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<p>Wi-Fi increasingly has become an essential part of the 4G picture and it is predicted to take on an even more integrated role in 5G networks. Similar to prior generations, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the mobile broadband standard, has taken the lead in driving the 5G radio standards process. With 3GPP at the forefront, there are questions of where Wi-Fi&rsquo;s standards organization, IEEE 802.11, fits into the process.&nbsp; This is the topic of a recent&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wi-fi360.com/ieee-must-push-wifi-to-the-heart-of-the-5g-agenda-this-year/?utm_source=Master+List&amp;utm_campaign=a0b83d1780-Wi-Fi+Newsletter%3A+Guest+Wi-Fi+and+IEEE+WiFi+push&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_b48b335728-a0b83d1780-139634721&amp;ct=t">Wi-FI360 blog post</a> authored by Caroline Gabriel, Research Director &amp; Co-Founder of <a href="http://www.rethinkresearch.biz/">Rethink Technology Research</a>, a distinguished firm in wireless research.</p>
<p>In her post, Caroline states that the IEEE 802.11 group has the potential to influence the 5G process, but needs to determine the best approach. She dives into whether or not IEEE 802.11 should form a closer relationship with the 3GPP to ensure alignment between the Wi-Fi and cellular in the standardization process. Caroline references a presentation from InterDigital&rsquo;s Joseph Levy, principal engineer, in which he discussed the development of the relationship between the two sets of standards.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In his presentation, Joe outlined the potential for 802.11 to be a 5G RAT within the 3GPP architecture and argued that the Wi-Fi community would enrich the 3GPP process. The 802.11 agenda dovetails with the mutli-RAT architecture which is believed to be essential for the support of 5G use cases such as multi-gigabit video to ultra-low power M2M to ultra-dense venue networks. &nbsp;</p>
<p>However, 5G will be more than just RATs. It will also deal with core network and other areas that include IP standards, higher network layers and applications. It may also be the last generation in which the 3GPP takes the lead in defining standards at the radio level. Therefore, Caroline states that it is an important year for the IEEE 802.11 to push itself forward as a key participant. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Read the full article <a href="http://www.wi-fi360.com/ieee-must-push-wifi-to-the-heart-of-the-5g-agenda-this-year/?utm_source=Master+List&amp;utm_campaign=a0b83d1780-Wi-Fi+Newsletter%3A+Guest+Wi-Fi+and+IEEE+WiFi+push&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_b48b335728-a0b83d1780-139634721&amp;ct=t">here</a>.</p>