Page 75 - SAMENA Trends - January 2021

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Telstra Claims 5G Speed Record for Commercial Network

Australian mobile network operator (MNO)
Telstra has claimed a new record, having
registered what it called a ‘whopping’
download speed of 5Gbps for a single
user on its commercial 5G network. In a
blog post, the MNO said it had achieved
the speed working closely with Swedish
vendor Ericsson and US-based Qualcomm
Technologies. It noted that the speed had
been actually been recorded at its 5G
Innovation Centre on the Gold Coast just
before Christmas, while Telstra highlighted
the fact that this was the second time
in three months that it had achieved a
new peak downlink rate; previously, in
September 2020 it had reported reaching base station for mmWave, the Streetmacro mmWave as being ‘the next important
a speed of 4.2Gbps, using 5G millimeter 6701 aggregating 800MHz of mmWave iteration of 5G, technology that will take 5G
wave (mmWave) technologies, with that spectrum with a 4G LTE anchor band. to the next level’, and it has been testing
having represented a doubling of its It was conducted on a 5G smartphone it on the country’s intended frequency
previous peak speed. With regards to form factor mobile test device, powered (26GHz) since 2017. A commercial
the most recent achievement, Telstra by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X60 5G rollout to consumers is expected in 2021,
confirmed the most recent speed record Modem-RF System with third generation following the auction of spectrum in the
was achieved on the live 5G network by Qualcomm QTM535 mmWave antenna band in question and improved availability
using the Ericsson Radio System complete modules. The cellco has said it views of mmWave-compatible devices.

NBN Co Claims to Have Set 5G Long-Range Transmission World Record

Australia’s NBN Co has announced guidance for wireless technology Technology Officer, Ray Owen, said: ‘This
achieving what it claims is a world suppliers, while also helping NBN Co is a significant achievement for [NBN Co]
record for long-range 5G transmission understand the most cost-effective, and and our technology partners, Ericsson,
using mmWave, as part of its efforts to spectrum-efficient ways to integrate 5G Qualcomm Technologies and Casa
develop new options to further optimize into its evolving network architecture. Systems, we anticipate strong interest
the performance of its fixed-wireless NBN Co is exploring 5G technology from the global technology community
infrastructure. In live testing at a proof-of- operating in mmWave spectrum as part as we further develop these capabilities.
concept site near Mortlake, Victoria, NBN of its commitment to enhancing customer With industry development for mmWave
Co and its technology partners – Ericsson, experience and evolving its fixed-wireless largely focused on high-density urban
Qualcomm Technologies and Casa network for future needs. At present, the environments, this trial helps prove the
Systems – reportedly achieved a stable 5G operator’s infrastructure currently covers case for additional work to suit the unique
mmWave transmission of close to 1Gbps more than 620,000 premises across requirements of the nbn Fixed Wireless
at a distance of 7.3km, double the distance regional and rural Australia, with more network and other regional and rural use-
recorded at the site just three months than 90% of customers currently within cases around the world.’
earlier. According to the operator the field 7.3km of a fixed-wireless cell. Commenting
measurements will provide development on the development, NBN Co’s Chief

KT Corp Starts Testing Standalone 5G

South Korean mobile network operator has revealed that its employees will take rollout of SA 5G, which it has claimed will
(MNO) KT Corp has begun testing part in the testing of the technology at its make a noticeable improvement to its
standalone (SA) 5G on its commercial major offices and in urban areas. The MNO services.
network, Yonhap News Agency reports. noted that this development marks the
According to the local press outlet, KT final phase of trials ahead of a commercial
75 JANUARY 2021