Special Report: Stretching 5G In 2022, 5G is starting to enter the ‘interesting phase’. There are now many relatively large-scale, commercial 5G networks in operation and we are starting to learn some of the real world lessons about the technology’s performance, quality of service and relationship to other forms of connectivity. Some of these are highlighted in a new study by OpenSignal (see below). But most of the networks are still based on 5G NR Non-Standalone, which uses the 4G packet core, and they are almost entirely focused on traditional user bases and use cases – basically ‘4G-plus’ mobile broadband. The interesting phase of 5G will come when its capabilities are harnessed in earnest for non-broadband use cases, especially…