Ericsson and Airtel showcase mmWave 5G speeds in India: Testing achieved peak speeds of 4.7Gbps, highlighting the potential of mmWave for high-bandwidth applications (RCR Wireless News).

• Companies: Ericsson, a leading telecom equipment provider, and Bharti Airtel, a major Indian telecom operator, collaborated to demonstrate mmWave 5G functionality on Airtel’s network.
• Testing: The demonstration achieved peak speeds of 4.7 Gbps, showcasing the immense potential of mmWave technology for high-bandwidth applications.
• Location: The testing took place in India, a key market for both companies as they explore 5G expansion.
• Technology: mmWave, or millimeter wave, refers to the high-frequency spectrum (above 24 GHz) used in this demonstration. This spectrum offers ultra-fast data speeds but has limited range and can be blocked by obstacles.

Significance:

• High-speed potential: Reaching speeds of 4.7 Gbps demonstrates the transformative potential of mmWave for applications like ultra-high-definition video streaming, cloud gaming, and AR/VR experiences.
• Network capacity: mmWave technology can significantly increase network capacity in densely populated areas, where traditional 5G spectrum might struggle to handle growing demand.
• Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): The demonstration focused on FWA, where mmWave can deliver broadband internet access to homes and businesses without requiring physical fiber connections. This can be particularly beneficial in areas with limited fiber infrastructure.
• Emerging market potential: The success in India highlights the potential of mmWave in emerging markets, where fiber infrastructure might be less developed but demand for high-speed connectivity is growing rapidly.

Challenges and considerations:

• Limited range: mmWave signals have a shorter range than traditional 5G frequencies, requiring more base stations for wider coverage.
• Infrastructure: Deploying mmWave infrastructure requires significant investment and may face regulatory hurdles in some regions.
• Device availability: Currently, only a limited number of devices support mmWave connectivity.

Overall, the Ericsson and Airtel showcase showcases the promising potential of mmWave 5G for delivering ultra-fast speeds and increased network capacity, particularly in dense urban areas and emerging markets. However, challenges related to range, infrastructure, and device availability need to be addressed for widespread adoption.

ricsson has implemented mmWave 5G technology in various parts of the world, beyond the collaboration with Airtel in India. Here are some notable examples:

Europe:

• Germany: Ericsson and O2 Telefónica achieved 4Gbps speeds with mmWave in a Cloud RAN Proof of Concept in Munich.
• Sweden: Telia Company deployed a mmWave network in Stockholm, reaching speeds of 5 Gbps.
• Finland: Elisa and Ericsson launched a mmWave pilot in Helsinki, demonstrating applications like virtual reality gaming.

North America:

• United States: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have all deployed mmWave networks in major cities, offering significantly faster speeds.
• Canada: Bell and Rogers have launched limited mmWave deployments in certain cities.

Asia:

• Japan: NTT Docomo launched a nationwide mmWave network in 2020, aiming for ultra-fast speeds in urban areas.
• South Korea: SK Telecom and KT Corp. have both deployed mmWave networks in major cities.

Additional points to consider:

• The specific implementation details of each project vary depending on factors like spectrum availability, infrastructure, and target use cases.
• Ericsson actively collaborates with various partners to develop and implement mmWave technology globally.
• While mmWave offers exciting possibilities, it’s important to consider its limitations like shorter range and potential regulatory hurdles in some regions

Does mmWireless Replace Fiber?

It’s unlikely that mmWave 5G will completely replace fiber networks in the foreseeable future. Here’s why:

Strengths and weaknesses of each technology:

• Fiber:
  • Strengths: Extremely high speeds (up to 100 Gbps), low latency, reliable connection, no range limitations.
  • Weaknesses: High installation cost, limited availability in certain areas.
• mmWave 5G:
  • Strengths: Very high speeds (up to 10 Gbps), relatively fast deployment, suitable for high-density areas.
  • Weaknesses: Limited range (easily blocked by obstacles), higher network complexity, higher device cost, not yet widely available.

Complementary roles:

Instead of replacing each other, fiber and mmWave 5G are likely to coexist and complement each other:

• Fiber serves as the backbone: It provides the high-capacity, low-latency connectivity needed to support the massive data demands of 5G networks.
• mmWave 5G offers additional capacity and speed in specific areas: It can be deployed in densely populated areas, stadiums, airports, etc., to provide ultra-fast speeds for specific uses like VR/AR and high-definition video streaming.

Factors impacting future adoption:

• Cost: As mmWave technology matures and costs decrease, it might become a more viable option for wider deployment.
• Infrastructure development: Fiber infrastructure continues to expand, making it a more accessible choice in many regions.
• User needs: The specific needs and applications will determine which technology is most suitable. For example, fiber might be preferable for home internet, while mmWave could be beneficial for public spaces needing high-speed connectivity.

Conclusion:

While mmWave 5G offers impressive capabilities, it’s unlikely to completely replace fiber networks. They will likely work together to provide a comprehensive and diverse communication infrastructure for the future.