The IoT-based transition strategy towards 5G

After the 5G standard is officially established, it is expected that 5G will be commercially deployed to the market within two to five years. However, problems may arise when mobile network operators start shifting their infrastructure to such a new technology. The main causes for concern would be financial-related issues, since the deployment of the 5G network requires a huge investment at a time when the level of market adoption is still uncertain. For that reason, mobile operators should explore technological opportunities to ensure the transition from 4G to 5G would bring no harm to their company's financial condition. This paper presents an explanatory review of the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) as the basis of a transition strategy towards the implementation of 5G. The 5G vision implies that 5G would not only focus on increasing high speed data but should also involve facilitating mission critical communications, as well as Massive Machine Type Communications (MMTC). Hence, mobile network operators can start deploying the IoT network immediately and can operate on the technical path towards the establishment of real 5G's MTTC. Then, the two remaining 5G scenarios can be slowly introduced afterwards.