o the RAN) using MEC is one such option. MEC is explained in Section 6.4. The usage mmWave in, for example, the 28 GHz frequency range can provide great throughput improvements; however, this comes with the limitation of reduced cell sizes. Realistically, mmWave can only be deployed with small cells, which SO far have had little market traction. 5G is likely to see massive small cell deployments (in order to realize the mmWave potential); however, this brings certain challenges in terms of transport network and site acquisition, which need to be addressed. More importantly, though, potential massive small cell deployment creates an opportunity for new network equipment vendors. Section 4.6 covers small cells. If operators deploy network equipment from multiple vendors, 13 the importance of network interface standards and standardized RAN architecture will increase. Slicing and private networks are important 5G features, allowing competition beyond tra- ditional wireless models. With slicing, a mobile network operator can offer some of their 12 CPRI standard defines an interface between Radio Equipment Controllers (RECs) and Radio Equipment (RE). It is commonly used in 4G networks, however almost all vendors have implemented proprietary extensions on top of the standard interface, thus it cannot be considered multi-vendor interoperable. A CPRI link transports digitized RF signals and therefore has high transport network bandwidth requirements. 13 In 4G, most mobile operators deploy equipment from a single vendor in a given area. References network capacity to a third party. On the other hand, private network support and NR oper- ation in unlicensed spectrum allow new market players, who may not hold licensed spec- trum, to use 5G technologies. Similar, relay and non-terrestrial network support (explained in Sections 5.2 and 5.3, respectively), which have been added to NR in later releases, allow the usage of this technology in new markets, previously dominated by other (proprietary or standard) technologies. These