In LTE or 4G, the 3GPP defined a coexistence path for WiFi and LTE using the unlicensed bands, where an LTE subscriber could use the unlicensed 2.4 or 5 GHz bands to supplement data throughput. Known as LAA or license assisted access, LTE and WiFi can coexist, although it is unclear how many users take advantage of this technology today. 3GPP’s 5G NR-U proposals go way beyond the prior 4G work, and there is additional motivation to take NR-U further.
