5G technology is already revealing its transformative potential. Advanced 5G features like network slicing, which supports mission-critical applications for first responders, secure communication for emergency services and connected infrastructure for smart factories are just a few of the use cases we are seeing. As these uses grow, there is more reliance on 5G networks to function as reliable and secure infrastructure — where failure is not an option. A critical aspect of this robustness is time synchronisation: the ability of network nodes to share the exact same time, down to the microsecond.
So far, mobile networks have normally been relying on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) — primarily the Global Positioning System (GPS). This presents inherent vulnerabilities; GNSS is increasingly susceptible to disruption via jamming, spoofing and outages. Operators need alternative time synchronisation technology to safeguard their 5G networks against such threats.
The role of precise timing in 5G networks
To fully understand why synchronisation is critical, consider that in a 5G network, nodes must communicate very precisely to keep data flowing. Any variation in time between network elements can lead to poor performance or even a network failure. This is particularly crucial in time-division duplex (TDD) networks, where data transmission and reception depend on strict timing alignment.
5G has strict timing requirements far beyond those of earlier generations, as its use cases like Massive MIMO, Carrier Aggregation and Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) demand low latency and high reliability. Network slicing, which allows operators to create dedicated “slices” for specific applications (e.g., medical use or critical infrastructure) on shared physical networks, also relies on precise timing to meet its performance requirements. Overall, without precise synchronisation, operators risk compromising these essential features and the new revenue streams they enable.
GNSS and its limitations for 5G synchronisation
Historically, mobile networks have relied on GNSS-based synchronisation (e.g. PS) due to its widespread availability and accuracy. Yet, as our dependence on precise timing grows, so do the risks associated with GNSS-based synchronisation. Recent reports have documented numerous cases of GPS outages and disruptions, with Europe and other regions seeing increased incidents of GNSS jamming. According to Eurocontrol (the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Control), Europe witnessed nearly a thousand GPS outages in the first months of 2024 alone, impacting high-stakes sectors from aviation to emergency response.
An outage — even lasting just a few hours — can severely impact 5G services reliant on GNSS-based synchronisation, causing failures across various critical applications. A seven-day GNSS disruption in the UK, for instance, is estimated to result in economic losses of over £7.6 billion, according to London Economics. In a world where uninterrupted connectivity is becoming vital, these risks underscore the need for a GNSS-independent solution, especially when it comes to 5G services.
Moving beyond GNSS: Next-generation synchronisation solutions
Emerging GNSS-independent synchronisation methods offer operators a viable path forward. These models avoid the need for continual GNSS dependence, creating an overlay that provides time synchronisation across existing IP infrastructure. By implementing these overlay solutions, operators can enhance both the security and resilience of their 5G networks without overhauling their infrastructure.
In contrast to traditional network-based synchronisation, which requires significant upgrades, GNSS-independent solutions can be deployed across existing infrastructure. This approach transmits accurate timing information from a central reference point to the radio access network (RAN) nodes without the need for costly new hardware in intermediary nodes. It is therefore also a cost-effective method, lowering CAPEX while avoiding big rollouts.
Moreover, GNSS-independent synchronisation supports time-as-a-service (TaaS) capabilities that mobile operators can offer to industries with strict timing needs — manufacturing, financial services, and media production, among others. By extending precise time over 5G, operators can serve a broad range of industry applications, unlocking new revenue streams while enabling enterprises to bypass GNSS-based timing.
Enabling new 5G applications through robust synchronisation
Precise synchronisation is not just about securing networks; it also drives the development of new use cases. Network functions like Massive MIMO, Carrier Aggregation, and CoMP — essential for high-performance and low-latency applications — are all empowered by accurate timing. These functions pave the way for complex and mission-critical applications.
For instance, in a natural disaster, 5G connectivity can enable real-time coordination between emergency responders, sharing live video from drones, accessing maps, and communicating securely across devices. Similarly, in connected factories or autonomous mines, where latency can impact safety and efficiency, 5G ensures that machinery and control systems operate without interruption.
Accurate time also underpins network slicing; by enabling a more tailored approach to resource allocation and service quality, network slicing expands the value of 5G infrastructure while ensuring critical applications are fully supported.
Resilient 5G networks: Safeguarding national infrastructure
As mobile networks continue to expand their role in critical infrastructure, the importance of resilience cannot be overstated. 5G networks will increasingly serve as the foundation for a broad range of important infrastructures and businesses. As such, they must be protected from vulnerabilities associated with GNSS-based synchronisation.
With GNSS-independent timing, operators and governments can ensure that critical infrastructure remains secure and operational even in the face of GNSS disruptions. By embracing these technologies, stakeholders can build networks that are more resilient to cyber threats, electronic warfare, and geopolitical instability.
In an era where connectivity disruption can not only cost billions but also put lives on the line, adopting GNSS-independent synchronisation is not merely a technical decision; it’s an imperative. GNSS-independent solutions offer operators a path to more secure, resilient networks capable of supporting the complex applications that 5G promises. As we enter this next phase of 5G, a renewed focus on synchronisation will enable operators to safeguard critical infrastructure and unlock the full potential of their networks, creating new value for industries, communities, and national security.
With the right timing infrastructure in place, 5G networks can evolve into robust platforms capable of delivering unmatched reliability and supporting the high-performance applications of the future. For operators, governments, and businesses alike, precise synchronisation may well be the key to building a safer, more connected world.
Per Lindgren 