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JCM 2025 Vol.20(2): 199-213
Doi: 10.12720/jcm.20.2.199-213

The Evolution of Mobile Communications: A Review about 5G Technologies and Future Directions

Mohaimen Q. Algburi, Sazan Kamiran Al-Jaff, Ayman N. Muhi, and Mustafa Ghanim*
Department of Communication Engineering, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq
Email: mohaimen.q.khalaf@uotechnology.edu.iq (M.Q.A.); sazan.k.hasan@uotechnology.edu.iq (S.K.A-J.); aymen.n.muhi@uotechnology.edu.iq (A.N.M.); mustafa.g.rzooki@uotechnology.edu.iq (M.G.)
*Corresponding author

Manuscript received December 22, 2024; revised January 23, 2025; accepted February 21, 2025; published April 23, 2025.

Abstract—5G is the most advanced mobile communication technology that has been standardized and made widely available. This review article covers mobile communication technologies from the First-Generation (1G) to the latest and most advanced Fifth-Generation (5G) system, focusing on all the breakthrough technologies designed to improve 5G capabilities and helps guiding the researchers to essential 5G and beyond components, presents their problems, and outlines the research path and development. 5G networks are now being installed in various countries. Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), millimeter waves, small cells, full duplex, beamforming, edge computing, and network slicing are key 5G technologies. While millimeter waves increase bandwidth, their higher frequency restricts signal range and increases transmission losses through air and solid materials. Small cell technology places base stations closer together, requiring more antennas, to increase coverage. Massive MIMO allows base stations to send and receive signals from many users at once, but it also increases signal interference. To address this, beamforming technology accurately directs signals. Full duplex technology maximizes efficiency and reduces delay. Network slicing and edge computing create adaptive, customizable virtual network slicing for specialized services, optimizing resource utilization and performance. These 5G technologies work together to overcome obstacles and produce a more efficient and unified system.


Keywords—Fifth-Generation (5G), Multiple-Input Multiple- Output (MIMO), mobile communication, beamforming, edge computing, network slicing


Cite: Mohaimen Q. Algburi, Sazan Kamiran Al-Jaff, Ayman N. Muhi, and Mustafa Ghanim, “The Evolution of Mobile Communications: A Review about 5G Technologies and Future Directions," Journal of Communications, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 199-213, 2025.

Copyright © 2025 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).