ISG F5G

Evolution of fixed networks to complement the success of 5G and future mobile systems, with the goal of delivering secure, low-latency full-fibre broadband connections in industrial and consumer applications.

ETSI’s Industry Specification Group on Fifth Generation Fixed Network (ISG F5G) studies and develops the generations of the fixed network, pursuing a “fibre to everywhere and everything” ecosystem to enable intelligent new and enhanced services. F5G builds this evolution on the pillars of better performance, intelligent E2E management, network security, enhanced energy efficiency and the integration of computing.

The group’s approach to the development of fibre network standardisation is focused on:

  • Identification of use cases and requirements.
  • Production of new standards or enhancements of existing ones.
  • Cooperation with other relevant SDOs and industry stakeholders.

Key areas of work

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Use cases

Defining use cases for fixed optical network services and related gap analysis, with extended focus to verticals and optical transport, identifying enhancements/developments of existing and new specifications.

Architecture framework and evolution

Considering AI based networking; support of AI based services; differentiated and guaranteed SLA in the all-optical space; expanding fixed-mobile convergence requirements in the defined architecture; synergies of Fibre-to-the-Room (FTTR) and Wi-Fi support of integrated sensing; support of integrated computing functionality; optical communication within and between data centres.

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Service quality evaluation and assurance

Through an intelligent management and control layer including autonomous network features and telemetry.

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Optical industrial networks

Industrial use cases including manufacturing, power grid and transport systems; overall architecture, adaptation of existing technologies to the new requirements.

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Computing collaboration

For data centre access, data centre interconnection, and intra-data centre networking to support AI applications and services.

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Energy efficiency and security in optical networking

Defining a green F5G Advanced optical network.

  • What we do

    ISG F5G is focusing on the expected evolution of the fixed network, through extension of the use of optical networks in a wide variety of scenarios for home, office, campus, industry and applications and more effective support to wireless networks. This work addresses the intelligent capability of networks to provide assured communication for data transmission and autonomous management and operation. The F6G vision is studied for the next evolution of optical networks.

    The following aspects are included in ISG F5G work plan:

    • Completing the specifications for the F5G-A fixed optical network.
    • Exploring possible additional F5G-A elements.
    • Developing an E2E reference architecture for F5G-A and providing the basis for F6G networks.
    • Specifying flexible and agile E2E management, enhancing QoE and QoS.
    • Assuring a service-oriented approach for the network generations.
    • Developing an ISG F5G Proof of Concept framework to validate F5G-A specifications, services or architecture options.
    • Evaluating and analysing security aspects of F5G-A (in cooperation with TC CYBER), and the evolution needed for F6G.
    • Leveraging the synergies between fixed networks (transport, aggregation, access, customer premises) and wireless communications to foster convergence in residential, enterprise and vertical services, and a coherent evolution towards the 6th generation network.

    Explore our Work Programme

Working Group

  • WG TEST

    The main responsibilities of this working group are:

    • Maintain and evolve the F5G/F5G-A test specification framework.
    • Develop F5G, F5G-A and beyond test specifications and test methodologies.
    • Initiate and facilitate the ISG F5G test activities.

Standards & documents

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  1. ETSI GS F5G-TEST 030 V1.1.1 (2026-04) Published
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    Fifth Generation Fixed Network (F5G); Test Specification for 50G-PON Functionality and Performance

  2. ETSI GS F5G-TEST 034 V1.1.1 (2026-04) Published
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    Fifth Generation Fixed Network (F5G); Test Specification for PON Based Industrial Network

  3. ETSI GS F5G 036 V1.1.1 (2026-04) Published
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    Fifth Generation Fixed Network (F5G); F5G Advanced Network Architecture Release 4

  4. ETSI GS F5G 033 V1.1.1 (2026-04) Published
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    Fifth Generation Fixed Network (F5G); F5G Advanced Technology Requirements and Gap Analyses; Release 4

Get involved

For participation inquiries or further information, please contact: [email protected]

Learn more about our membership benefits

 

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28 April 2026

F5G Advanced Release 4 Specifications published

ETSI ISG F5G has finished and published the last set of documents of the F5G Advanced generation in release 4. Specifically, the document on requirement,...

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F5G Advanced Release 4 Specifications published

White Papers

  • cover page of the ETSI-WP-70-Strategies for AI Adoption in Fixed Networks Challenges_Use Cases_and Future Directions

    Strategies for AI Adoption in Fixed Networks (April 2026)

    Authors: Several authors (see white paper)

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  • Cover White Paper n°60: All-optical network facilitates the Carbon Shift

    All-optical network facilitates the Carbon Shift
    (November 2023)

    Authors: Several authors (see white paper)

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  • Cover White Paper n°50: Fixed 5th Generation Advanced and Beyond

    Fixed 5th Generation Advanced and Beyond
    (September 2022)

    Authors: Several authors (see white paper)

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  • Cover WP 47: Fibre Development Index: Driving Towards an F5G Gigabit Society

    Fibre Development Index: Driving Towards an F5G Gigabit Society (July 2021)

    Authors: Several authors (see white paper)

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  • Cover WP40: Autonomous Networks, supporting tomorrow's ICT business

    Autonomous Networks, supporting tomorrow’s ICT business (October 2020)

    Authors: Several authors (see white paper)

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  • Cover WP41: The Fifth Generation Fixed Network (F5G): Bringing Fibre to Everywhere and Everything

    The Fifth Generation Fixed Network (F5G): Bringing Fibre to Everywhere and Everything (September 2020)

    Authors: Several authors (see white paper)

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