Ericsson has achieved 5Gbps throughput in some tests Telecom giant Ericsson announced this week it is testing out 5G networks in the U.S. and Sweden, and has already exceeded 2Gbps throughput using multiple radio streams at the same time. Ericsson made the announcement by releasing a photo of a van and asking “What seats 8 comfortably, gets 20 miles per gallon and more than 2 gigabits per second?” “Today, it takes up the luggage space in a mini-van but, by 2020, it’ll fit nicely in your smartphone, watch or other wearable,” Ericsson stated. The tests are taking place with a vehicle because the radio unit is too large to carry around on its own. Once 5G bands are approved, however, the radio unit will be attached to a cell tower. Ericsson Peter Naucler (right) the test bed project manager for Ericsson’s radio development unit, and Hakan Andersson, Ericsson’s 5G strategic product manager, stand in front of a test vehicle. At far right is a 5G radio attached to the building. While the mobile tests have achieved 2Gbps, Ericsson said it has achieved 5Gbps at its development facility in Stockholm. The Sweden-based telecom giant said its 5G technology affords multipoint connectivity for increased wireless resilience to connecting mobile devices to multiple 5G radio sites, delivering several MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output) streams. Ericsson is performing live tests of its 5G networks in Stockholm and Plano, Texas, and its putting feelers out for mobile operators, eco-system partners and academia to try it. Using a van with a 5G transmitter/receiver, Ericsson is driving around the Swedish and U.S. test sites transmitting different sets of MIMO streams from different 5G radios. Ericsson “By doing that we increase the special separation between different MIMO streams and thereby improve performance of the systems,” said Peter Naucler, the test bed project manager for Ericsson’s radio development unit. Along with multiple upload and download links, the 5G technology boasts greater than 2Gbps throughput. Today’s LTE offers download speeds at up to 450Mbps using 60MHz of spectrum. Telecom providers are hoping regulators will set aside at least 100MHz of spectrum below 6GHz for 5G in the future. Ericsson A 5G mobile wireless radio attached to the side of a building in Stockholm. “Today, your LTE smartphone receives transmissions from one cell at a time, and many different techniques are used to ensure that you stay connected as you move between cells,” Ericsson said in a press release. “But, with smartphone subscriptions set to more than double, suggesting an eightfold increase in traffic by the end of 2020, today’s mobile technology alone won’t be sufficient to maintain high quality connections as traffic grows, while satisfying new challenging demands.” Related content news analysis Apple earnings: About that iPhone 'slump' in China Based on information from Thursday's earnings report, it seems that data pointing to an iPhone slump in China were over-baked. By Jonny Evans May 03, 2024 9 mins iMac iPhone Apple news Microsoft begins to phase out ‘classic’ Teams Microsoft is encouraging Teams customers to move to the new, faster version of the collaboration app; the older version will be switched off next year. By Matthew Finnegan May 03, 2024 3 mins Microsoft Teams Collaboration Software Productivity Software news analysis Apple confirms it will open up the iPad in Europe this fall The latest efforts to comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act mean developers can offer to side load apps to both iPhones and iPads in the EU. Apple has also taken steps to improve what it offers to smaller and non-commercial developers in the By Jonny Evans May 02, 2024 6 mins iPad Apple Mobile Apps news Udacity offers laid-off US workers free access to its courses for 30 days Sign-ups will be available over the next 30 days By Lucas Mearian May 02, 2024 4 mins Technology Industry IT Jobs IT Skills Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe