Vodafone, Xiaomi and Qualcomm Technologies Inc have successfully tested new 5G technology that will pave the way for customers to get faster upload speeds and wider coverage with the arrival of new smartphones and devices expected during 2024 .
In the first European technical test of this advanced 5G uplink technology, Vodafone, Qualcomm and Xiaomi achieved peak upload speeds of up to 273 megabits per second (Mbps). Most modern smartphones and home broadband services support average upload speeds of 100 Mbps. Enhanced 5G technology will bring upload speeds closer to download levels, while expanding coverage and increasing capacity.
The test combined the power of Vodafone’s new 5G Standalone (5G SA) network in both Germany and Spain with Qualcomm’s latest silicon technology (Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 mobile platform) and Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship smartphones . Improved uplink capabilities will allow customers to upload photos, videos and files to social media sites and the cloud nearly twice as fast as today when next-generation devices arrive later this year. This is important to meet the growing demand for cloud storage, video streaming, augmented and virtual reality applications, and multiplayer gaming.
This technological advancement is made possible using the advanced features of 5G SA. Specifically, the ability to improve uplink performance using a technique called uplink carrier aggregation with Tx switching, which combines multiple transmission channels supported by smartphones and mobile antennas. While most of the existing 5G services offered by telcos partially rely on 4G technology known as 5G non-standalone, Vodafone has pioneered the rollout of 5G SA. . The company is launching this commercially in Germany (first in the EU) and the UK, while also piloting it in other markets to support uplink carrier aggregation with Tx switching as new devices become available. We plan to update the site in stages.
Alberto Ripepi, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone, said:
We want our customers to be the first anywhere in the world to benefit from this new 5G capability when it becomes available. That’s why we’re working with key partners to lead the industry and drive a strong vendor and developer ecosystem to bring together and test the networks, silicon chips, and devices needed to make it happen. Masu.
said Enrico Salvatori, Senior Vice President and President, Qualcomm Europe/Qualcomm Europe MEA.
We are proud to continue working with Vodafone and Xiaomi to achieve new milestones in 5G. His evolution of 5G to 5G Standalone, the ultimate realization of 5G technology, is an important step in realizing the full promise of 5G with 5G Advanced.
Andi Zhang, Deputy General Manager of Products and Technology at Xiaomi, said:
Successful pilot testing of UL Tx switching highlights the added value of maximizing resource utilization in terms of user equipment capabilities and further improving uplink performance. We are committed to working with key partners to innovate in 5G and access technologies to improve the customer experience and stay ahead of the curve.
