Vodafone, Qualcomm and Xiaomi in the first European test of advanced 5G uplink technology
Vodafone, Xiaomi e Qualcomm Technologies Inc. have successfully tested a new 5G technology that will pave the way for customers to achieve faster upload speeds and wider coverage as new smartphones and devices arrive in 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 smartphones and home broadband services today are capable of achieving an average upload speed of 100 Mbps. Enhanced 5G technology brings upload speeds closer to download levels, while extending coverage and increasing capacity.
The test combined the power of Vodafone’s new 5G Standalone (5G SA) networks in both Germany and Spain with the latest silicon technology from Qualcomm (Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform) and the next Xiaomi flagship smartphone. Improved uplink capabilities will allow customers to upload photos, videos and files to social media sites and the cloud at nearly double the speed of 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.
Alberto Ripepi, Chief Network Officer of Vodafone: “We want our customers to be among the first 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 in assembling and testing the network, silicon chips and devices needed to make it a reality, all while driving a stronger ecosystem of vendors and developers.”
Uplink Carrier Aggregation con Tx Switching
This technological breakthrough is made possible by the advanced capabilities of 5G SA. In particular, the ability to improve uplink performance using a technique called Uplink Carrier Aggregation with Tx Switching which combines multiple transmission channels supported by the smartphone and mobile antenna.
While most of the current 5G services offered by telcos is partly based on 4G technology, known as 5G non-standalone, Vodafone is a pioneer in the rollout of 5G SA. The company has launched it commercially in Germany (the first in the EU) and the UK, as well as having launched pilot projects in other markets, and will progressively update sites to support Uplink Carrier Aggregation with Tx Switching as new devices will be available.
Enrico Salvatori, Senior Vice President and President, Qualcomm Europe/MEA of Qualcomm Europe, Inc.: “We are proud of our continued collaboration with Vodafone and Xiaomi to achieve another 5G milestone. The evolution of 5G to 5G Standalone, the definitive realization of 5G technologies, is a critical step in enabling the full promise of 5G with 5G Advanced.”
“The successful pilot test of UL Tx switching highlights the added value that maximizes resource utilization relative to user equipment capacity and further improves uplink performance,” he added Andi Zhang, Deputy General Manager of Product & Technology at Xiaomi. “We are committed to working with leading partners to innovate 5G and access technologies to improve customer experiences and stay ahead of the curve.”