Test and measurement company Viavi Solutions has revealed that 25 mobile operators have already announced lab testing of 5G mobile technology.

Among those, 12 report having progressed to field testing. An additional four operators have announced their plans for 5G trials.

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Five operators have reached data speeds of 35 Gbps or more in 5G trials. Etisalat has demonstrated the highest data speed of 36 Gbps, with Ooredoo conducting tests at 35.46 Gbps.

Optus, M1 and Starhub have reached 35 Gbps, with all other operators conducting 5G trials reporting data transmission speeds of at least 2 Gbps.

Telecom operators are testing across a range of bandwidths, ranging from sub-3 GHz to 86 GHz. 8 operators are using spectrum 28 GHz, while seven operators are using 15 GHz spectrum for 5G trials across the globe.

Currently, five major network equipment providers are involved in 5G trials: Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia, Samsung and ZTE.

While some operators are using just one network equipment provider in their trials, many are using multiple vendors during trial stages. KT Corporation is including all five network equipment providers in its trials.

“The pace of 5G development is already beyond the expectations of many observers,” said Sameh Yamany, chief technology officer of Viavi Solutions.