UK’s operator EE has showcased 2.8Gbps download speeds across an end-to-end 5G test network in its UK mobile lab. The test was carried out in partnership with Huawei and linked the fully virtualized 5G core to the 64×64 Massive MIMO active antenna unit broadcasting 5G New Radio.

UK’s operator EE has showcased 2.8Gbps download speeds across an end-to-end 5G test network in its UK mobile lab. The test was carried out in partnership with Huawei and linked the fully virtualized 5G core to the 64×64 Massive MIMO active antenna unit broadcasting 5G New Radio.

In order to deliver the consistent 2.8Gbps downlink throughput across the end-to-end 5G architecture, EE linked its fully virtualized 5G core network to 100MHz of 3.5GHz test spectrum via the proof-of-concept Huawei 5G baseband unit. The consistent 2.8Gbps speeds and sub 5ms latency were delivered end-to-end, rather than just across the air interface.

EE’s 5G architecture is aligned to Option 3 of 3GPP Release 15, due to be finalized next month and formally ratified in April 2018.