JANESVILLE, Wis. – Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies, and U.S. Cellular today announced the companies completed the first extended range 5G NR millimeter Wave (mmWave) data call in the U.S. on a commercial network.
The extended-range data call milestone was completed in Janesville, Wisconsin, over a more than 5 km distance with speeds greater than 100Mbps, says the Ericsson press release. “This achievement redefines the perception of 5G mmWave spectrum as an urban- or high-density-only deployment technology and offers new opportunities to use current infrastructure for broader 5G coverage,” reads the press release.
This shows mmWave can help close the “connectivity divide” and expand broadband services throughout rural, suburban, and urban communities, say the companies. “This breakthrough gives communications service providers a cost-effective way to expand their coverage and deliver 5G experience to communities that previously were not serviced or may have lacked a reliable connection,” adds the release.
It is also hoped this will open the door for new use cases. For example, fixed wireless access (FWA) installations can provide a cost-effective way to deliver fiber-like internet speeds wirelessly over mmWave to institutions such as schools, hospitals and town halls, and for addressing some of the last mile challenges in rural areas, say the companies.
FWA can also provide the bandwidth needed for high definition streaming services.
The connection was made by applying extended-range software to commercial Ericsson hardware – including AIR 5121 and Baseband 6630 – and a 5G CPE device powered by the Snapdragon X55 5G Modem-RF System with the Qualcomm QTM527 mmWave antenna module, explains the release.
Handout photo from Ericsson.
