or releases. Standardization of 5G started with Release 15 (R15), published in June 2019, and mainly determines the specifications for current 5G mobile devices, including CPEs and handsets. This release set two frequency ranges: FR1 (frequency range 1) with frequency bands previously below 6GHz and now (per R16) below 7.125GHz; and FR2, with frequency bands below 52.6GHz, including a part of the so-called mmWave spectrum. R16, impacted by COVID-19 has just fixed 5G/NR-V2X in the summer of this year. Future releases will address other topics, such as integration of higher frequency bands up to 100GHz. Experts Currently See Huge Potential for 5G in Three Application Areas The first application area is the consumer sector (enhanced mobile broadband—eMBB). More significant traffic and lower network power consumption are expected to enable many devices simultaneously without network losses. That will mainly improve user convenience and quality of experience (QoE). For instance, network capacity must be adequate for large crowds— such as concerts or sporting events—where many personal devices are used concurrently in concentrated numbers. A second application area is massive machine-type communication (mMTC). This issue is becoming relevant, especially concerning networking of all types of devices as part of the IoT. The objective will be to enable communication of up to 1 million connected devices per square kilometer. However, it is primarily the third potential application area that has aroused the automotive industry's interest in 5G: ultra- reliable low latency (URLL), ensuring reliable connections and short transmission times. URLL is vital to progressing self-driving vehicle technology. Because 5G optimizes machines and cars' integration in mobile communications, several stakeholders are involved in defining the 5G standards. Whereas the big players in the communications industry defined the existing standards, such as UMTS and LTE, new players are getting into the act with 5G. For this purpose, the automotive industry has established the 5GAA, a body for defining 5G standardization requirements. A standard definition is vital so that efficient communication between devices from different manufacturers is possible—for instance, in road traffic. Molex and 5GAA Molex is a global leader in radio frequency (RF) technology— from development and production to life-long system support. Since 2017, Molex has been an active member of the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), proactively participating in the definition of the 5G standard for the automotive industry. Enhanced mobile broadband is crucial for Molex: 5G will use FR2, the extended mmWaves frequency bands, ten times broader than the LTE band. 5GAA The 5GAA, which was established at the end of 2016, develops, tests, promotes communications solutions, supports their standardization, and accelerates the commercial availability of relevant products and solutions. Its goal is to address the desire for connected mobility and safety concepts with applications such as connected autonomous driving and complete access to services. Molex | 5 | Figure 1: The connected vehicle as part of the IoT environment (Source: Molex) Figure 2: Mobile subscriptions by technologies (in millions). (Source: Ericsson)

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