5G is the next-generation wireless network technology that is expected to significantly increase data speeds, produce ultra-low latency times, support the connection of many more devices, and increase the energy efficiency of the network elements. Some future applications that will require the characteristics of 5G include:

• Vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication
• Autonomous vehicles
• Remote health services and healthcare monitoring
• Augmented and virtual reality
• Smart cities and smart homes
• Industrial automation
• Device interconnection (IoT)

While there are significant opportunities presented through the deployment of 5G, it is not without its challenges including:

• Defining standards to ensure interoperability
• Building the infrastructure
• Support for a significant increase in devices on the network as well as a wide variety of devices
• Wide range of requirements for the various applications
• Cost considerations
• Reliability and security requirements
• Energy efficiency expectations

The IEEE Future Directions 5G Initiative strives to aggregate information about the various endeavors occurring worldwide in order to provide a community of professionals in the industry, academia, and government working to solve the challenges associated with 5G. Through various outlets, participants in 5G Technical Community can learn and collaborate on the 5G Initiative that has applications in many industries and markets.