Ericsson and telecom operator Bharti Airtel have announced the demonstration of mmWave 5G functionality on Airtel’s network.
During the testing phase, peak speeds of 4.7Gbps were attained, underscoring the viability of mmWave technology for addressing the demands of densely populated urban areas with a multitude of mobile devices, residential units, and commercial establishments.
The utilization of the 5G high-band, specifically the millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum, presents a promising avenue for Airtel to cater to the requirements of urban environments, offering unprecedented peak rates, minimal latency, and enhanced capacity. This spectrum, operating above 24 gigahertz (GHz), holds immense potential for revolutionizing connectivity experiences in urban settings.
Randeep Singh Sekhon, Chief Technology Officer of Bharti Airtel, expressed confidence in deploying mmWave for Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) applications.
Randeep Singh Sekhon has emphasized that leveraging FWA customer premises equipment (CPE) supported by 5G mmWave technology would not only enable the delivery of faster speeds but also facilitate connectivity for a substantial number of users currently underserved due to inaccessible fiber connections.
Nunzio Mirtillo, Head of Ericsson South East Asia, Oceania, and India, highlighted Ericsson’s investments in research and development, which have resulted in profound expertise, experience, and numerous patents related to 5G mmWave technology.
Ericsson’s purpose-built hardware and software co-design, bolstered by Ericsson Silicon, empower the company to fully exploit the potential of the high-band spectrum. Its mmWave portfolio, tailored for macro and street macro levels, offers Airtel the opportunity to deliver high-capacity connectivity to urban residents through FWA solutions.
According to insights from Ericsson’s FWA handbook for 2024, global FWA connections are projected to surge from 130 million at the end of 2023 to 330 million by the conclusion of 2029, constituting 18 percent of all fixed broadband connections. Of these projected connections, nearly 85 percent are anticipated to leverage 5G technology. As of November 2023, 50 out of 121 service providers offering 5G FWA services are situated in emerging markets.
