Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies have successfully tested pre-commercial software in a solution that improves the uplink performance of mobile networks by aggregating four 5G mmWave component carriers to boost the uplink throughput to gigabits per second (Gbps) by utilizing the 4 component carriers (4CC) uplink heavy time division duplex (TDD) pattern feature on top of NR-DC functionality.
The software addresses the growing demand for higher uplink speeds in hotspots such as stadiums and cultural arenas. The solution utilizes this high- and mid-band designed software and Qualcomm devices based on Snapdragon X65 Modem-RF System.
The solution improves the user experience and gives enterprises, particularly media houses, the ability to use cellular technology for live broadcasting without compromising on quality. The solution consists of Standalone (SA) New Radio (NR) Dual Connectivity (DC) software that uses 4x100MHz of millimeter wave (mmWave) band and 1x100MHz of mid-band. It is powered by Snapdragon X65 Modem-RF System on the user equipment side.
Håkan Cervell, Vice President and Head of Customer Unit stc, Saudi Arabia and Egypt at Ericsson Middle East and Africa says: “Our commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia runs deep and we are dedicated to working with our partners to find innovative solutions that meet the needs of customers and enterprises across the Kingdom. Traditionally, mobile networks are characterized by downlink speeds, but this proof of concept has shown the potential of uplink speeds and will open doors to enable new use cases that require high uplink capacity and throughput. We look forward to its further development, which will surely contribute to the Kingdom’s ambition to enhance its digital capabilities and realize a more digitally connected society.”
Haithem AlFaraj, Group Chief Technology Officer of stc says: “We are constantly looking for new ways to improve our customer experiences, and this proof of concept with Ericsson and Qualcomm is the latest in this effort. It represents a major step forward in our mission to enhance consumer experiences and empower enterprises in the Kingdom with the tools they need to succeed in today's digital world. We are confident this solution will not only improve uplink speeds but also open new possibilities for media companies using cellular technology for high demand use cases such as live broadcasting. We look forward to the further development of this PoC and seeing the impact it will have on our customers and in achieving the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030.”
Enrico Salvatori, Senior Vice President, Qualcomm Europe, and President of Qualcomm Europe/MEA, says: “We are thrilled to be a part of this successful proof of concept with Ericsson and STC. Our solutions such as the Snapdragon X65 5G Modem-RF System are pushing the boundaries of what is possible with mobile networks. We are committed to working with our partners to bring the benefits of 5G to Saudi Arabia and we look forward to working alongside stc and Ericsson for the commercial deployment of this solution in the coming years.”
Ericsson has a long history with stc, serving as a major network supplier since the inception of GSM (2G). This partnership further strengthens Ericsson's position in Saudi Arabia’s 5G market and is set to enable new 5G use cases requiring high uplink capacity and throughput.
Click here to learn more about Qualcomm's Snapdragon X65 Modem-RF System.
