Ericsson conducts first 5G end-to-end trial system

16 Feb 2017

Image: sdecoret/Shutterstock

Ericsson has implemented its first end-to-end 5G trial system, after revealing a partnership to demonstrate an intercontinental network.

Ericsson today (16 February) revealed the successful execution of its first end-to-end 5G trial system, proving the viability of a common infrastructure for future 5G services.

The lab-based trial was through a partnership with SK Telecom Korea, with Ericsson having enjoyed previous success with Telefónica in 2016.

5G speed

In the live demonstration, end-to-end data rates of more than 1Gbps and round-trip latencies of about 4 milliseconds to a gateway outside of the core were achieved.

“These live demonstrations with SK Telecom and Telefónica show Ericsson’s long-term commitment to 5G,” said Ericsson’s Håkan Djuphammar. “By leading the development of 5G technologies end to end, we are driving 5G technology closer to reality.”

Yesterday, the company partnered with Deutsche Telekom and SK Telecom to demonstrate an intercontinental trial network.

The demo was hosted in Germany and Korea, at Deutsche Telekom and SK Telecom’s respective testing sites.

In 5G, network slicing is an infrastructural process that separates a physical network into several virtual mobile networks. This could allow operators of dedicated networks to have functionality specific to a customer or to the service being provided.

“Our customers are demanding global connectivity with a unified service experience,” said Bruno Jacobfeuerborn, CTO of Deutsche Telekom.

“Network slicing is envisaged as a key enabler to support multiple services in the 5G era. Today’s breakthrough shows we can extend that concept to ensure optimised service experiences with global reach for our customers.”

Radio gaga

The new radio portfolios add mid-band and high-band 5G New Radio (NR) devices to the world’s first 5G NR radio that Ericsson launched last year.

This portfolio will be the first to support the new standardised 5G fronthaul interface called eCPRI.

Earlier this month, IBM and Ericsson announced the creation of a compact silicon-based millimetre wave (mmWave) phased array integrated circuit, far in advance of existing systems.

By transmitting at 28GHz on mmWave frequencies, connected devices on IoT networks, or even more immersive virtual reality, can communicate 10 times faster than existing mobile devices.

Gordon Hunt was a journalist with Silicon Republic

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