Some time in May last year, we did talk about how NTT DoCoMo of Japan intends to test out 5G technology – which was obviously a kind of technology that existing hardware among consumer electronics users are unable to support just yet. Well, here we are with word that NTT DoCoMo has partnered with Nokia Networks for the standardization of 5G technology, where this partnership will explore and harness the potential of Nokia Networks mmWave technology in the 70 GHz spectrum band.
In fact, when a joint indoor 5G trial was carried out, both of the companies successfully achieved downlink speeds of more than 2 Gbps, now how about that? This was achieved thanks to the use of higher frequencies in the 70 GHz band. This particular development does indeed, underscore the operator’s readiness to roll out a state-of-the-art 5G network in 2020 – and beyond, obviously. NTT DoCoMo and Nokia Networks have also penciled plans to carry out a 70 GHz outdoor trial some time later this year.
Seizo Onoe, CTO of NTT DoCoMo shared, “Utilizing higher frequency bands including millimeter wave is key to deliver extremely high performance in 5G. We believe that high-frequency spectrum shall be used not just for small cells as a means to complement the existing network, but also for building solid area coverage through coordination with existing lower frequency bands. The success of this indoor trial with Nokia Networks using the 70GHz band marks an important step forward in our 5G vision for 2020.”