Bharti Airtel and Ericsson have successfully demonstrated millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G functionality on Airtel network. Peak speeds of 4.7 Gbps were achieved during the testing, demonstrating the applicability of mmWave for high network capacity requirements.
The 5G high-band or mmWave spectrum is a valuable resource when targeting densely populated urban areas with large number of mobile devices, homes, and businesses. The high band, above 24 GHz offers an opportunity for service providers to offer unprecedented peak rates, low latency, and high capacity.
Commenting on the development, Randeep Singh Sekhon, chief technology officer (CTO), Airtel, said, “The peak throughput experienced during the testing gives us the confidence to deploy mmWave for fixed wireless access (FWA) application. Using FWA customer premises equipment (CPE) supported with 5G mmWave will not only help in delivering greater speeds but will also enable us to cover the large number of users that are not connected so far due to inaccessible fiber connections. FWA is an efficient and scalable alternative to wired connections.”
Meanwhile, Nunzio Mirtillo, head, Ericsson Southeast Asia, Oceania and India, said, “With 5G demonstrations on the 26 GHz band now underway, this is a significant step in showcasing how mmWave can be scaled and integrated into a commercial mobile network. Our extensive investments in research and development (R&D) have produced in-depth knowledge, experience, and multiple 5G mmWave patents. We possess a leading portfolio in the global 5G mmWave patent landscape and fully own the technology we use.”
Ericsson’s purpose-built hardware and innovative software co-design, powered by Ericsson Silicon, places the company in a unique position to fully maximise the potential of the high-band. Ericsson’s mmWave portfolio for macro and street macro levels offers Airtel the opportunity to seamlessly bring high-capacity connectivity to urban dwellers using FWA solution.
