Intel has partnered with AT&T and Ericsson to launch the first 5G business customer trial at Intel’s Austin, Texas, facility.
As part of the collaboration, Intel and Ericsson are providing 5G infrastructure and connectivity technology for the millimetre wave (mmWave) end-user device and gateway powering this next-generation wireless network experience.
“This trial takes us a step closer to 5G commercialization, validating the feasibility of outdoor-to-indoor mmWave coverage for business customers.” said Thomas Noren, Head of Product Area Network Products, Ericsson.
According to AT&T, the trial is the first of its kind. AT&T has worked with Ericsson to conduct its first public 5G demo featuring streaming 4K HD video and real-time camera feeds — reaching speeds of nearly 14 gigabits per second. Now, AT&T, Intel and Ericsson are taking this 5G technology out of the lab to explore what benefits it can provide in a real-world business setting.
During the trial, gigabits per second bandwidth will let the three companies jointly test multiple enterprise proof-of-concept use cases. This includes internet access, VPN, unified communications applications and 4K video streams. The trial will showcase the potential of 5G voice-over-IP over the 15GHz and 28GHz spectrum bands.
“Intel is committed to collaborating with industry leaders to develop leading technologies and solutions that expedite network readiness for the successful early roll out of 5G,” said Aicha Evans, corporate vice president and general manager of the Communications and Devices Group of Intel.
Data-Rich
Future 5G networks will provide the communications backbone for data-rich services and sophisticated cloud apps, delivered faster and more efficiently than ever.
“The future of video is mobile. And the future of mobile is video,” said Tom Keathley, senior vice president, wireless network architecture and design, AT&T. “Mobile video streaming continues to be a vital aspect of our 5G work, and this trial gives us an opportunity to test 4K HD video streaming across further physical distances between pieces of equipment. With our 5G and 4G LTE advancements, we expect speeds rivaling what we see from cable providers. Our path to 5G will help make this vision a reality faster.”
The announcement is part of Intel’s continued work with operators, service providers and equipment manufacturers — from networking to wireless communications — to define standards and deliver products that will bring 5G to life.
