Building Lasting Cellular Architecture: Adding 5G Layers To 4G Infrastructure

InnovationBuilding Lasting Cellular Architecture: Adding 5G Layers To 4G InfrastructureByJulie Song,Forbes Councils Member.for Forbes Technology CouncilCOUNCIL POSTExpertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author. | Membership (fee-based)Jun 02, 2026, 09:45am EDTJulie Song, President at Advanced RF Technologies (ADRF), responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company globally. getty​The pace of wireless innovation has never been faster. According to 5G Americas, "5G has expanded four times faster than 4G LTE did in a comparable period." Enterprises are actively upgrading their existing 4G networks with 5G layers to meet growing connectivity expectations. The most recent "U.S. State of Enterprise Connectivity Report" from Ericsson shows that by 2030, 5G networks are projected to handle 80% of all global mobile data traffic, rising from 34% at the end of 2024.​But upgrading existing network infrastructure to 5G is easier said than done. Traditional in-building wireless systems often struggle to support the combined need for capacity, coverage and emerging 5G-enabled applications. For network designers and enterprises, adding 5G is more than just overlaying new spectrum; it requires careful planning to maintain performance, avoid interference and deliver consistent, enterprise-grade connectivity across large, complex environments.​Mind The GapCoverage gaps remain one of the biggest challenges when upgrading or supporting enterprise 5G infrastructure. While the aim is ubiquitous connectivity, reliable cellular coverage can remain elusive in certain large, complex venues or buildings, such as stadiums, hospitals or manufacturing plants, leading to underserved areas.​In practice, this is a result of network design issues. Large multisector distributed antenna system (DAS) deployments typically begin at the headend, where signals are received and then distributed throughout the building or v...