5G Field Tests, Trials Rocket Forward

March 10, 2016

By Ernest Worthman

Worthman

March 10, 2016 — We are seeing the emergence of 5G test beds. For example, SK Telecom is currently in the process of building 5G test beds, and has carried out some 5G radio demos with Nokia, Samsung, Ericsson and Intel.

Verizon and Samsung are going ahead with plans to conduct 5G tests at 28 GHz, a band of much interest to the 5G arena. Samsung Electronics America recently applied for a special temporary authority (STA) to test equipment at 28 GHz in Plano, Texas, the purpose of which is to demonstrate 5G systems to various customers, operating at low power and within a limited area.

Samsung will be running those 28 GHz tests on the heels of another 5G test performed by the OEM in collaboration with Verizon. Samsung indicated it has succeeded in delivered 5G wireless speeds over millimeter wave band spectrum, in several real-world use cases. Those cases included in-building and mobile environments using Verizon’s FiOS wired network and Samsung’s 5G Hybrid Adaptive Array antenna radio technology.

Samsung also recently concluded a series of mobile, fixed wireless and in-building penetration 5G wireless tests that also delivered multi-gigabit-per-second speeds, including live streaming of 360-degree virtual reality content using Samsung Gear VR.