Telecom trio announce data session on commercial 5G modem

T-Mobile, Qualcomm Technologies and Ericsson have achieved what they claim to be the world’s first low-band 5G data session on a commercial 5G modem.

The data session was conducted in T-Mobile’s lab in Bellevue, Washington on 600 MHz — the same spectrum T-Mobile is using to roll out broad, nationwide 5G in the US.

The data session used a mobile test device powered by the second-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 5G modem, RF transceiver and RF front-end (RFFE) solution, as well as commercial 5G radios from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio.

The companies said the demonstration “is an important step toward the launch of the first commercial 5G network using low-band spectrum”.

“This is a key step toward achieving our vision of 5G for all,” said Neville Ray, Chief Technology Officer, T-Mobile. “This modem will power devices that tap into the 600 MHz low-band spectrum we’ll use to blanket the country with 5G.

“And we’re not stopping there,” he added. “If regulators approve our merger with Sprint, we’ll have the crucial mid-band spectrum and resources needed to supercharge our network and deliver broad and deep, transformational 5G across the US.”

T-Mobile says its 600 MHz low-band spectrum will offer “several unique advantages” as the foundation for its 5G network, including wider coverage area and deeper signal penetration in buildings than millimetre-wave spectrum.

“This call demonstrates the ability to dramatically increase 5G’s global footprint and we look forward to continuing our work with industry leaders like Ericsson and T-Mobile to unlock the full potential of 5G for consumers and new industries around the world,” said Cristiano Amon, President, Qualcomm Incorporated.

“Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies have successfully tested and commercialised 5G globally across different spectrum bands, and together with T-Mobile we have now reached another major milestone as we are enabling 5G on low bands,” said Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Networks, Ericsson.

“This shows that our industry is now ready for building wider 5G coverage that will enhance end user experience.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/sdecoret

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