Welcome to 5G Advanced: Technical Innovations and Industry Impact

Welcome to this advanced course designed by the Telecommunications Education Center (TEC).

Getting Started 

To get the most out of this module, we recommend that you have already completed Wireless 101 and the 5G Ecosystem courses. This background will help you better understand how 5G Advanced builds upon the existing 5G networks we use today.

Course Overview 

We are currently entering the "second wave" of 5G. While the first phase of 5G was about getting the network up and running, 5G Advanced (Release 18) is about making the network smarter, more efficient, and ready for new types of business.

This course moves beyond the basics to explore how new features—like Artificial Intelligence, improved support for IoT devices (RedCap), and satellite integration—are changing the telecommunications landscape. We will also look ahead to see how these developments are laying the groundwork for the eventual move to 6G.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for professionals who need a solid grasp of where the industry is heading:

• Project & Program Managers: To understand the new capabilities you’ll be deploying.

• Site Acquisition & Legal Specialists: To recognize how network densification and new hardware impact infrastructure.

• Sales & Business Development: To better communicate the value of 5G Advanced to clients and partners.

• Field Leaders: To stay ahead of the curve on the equipment and standards appearing in the 2026 roadmap.

The focus is on system logic and industry trends, rather than deep-level engineering or radio frequency (RF) math.

This course was developed in collaboration with industry subject matter experts and academic partners and reflects current industry standards as of 2026.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain what makes "5G Advanced" different from the 5G we have today.
• Identify how AI and Machine Learning are being used to make cell sites more efficient.
• Understand new device categories like RedCap that allow for cheaper, battery-efficient IoT sensors.
• Recognize how Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) use satellites to fill coverage gaps in rural areas.
• Discuss the industry's roadmap toward 6G and the performance goals for 2030.

Course Format and Structure

The core instructional content is delivered as a self-paced interactive e-learning module in the next section of the LMS.

The course includes:

• Short instructional segments

• Visual diagrams and illustrations

• Knowledge checks to reinforce learning

• Final Quiz: A summary assessment to earn your certificate.

You may complete the course in one session or return to it later. Progress is saved automatically.

Time Commitment

The estimated time to complete this course is approximately 2 hours, depending on your pace and whether you choose to review sections more than once.

Completion and Certificate

Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Certificates are generated automatically once completion requirements are met.

Technical Support

If you experience technical issues or have questions related to course access or completion, please contact:

tec@wia.org