In a recent report, Ericsson predicts that 85% of mobile subscriptions in North America will be LTE by 2019, and the vendor says that the 5G demonstration is critical in addressing this relentless growth in mobile data demand.
“5G will impact both the access and core of mobile networks, so we are working closely with leading operators, including NTT DoCoMo and SK Telecom to ensure a practical and proactive evolution,” said Johan Wibergh, head of segment network at Ericsson. “The development of advanced radio technologies is one of the first critical steps in the realisation of a 5G future.”
Ericsson’s live demonstration utilised an innovative radio interface and advanced multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology to achieve its results, and developments include antenna technologies with wider bandwidths, higher frequencies and shorter transmission time intervals.
Both NTT DoCoMo in Japan and SK Telecom in South Korea have been pushing ahead with 5G trials and Ericsson’s report shows LTE subscription penetration has already reached 30% and 50% in Japan and South Korea respectively.
“SK Telecom plans to take the lead in 5G wireless services, so we are pleased to see the progress that Ericsson has already made with their live demonstration of 5G performance,” said Alex Jinsung Choi, EVP and head of ICT R&D division at SK Telecom. “5G will build upon the investment that we have made in LTE and expand our service offering to all of our customers.”
In March this year, Ericsson launched a 5G transport lab in Kista, Sweden.
