Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc., in collaboration with AT&T, NTT DOCOMO, Orange, SK Telecom, Sprint, Telstra, T-Mobile US, Verizon, and Vodafone, showcased 3GPP-compliant 5G NR multi-vendor interoperability during live demonstrations held in both the Ericsson Lab in Kista, Sweden and the Qualcomm Research lab in New Jersey, USA. This pronouncement is based on the newly-approved NSA 5G NR standard has been achieved by a group of mobile communications companies.
The over-the-air Interoperability Development Testing (IODT) was conducted for lower layer data connections operating at both 3.5 GHz and 28 GHz bands. These just standardized layers are the fundamental building blocks of 5G NR.
NSA 5G NR will use the existing LTE radio and evolved packet core network as an anchor for mobility management and coverage while adding a new 5G NR radio access carrier to enable certain 5G use cases starting in 2019.
The successful demonstrations show the companies’ combined strength in carrying out timely trials that pave the way for commercial launches of 5G standard-compliant infrastructure and devices. Ericsson’s 5G NR pre-commercial base stations and Qualcomm Technologies’ 5G NR UE prototypes will enable operators to conduct live tests in their own networks.
The IODT test complies with flexible OFDM, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, waveform numerologies supporting low-band, as well as mid-band and high-band spectrum allocations for wideband operation and low latency services. It also enables future-proof and ultra-lean design as well as self-contained subframe structure that allows for data transmissions that efficiently support diverse use cases with requirements that include low latency, high peak-rate, and high reliability.
The test helps to control and data channel support for Massive MIMO features based on beam-centric design that improve spectral efficiency and achieve higher data rates, boosting performance for consumers. It also controls and data channels support for adaptive beamforming and beam-tracking techniques to enable use of high-band mmWave spectrum that deliver extreme data rates and capacity in a mobile environment. Its channel coding schemes based on latest technology in advanced low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes to support large data blocks and extreme peak rates, and Polar codes for reliable control channels.
“This milestone builds on years of researching and developing 5G technology as well as on leading and contributing to the standardization work,” said Fredrik Jejdling, executive vice president and head of business area networks at Ericsson. “By working closely with our key partners in early trials and fine-tuning our global portfolio, we ensure that we can bring the standard-compliant technology to the benefits of our customers and their customers.”
“Achieving multi-vendor interoperability based on the global 5G NR standard is a true testament to our continued 5G leadership, delivering fundamental contributions to the 3GPP standard and driving toward the launch of standard-compliant commercial networks and devices starting in 2019,” says Cristiano Amon, executive vice president, Qualcomm Technologies. “As we did in both 3G and 4G, we are excited to collaborate with Ericsson as an industry leader to accelerate the path to 5G globally.”
“The network of the future is being built – and it’s happening fast. We’re proud to be one of the top North American wireless carrier contributors into 3GPP’s work on 5G standards and to be part of the group of companies that advocated for standards acceleration earlier this year,” says Marachel Knight, SVP Wireless Network Architecture Design at AT&T. ”We’re excited to be a part of standards-based interoperability testing as this helps speed up development of 5G devices and hardware and helps pave the way to launch standards based 5G NR service as soon as the end of 2018.”
“We are very pleased with this initiative and believe early IODT is a key to enable a strong and robust ecosystem,” said Dr. Hiroshi Nakamura, chief technology officer at NTT DOCOMO. “NTT DOCOMO has worked on 5G trials with Ericsson for years. We can accelerate co-creation of new services and businesses with vertical industry partners.”
“On the road to 5G, Orange welcomes this first 5G NR Interoperability between Qualcomm and Ericsson. As sponsor of NGMN Trial and Testing Initiative, Orange supports key industry collaboration towards 3GPP standard-compliant trials. Orange is committed to roll-out 5G multi-service connectivity in the future therefore leveraging its potential to cover a large variety of uses,” says Arnaud Vamparys, SVP Radio Networks at Orange.
“SK Telecom is proud to be the first operator to initiate a discussion of early 3GPP-compliant trials with Ericsson and Qualcomm in 2016, which eventually led to this industry-first successful joint demonstration. We believe this is a meaningful industry collaboration bringing global 5G players together,” says Jinhyo Park, EVP, Head of ICT R&D Center, SK Telecom. “We will continue to drive 5G ecosystem to work on global standards and to enable early 5G commercialization.”
Ericsson also announced this week that it has signed agreements for credit facilities with the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) for USD 220 million, maturing in 2023, and AB Svensk Exportkredit (SEK) for USD 150 million, maturing in 2025. Of these new funds, 98 million will replace credit with NIB that was set to mature in 2019.
In addition to strengthening Ericsson’s balance sheet and financial flexibility, these new funds support R&D activities to further develop 5G and other mobile innovations. Mobile networks are evolving to deliver superior mobile broadband and communication services with increased data rates, improved coverage, availability and quality that will open-up for new services and business opportunities.
