The new facility is the result of a previous agreement between the two companies to test network solutions and technologies
Nokia and Telefónica Germany have announced the launch of a 5G innovation cluster in Berlin.
The new 5G cluster incorporates five sites in Telefónica’s cellular network in Berlin-Friedrichshain. These sites, equipped with Nokia 5G Airscale radio and Wavence microwave technology, will be used in the next few months primarily to test and measure the performance and coverage of initial 5G services in a dense urban area, the German carrier said.
The launch of this 5G cluster in Berlin follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed earlier this year, in which both companies agreed to test network solutions and technologies. The innovation cluster in Berlin provides a platform to test the performance of Nokia’s 5G technology under real-world conditions and trial specific services with subscribers in Telefónica Germany’s network, according to the companies.
“With our joint Innovation Cluster in Berlin, we push the further development of 5G forward together. Nokia’s portfolio will enable testing the newest technology to keep moving forward fast with 5G in our network,” said Cayetano Carbajo Martín, CTO of Telefónica Germany.
“The insights we will gain from this cluster, located in a dense urban environment, are going to help both companies in preparing for 5G roll-outs and developing new services for Telefónica’s subscribers,” said Detlev Otto, customer team head for Telefónica Germany at Nokia.
Before being deployed in Telefónica’s live network, all equipment was tested successfully end-to-end in the company’s laboratory in Munich. Nokia’s Wavence microwave solution showed data rates of 2 Gbps with dual0band technology at 18 and 80 GHz, which can be software-upgraded to 10 Gbit/s, Telefónica Germany said. The tests also included carrier aggregation on the Nokia AirScale radio access technology.
TIM inks 5G deal with Sony Mobile
In other 5G news, Italian mobile operator TIM and Sony Mobile have signed an agreement to accelerate the development of the 5G technology.
Under the terms of the agreement, TIM will support Sony Mobile in all the development phases of the product for the Italian market, making available to the project the ecosystem of partners in the innovation hubs, its technical know-how and the access to TIM’s 5G test facilities.
“We are very pleased to be part of this great initiative around 5G by TIM, actively contributing to 5G Innovation Hub initiative that represents for our first global showcase for 5G. Our partnership together with TIM is to enhance both the business and technical collaboration towards a joint commercial launch of 5G devices and services, as well as the innovative development of 5G and IoT both for consumer and enterprise markets” said Tibor Wagner, director of Central and Southeast Europe at Sony Mobile.
TIM has recently announced an agreement with LG focused on the development of 5G technology. That partnership aims to enhance the innovation capacity of the companies, as they anticipate the joint launch of 5G services and terminals in Italy, TIM said. Under the terms of the deal, TIM will support LG in the development of 5G solutions for the Italian market, providing the innovation hub partner ecosystem as well as the technological know-how. LG will support TIM by providing the technical support necessary for the development and testing of 5G solutions.
