Chipset major Intel and telecom networking company Ericsson have delivered New Radio (NR) 5G data call operating over the 39 GHz spectrum band in a lab atmosphere.
Ericsson and Intel completed the data call on 3.5 GHz spectrum band in July as part of their strategy to offer the best support to 5G operators.

Intel’s RF mm-Wave chip and Ericsson Radio System equipment including 5G NR radio AIR 5331, baseband and Intel 5G Mobile Trial Platform were used for the 5G trial in labs in Kista, Sweden, and Santa Clara, California.

Engineers used the Intel 5G Mobile Trial Platform configured with 39 GHz RF chip/antenna, to demonstrate the 3GPP-compliant data call connecting to an Ericsson commercial 5G g-NB base station.

“This live 5G demonstration on the 39 GHz band signifies how close 5G commercial services are to reality in North America,” Asha Keddy, vice president Next Generation and Standards at Intel, said.

This world’s first is an important step in ensuring that commercial platforms from Ericsson and Intel are ready for deployment in 2019.

Telecom operators such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile US and Sprint are planning to use the 39 GHz spectrum for North American commercial deployment beginning in 2019. Operator rollouts using 39 GHz mmWave will deliver 5G data speed.

“Completing this data call on 39 GHz with Intel shows our commitment to realizing 5G in different spectrum bands,” said Fredrik Jejdling, executive vice president and head of Business Area Networks at Ericsson.