Swiss operator Swisscom, Ericsson, Qualcomm and Taiwanese wireless product device manufacturer WNC have claimed a 5G milestone with the first test of a 5G smartphone prototype on a live network.
The companies used Swisscom's 5G network, equipped with Ericsson's 5G new radio hardware and software solutions, for a data transfer trial using a smartphone prototype powered by Qualcomm's debut 5G modem and RF subsystem offering.
During the trial a prototype hotspot device developed by WNC (Wistron NeWeb Corporation) was also successfully tested on the live network. This device also used the Qualcomm modem.
Swisscom CEO Urs Schaeppi said validation on a live network is an important step towards ensuring the first 5G smartphones reach the market by the middle of next year.
“One year ago, in cooperation with Ericsson, we presented the first laboratory applications. Today, we are taking the next step by presenting a 5G smartphone prototype for the first time in real conditions on our 5G network,” he said.
“This modem, or chipset, will soon be inside the first 5G smartphones.”
Swisscom's live pilot 5G network is operating on the 3.5-GHz band under a test license for use case field trials. The operator aims to have its 5G network operational in 60 cities across Switzerland by the end of 2019.