The 5G trial used MU-MIMO, focused on mission critical communications use case
Although the 3GPP has yet to standardize the standalone 5G New Radio specification, global operators and vendors continue aggressive testing programs to prove out various aspects of the coming standard. In the latest, Vodafone Portugal carried out a 5G trial in partnership with network infrastructure vendor Ericsson.
Vodafone Portugal said the 5G trials were held at its head office in Lisbon last week.The 5G trials used beam tracking and MU-MIMO technology to transmit files to two mobile devices under real propagation conditions, Vodafone Portugal said.a
The telco said the demonstration showed how 5G technology could enable high-speed, critical communications which would be applied to robotics or autonomous vehicles.
“This is another milestone in the history of innovation at Vodafone Portugal which, by readying its mobile network for a progressive transition to fifth generation communications, is contributing to significantly improving users’ telecommunications experience by bringing more advanced technology to its customers,” João Nascimento, CTO of Vodafone Portugal, said.
Telia Company to implement 5G in education project in Helsinki
In other 5G news, Nordic telecoms group Telia Company and the City of Helsinki, in Finland, said they are developing a unique 5G pedagogy with the primary goal of digitalizing the education. The aim is to make Helsinki a world leader in using the latest ICT in learning, Telia Company said.
“Together, we are developing a learning system of the future in which advanced mobile technology plays a key role,” said Liisa Pohjolainen, head of the City of Helsinki’s education division.
Telia Company and the Education Division started collaborating by trying out virtual and augmented reality as teaching aids. The trial period has begun in the Arabia elementary school and will continue through the coming months.
“5G is bringing an unprecedented transition to a range of business practices. We want to develop the services of the future together with our customers and partners; the City of Helsinki’s open-mindedness serves as an example to others,” said Jari Collin, Chief Technology Officer, at Telia Finland. “We aim to introduce 5G connections in the first schools next year. When educational technology requirements are taken into account in the construction phase of a school, the teachers and pupils can focus on the more fundamental issue of developing teaching content,” Collin added.
