Chinese telecom network and software major Huawei has displayed a 5G and LTE Dual Connectivity live demo with a 4K Video on demand service at the 2016 MBBF (Mobile Broadband Forum) in Japan.
The demo — based on CloudRAN architecture — achieved 21Gbps single user peak throughput.
The success of Huawei’s CloudRAN based 5G and LTE Dual Connectivity makes the fast deployment of 5G NR (New Radio) over existing LTE networks possible.
Ericsson takes lead in 5G
Ericsson, one of the rivals of Huawei, in August said that it’s commercializing the world’s first 5G NR radio for massive MIMO, with the first deployments coming in 2017. Together with the Ericsson 5G Plug-Ins announced in June and Ericsson’s already commercially available Radio System Baseband 5216, which currently powers Ericsson’s Radio Test Bed, Ericsson is first to deliver all components of a 5G access network.
With the development of AR/VR, HD video, WTTx broadband access and cloud-based services, 5G NR needs to be deployed first in central hotspots to deliver the extreme experience of ultra-high capacity and ultra-low latency.
The existing LTE network keeps evolving with the introduction of new technologies such as 3D Massive MIMO, to protect network investment and improve network capacity, spectrum efficiency and coverage in urban areas.
With the CloudRAN architecture realizing regional coordination and resource allocation among multiple systems, frequency bands, sites and diversified service requirements, the Dual Connectivity solution will utilize the complementary benefits of 5G and LTE.
“It is important to guarantee end users with a ubiquitous high data rate experience in densely populated urban city areas with high buildings and complex roadways. We expect to strengthen our cooperation with industry partners on 5G innovations based on these real application scenarios,” said Yuefeng Zhou, CMO of Huawei Wireless Network Product Line.
Peter Jarich, vice president, Consumer and Infrastructure Services, Current Analysis, said mobile operators are focused on the race to 5G commercialization, while also continuing to invest in their existing LTE networks.
Ericsson has created the telecom industry’s first Industrialized Network Rollout Services solution. The Network Deployment Delivery Platform coupled with Ericsson’s process facilitates the complete configuration, installation, integration, shakedown and handover of a fully verified site, ready in a single site visit.
