In a recent 5G demonstration, Ericsson Labs in Sweden achieved a bi-directional call on downlink and uplink streams, bringing the 5G future one step closer to reality. Ericsson and their partners (Intel) used Ericsson’s commercially available equipment, including the 5G NR radio 6488, baseband and Packet Core supporting 5G EPC for this call. The demonstration also included the use of the Intel 5G Mobile Trial Platform for the 5G NR UE, which allows for quick implementation of the latest air interfaces and communication protocols.
Ericsson and Intel demonstrated the successful 5G NR non-standalone data call, which serves as another powerful proof point that commercial 5G is at hand. Intel and the industry have worked closely together on the finalization of the 3GPP 5G R15 standard and now will collaborate to help operators accelerate their 5G networks, as Intel starts to evolves its LTE modem line-up toward the Intel XMM 8000 series modem by 2019.
Ericsson has been a driving force in 5G standardization for many years, making early predictions for what 5G could do back in 2010 and quickly creating test-beds with leading operators around the world. In December 2017, Ericsson and its partners announced the completion of the first 5G non-standalone NR standard and in June 2018, Ericsson and Intel completed the first successful standalone (SA) 5G call based on the new interoperability standard for SA.
