Nokia has completed an end-to-end 5G New Radio (5G NR) data call as part of a Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) 5G Technology R&D trial. The 3GPP-compliant dual connectivity call was conducted using a 5G NR system over-the-air on the 3.5 GHz frequency band and LTE in the 2.1 GHz frequency band, supported by a 5G user equipment simulator provided by PRISMA Telecom Testing.
For existing 4G operators, dual connectivity will allow them to more rapidly create 5G coverage and services by connecting 5G NR to a 4G radio that is connected to an existing Cloud Packet Core. The successful 5G NR data call is an important step toward the verification of 5G in the sub-6 GHz frequency bands, which is required for wide-area coverage and massive IoT connectivity, in preparation for commercial deployment in China in 2020.
China, will be one of the first adopters of 5G technology, which will deliver new possibilities for consumers and industries alike. For example, consumer entertainment will be enhanced by super-fast downloads of HD videos in seconds, and new virtual reality experiences will be made possible. 5G will also enable connectivity for billions of IoT devices, driving new levels of automation and the ability to leverage artificial intelligence to transform industries and economies.
The end-to-end data call used the Nokia AirScale Cloud RAN, Nokia AirScale baseband unit, Nokia 5G Massive MIMO Active Antenna, Nokia Cloud Packet Core and Nokia home subscriber service together with a 5G end user equipment simulator provided by PRISMA Telecom Testing. The Nokia AirFrame data center solution was used to control the Cloud RAN. Nokia will continue to work with MIIT through 2018 trialing 5G in the 4.9 GHz frequency bands.
Nokia is ready to support dual connectivity with the AirScale radio access portfolio as it is upgradeable via software to 5G and provides single RAN support for 4G, 4.5G Pro and 4.9G as well as legacy technologies. As a result it can help customers meet their early 5G deployment schedules and initial coverage demands. PRISMA Telecom Testing is a key global player in the Radio Access Network testing arena, capable of supporting all 3GPP mobile technologies.
