A Survey on 5G Usage Scenarios and Traffic Models

TLDR

5G is a global initiative to design the next cellular generation, aiming to deliver tens of gigabits per second, millisecond‑level latency, and millions of device connections per square kilometer. The survey catalogs the most significant 5G use cases, detailing their scenarios and traffic models. It analyzes 5G’s performance requirements and reviews evaluation criteria and proposals from leading standards bodies and industry alliances. The paper delivers clear use‑case definitions and guidelines that facilitate performance assessment and deployment planning for current and future 5G technologies.

Abstract

The fifth-generation mobile initiative, 5G, is a tremendous and collective effort to specify, standardize, design, manufacture, and deploy the next cellular network generation. 5G networks will support demanding services such as enhanced Mobile Broadband, Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications and massive Machine-Type Communications, which will require data rates of tens of Gbps, latencies of few milliseconds and connection densities of millions of devices per square kilometer. This survey presents the most significant use cases expected for 5G including their corresponding scenarios and traffic models. First, the paper analyzes the characteristics and requirements for 5G communications, considering aspects such as traffic volume, network deployments, and main performance targets. Secondly, emphasizing the definition of performance evaluation criteria for 5G technologies, the paper reviews related proposals from principal standards development organizations and industry alliances. Finally, well-defined and significant 5G use cases are provided. As a result, these guidelines will help and ease the performance evaluation of current and future 5G innovations, as well as the dimensioning of 5G future deployments.