5G specifications are developed in releases. Each release introduces new features and functionalities while enhancing existing ones within the 5G system. For more information on releases, see the topic “3GPP Releases and Their Implementation.”   Release 15 (Rel-15) was the first 5G release, focusing primarily on traditional communication services such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB). Nevertheless, 5G significantly improves mobile communication, enabling the deployment of Industrial 5G networks even with Rel-15 technology for selected industrial use cases.

However, specific industrial features, such as ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), Industrial IoT including support for Ethernet/LAN interfaces, TSN, IEEE 802.1AS/gPTP time synchronization, and native non-public networks, were first specified in Release 16 (base functionality) and have been enhanced in Release 17.

Although each release and its specifications containing features and functionality provide clear guidelines on the timeline for said features and functionality, there is flexibility in how they are implemented. It is not mandatory to implement all features from one release before moving on to features and functionality from the next. The primary requirement is that a functional 5G system is achieved. Moreover, a device marketed as compliant with a specific release, such as Rel-16, may not include all features and functionality of that release, particularly those targeting specific application domains like industrial use cases.

Unfortunately, the implementation of industrial Rel-16 features has been delayed. This is illustrated in Figure 1 below, which highlights the hardware-specifications-requirements gap.

Figure 1: The hardware-specifications-requirements gap in industrial 5G.

While ITU-R and 3GPP have already begun gathering requirements for 6G mobile systems (as of May 2025), 3GPP technical specifications are still finalizing the 5G-Advanced Rel-19 specifications. However, hardware availability for industrial 5G features has remained stalled at the early stage of Rel-16. This unusually large gap means that critical feedback from operational industrial deployments is still missing.

The number of Industrial 5G devices is steadily increasing. A current overview can be found in the 5G-ACIA Industrial 5G Device Guide. Additionally, valuable insights are available through the 5G-ACIA Industrial 5G Demo Wall. Although almost all current Industrial 5G devices and infrastructure are based on Rel-15, many industrial use cases are already supported. Private (non-public) Industrial 5G networks are a reality, and Rel-16 hardware with industrial features is on the verge of broader deployment.

Once industrial features become available in devices and are used in operational production and automation, especially URLLC and Industrial IoT for deterministic industrial communication, the market for Industrial 5G is expected to grow significantly.

As shown in the figure, the capabilities and applicability of Industrial 5G will continue to expand in the near future, leading to broader adoption in areas such as industrial automation. However, the figure also underscores that the ongoing development of 6G must evolve from 5G. This evolution is essential to preserve the investments made by industrial (OT) companies in 5G devices and infrastructure, to incorporate insights from operational deployments, and to support the long life cycles typical of industrial environments—often 15 to 20 years or more—compared to the approximately 10-year cycle of mobile communication generations [1][2].

[1] „Our view on the Evolution of 5G towards 6G“, 5G-ACIA, 6G Position Paper, https://5g-acia.org/whitepapers/our-view-on-the-evolution-of-5g-towards-6g/

[2] „5G-ACIA Considerations on 6G“, 5G-ACIA, 6GWS-250214, 3GPP Workshop on 6G, March 2025, Incheon (South Korea)