Thai operator AIS, Qualcomm and ZTE announced claimed to launch the first in the field demonstration of 5G NR-DC (New Radio Dual Connectivity), a move that could potentially enhance Thailand’s 5G network and expand its use cases.
NR-DC is the use of two frequency bands to improve coverage and data speeds. For this test, waves in the 2.6GHz and 26GHz frequencies (sub-6 and mmWave) were used achieving 8.5Gbps in peak downlink and 2.17Gbps peak uplink speeds with a single mobile device.
The test was conducted at the AIS commercial 5G site in Korkat Thailand using a smartphone test device powered by a Qualcomm X65 5G Modem-RF System, and ZTE’s latest mmWave AAU network infrastructure equipment.
ZTE said in a statement the showcase paves the way further for commercial progress in 5G mmWave in Thailand. AIS claimed to be the largest holder of low, mid and mmWave spectrum after the recent auction and is aiming to improve service for Thai customers with its stockpile and projects such as this.
Wasit Wattanasap, AIS head of nationwide operation and support business unit said: “This trial gave us a wider channel for the signal and extremely low latency. For instance, there could be streaming games online (cloud gaming), controlling driverless vehicles and commanding robots remotely in real-time.
“Moreover, the trial supports the development of new models of chipsets in the future, to speed up data transfer even more. This cooperation highlights how AIS is the only provider using its licensed spectrum of every waveband for development to support business growth in various dimensions.”
Qualcomm South East Asia VP ST Liew added: “Our collaboration with AIS and ZTE proves the feasibility of deploying 5G mmWave in Thailand. Qualcomm Technologies believes that 5G mmWave will be the key to unlocking the full potential of 5G. The possibility is endless and we are proud to take the first step in bringing the full benefits of 5G mmWave to the country.”
