Charter Communications, which operates an MVNO based on Verizon’s network, appears poised to test 5G systems based on a recent filing with the Federal Communications Commission.
While Charter didn’t respond to a request for details, FCC documentation indicates the company will be working with Ericsson to trial experimental radio technology at dozens of sites in Florida.
Last month Charter put in an application to test “experimental radio services,” which the FCC approved on May 11. According to the filing, Charter will use frequencies ranging from 27.5 GHz to 28.35 GHz, so called millimeter wave spectrum, which can deliver bigly throughput, but comes with challenging propagation characteristics.
Charter will use 25 pieces of equipment delivered by Swedish telecom vendor Ericsson, and has received permission to operate in some 53 locations including Orlando, St. Cloud, Kissimmee and Ocala.
Charter’s Principal Engineer Craig Patten, who is listed as the primary contact in the FCC docs, didn’t immediately respond to a request for more information on Friday morning.
Charter and Comcast both operate MVNOs using Verizon spectrum. The companies recently said that they have agreed to “explore working together in a number of potential operational areas in the wireless space, including: creating common operating platforms; technical standards development and harmonization; device forward and reverse logistics; and emerging wireless technology platforms.”
Comcast and Charter said for one year, they will “work only together” in commercial arrangements or other “material transactions” with national mobile network operators. Read more about that here.
The FCC application comes on the heels of Charter CEO Tom Rutledge announcing that the operator would pursue 5G-related field trials during a February earnings call.
