Ericsson and Qualcomm have announced the completion of a new standards-based, over the air non-standalone 5G data call using the 28-GHz frequency band.
The call using a radio system from Ericsson and a device with a smartphone form factor represents a validation of the use of the 28-GHz band for early 5G deployments.
The lab demonstration used Ericsson's commercially available 5G new radio and baseband products, and a mobile test device using a Qualcomm 5G-ready modem.
It represents the latest in a series of operability tests conducted by Ericsson with Qualcomm and other partners, which included a recently completed 5G data call using the 39-GHz band as well as tests in the 3.5-GHz mid band.
“By adding 28 GHz to the list of spectrum bands supported and tested by our equipment for initial 5G launches, we make it easier for our customers to roll out early 5G services to their users. This is made possible by our collaborative efforts with key partners to build a solid 5G ecosystem,” Thomas Noren, head of 5G commercialization at Ericsson said.
According to GSMA Intelligence, as of February more than 20 operators worldwide were trialing 5G using the 28-GHz band, with operators in Europe, South Korea and the US expressing a particular interest in deploying early 5G services using the band by as early as the end of 2018.