The abundant spectrum available at millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency bands above 24 GHz can deliver extreme capacity, ultra-high throughput and ultra-low latency. At Qualcomm, we made 5G mmWave possible in commercial 5G systems and continue to drive the technology evolution in this decade and beyond.
mmWave is essential for the 5G future.
5G mmWave not only unlocks extreme capacity and multi-Gigabit throughput that fuel cost-efficient unlimited data plans in dense networks today, but it also enables us to realize the full potential of 5G.
Since its initial rollout in 2019, service providers across the globe have hurried to have their networks 5G enabled and become the first 5G players in their respective markets. Many are now reporting that the mission-critical capabilities of 5G, such as superior speeds and low latencies, are quickly expanding the number of use cases and intensifying demands for data and performance.
When the 5G standardization process began, certain requirements were identified to provide connectivity for services with extreme requirements on availability, latency and reliability. These include enhanced mobile broadband services to smartphones and other mobile devices for video streaming via social media and realtime online gaming:
- 1,000 times higher data volumes
- 10-100 times more connected devices
- 10-100 times higher typical userdata rates
- Five times lower latency
Many scenarios using enhanced mobile broadband will directly benefit from high network capacity in urban environments. These include popular, crowded areas and hotspots with large numbers of smartphone users, for example stadiums or other large indoor events. Similarly, lastmile fiber/copper complements, and solutions like Ericsson’s mmWave portfolio for macro and street macro levels offer service providers the opportunity to seamlessly bring high-capacity connectivity to urban dwellers and professionals. Part of the Ericsson Radio System, street solutions are integrated elements of the network with feature parity and end-to-end performance.
Low latency characteristics of 5G mmWave will improve surveillance and video streaming/broadcasts, everywhere AR/VR for enhanced onling gaming experiences, and the evolution of the 5G smart factory. Within the wider framework of Industry 4.0, the 5G smart factory will help accelerate 5G deployment, create a substantial number of jobs, and usher in a promising new era of technological advancement.
The value of mmWave
Delegates at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19), a quadrennial gathering of regulators and governments organised by the UN-affiliated International Telecommunications Union, identified several mmWave bands that could be used for 5G networks. These included 24.25-27.5 GHz, 37-43.5 GHz, 45.5-47 GHz, 47.2-48.2 and 66-71 GHz.
The formal identification of these bands paved the way for global harmonisation, testing and standardisation – reducing costs and accelerating time to market. These agreements also ensured that safeguards for users of spectrum in adjacent bands, such as meteorological services, were in place.
The high capacity and ultrafast speeds of mmWave spectrum will enable many 5G applications that are less suited to lower-range bands. While it is expected that the majority of commercial 5G networks will deliver at least 1Gbps, it is mmWave that produces the theoretical maximum of 10Gbps.
