Qualcomm, Nokia test 5G in the 3.5 GHz and 28 GHz bands

5G interoperability test connected a Nokia base station with Qualcomm prototype devices

Setting the stage for operator trials, Qualcomm announced it successfully completed an over-the-air interoperability test based on the 5G New Radio specification. Nokia’s AirScale base station was connected to prototype user equipment developed by Qualcomm.

The non-standalone 5G NR specification was set in December and the standalone 5G NR spec is set for completion in June by the 3GPP. Operators are planning commercial deployments of 5G in the 2019 timeframe. Nokia and Qualcomm are working with a larger group of operators including BT, EE, Deutsche Telekom, Elisa, KT, LGU+, NTT DoCoMo, Optus, SKT, Telia and Vodafone.

In terms of frequencies, the partners tested in the 3.5 GHz band, which is seen as a key global roaming band for 5G, and the 28 GHz band, which brings high capacity but challenging propagation characteristics.  

 Nokia President of Mobile Networks Marc Rouanne said the tests “demonstrate how we have quickly applied the 3GPP Release 15 specifications that were set in December…Now, we can look forward to commencing standards-based, over-the-air 5G NR trials with operators.” 

Speaking of operators, Finnish mobile network operator Elisa on Feb. 7 conducted a test of new VR, AR gaming experiences delivered over a 5G network built with Huawei and deployed in the 3.5 GHz band. Elisa reported a peak speed of 1.4 Gbps was established between a base station and user terminal.

“5G is just around the corner,” Elisa CTO Kalle Lehtinen said, “and we believe that we will start to see applications…in 2018. We are focusing on 5G, and we are engaged in a great deal of cooperation with our partners to test and develop new technologies.”