- The Nokia Networks system reaches speeds of up to 10Gbps
- Tech helps pave the way for 5G networks - the next level in mobile internet
- By comparison, the theoretical maximum for 4G networks is 42Mbps
- Such speeds mean full-length HD films could be downloaded in a second
At a summit in Boston, Nokia Networks has demonstrated a system that can deliver speeds of up to 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps).
This is 40 times faster than the current maximum speeds achievable on 4G and means full-length HD films could be downloaded in the blink of an eye.
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Nokia Networks has demonstrated a system that can deliver speeds of up to 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps). This is 40 times faster than the current maximum speeds achievable on 4G and means full-length HD films could be downloaded in the blink of an eye. And video calls could be made without any lag (stock image)
Such speeds could also pave the way for next-generation video and pictures on 8K - twice as clear as 4K and 16 times as clear as HD - as well as reduce the lag on video calls.
Nokia Networks teamed up with National Instruments (NI) to build what it's calling the fastest cellular technology ever tested. It sends data over a frequency of 73,000 MHz, or 73GHz.
Wavelengths in this band can be as small as millimetre, and are also known as millimetre wave or mmW and are currently used by radio astronomy, radars on aircraft and security scanners in airports, for example.
NOKIA'S SUPERFAST NETWORK
Nokia Networks teamed up with National Instruments (NI) to build what it's calling the fastest cellular technology ever tested.
It sends the data over a frequency of 73,000 MHz, also known as 73GHz.
Wavelengths in this band can be as small as millimetre, and it are also known as millimetre wave or mmW.
At a summit in Boston, Nokia Networks demonstrated its system can deliver speeds of up to 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps).
This is 40 times faster than the current maximum speeds achievable on 4G and means full-length HD films could be downloaded in the blink of an eye.
Such speeds could also pave the way for next-generation video and pictures including 8K which is twice as clear as 4K and 16 times as clear as HD.
By comparison, current mobile networks range between 700 MHz and 3,500 MHz, while the maximum theoretical speeds for 4G is 42Mbps.
The Nokia Networks system is 10 times faster than the current fastest fibre internet technology, including Google Fiber in the US.
It is also 25 per cent faster than similar technology demonstrated by Samsung earlier this year, which achieved peak speeds of 7.5Gbps.
While 4G networks speed up standard downloads to about 13 minutes, subscribers of these services would theoretically be able to download massive data files 'practically without limitation', said Samsung at the time.
This would lead to 'almost instantaneous access to games and 3D movies or the ability to stream ultra high-definition programmes in real-time'.
Although peak speeds are the maximum, and people would likely achieve slower speeds than this due to hardware or website restrictions, for instance.
This is a problem current mobile and broadband networks also experience.
Nokia demonstrated the technology at its annual Brooklyn 5G Summit, which this year was focused on using the spectrum above 6GHz.
The use of new spectrum bands is a key feature for future 5G networks because they could offer 'virtually zero' latency, or delay.
Latency on 4G is capable of between 40 and 60 milliseconds, which is low but is not immediate and doesn't provide a real-time response.
World's wireless industry meets to discuss 5G network (related)
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Nokia Networks's system sends the data over a frequency of 73GHz. Wavelengths in this band can be as small as millimetre, and it are also known as millimetre wave or mmW. By comparison, current networks (mast pictured) range between 700 MHz to 3,500 MHz, while the maximum theoretical speed for 4G is 42Mbps
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The Nokia Networks system is 10 times faster than the current fastest fibre internet technology, including Google Fiber in the US. It is also 25 per cent faster than similar technology demonstrated by Samsung earlier this year, which achieved peak speeds of 7.5Gbps. The Samsung S6 is pictured
Zero latency is key when playing games on a phone, for example, meaning the on-screen character responds immediately after the control is pressed.
WHAT IS 5G AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
5G is the name given to the next generation of mobile networks. It will be the faster successor to the current 4G.
Nokia Networks has demonstrated speeds of up to 10Gbps, while Samsung recently achieved 7.5Gbps during tests.
These breakthroughs are key to the development of a 5G network, and run on high levels of the spectrum.
Wavelengths in this band can be as small as millimetre, and it is also known as millimetre wave or mmW. These can handle fast speeds and offer 'virtually zero latency'.
By comparison, current networks range between 700 MHz to 3,500 MHz, while the maximum theoretical speeds for 4G is 42Mbps and latency is between 40 and 60 milliseconds.
Such high-frequency wavebands have previously deemed unsuitable for mobile networks.
But they have a limited distance, are easily blocked by buildings and walls, and require specific transceivers capable of providing 5G to a wide area, via a phone mast.
Phones can't currently receive signals and wavelengths on such a high frequency, so new technology will need to be added to these devices.
5G networks also rely on a large number of new phone masts being installed for the higher, shorter, signals to travel over long distances.
It's also needed to handle the vast range of connected devices, in addition to mobiles, including cars, smart homes and augmented reality apps.
Such high-frequency wavebands have previously been deemed unsuitable for mobile networks.
They have a limited distance, are easily blocked by buildings and walls, and require specific transceivers capable of providing 5G to a wide area, via a phone mast.
Phones can't currently receive signals and wavelengths on such a high frequency, so new technology will need to be added to these devices.
5G networks also rely on a large number of new phone masts being installed for the higher, shorter, signals to travel over long distances.
And this has led to warnings from analysts that faster downloads could cause larger bills, and raised health fears that new high powered broadcasts will fuel so-called 'electronic smog'.
Lauri Oksanen, vice president of research and technology at Nokia Networks, said: 'At Nokia we strive to expand the human potential of the connected world.
'5G mobile network speeds as high as 10Gbps and with extremely low latency are a driving force for massive mobile broadband and totally new applications in the future.'
But despite the extra costs for infrastructure and technology 5G will add to businesses, it could also benefit the economy.
Denis Keseris, patent attorney at intellectual property firm Withers & Rogers, said: '5G will require some degree of global cooperation in order to design a standard capable of reliable communication.
'This is going to take time, but rather than waiting for the outcome, some innovators are already developing concepts and technology that may find their way into the 5G standard.
Such wavelengths are currently used by radio astronomy (pictured), radars on aircraft and security scanners in airports, for example. But they have previously been deemed unsuitable for mobile networks because they have a limited distance, are easily blocked by buildings, and require specific transceivers
Nokia Networks recently completed its first live testing of High Speed Cell FACH technology. When using apps, phones send and receive small amounts of data, and Nokia's technology is designed to handle these so-called 'data packets' more efficiently. This increases browsing speeds, power savings and response times
'Investing time and energy in speculative innovation is obviously a gamble, but the scale of the 5G opportunity could make it worthwhile.'
Nokia Networks is also leading the way in developing battery saving technology. Last year, it made a significant breakthrough by boosting battery life by up to 49 per cent.
WHAT IS HIGH SPEED CELL FACH?
The software is designed to help operators handle data sent over 3G networks.
When running applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter, as well as browsing the web, sending emails and using services such as FaceTime, phones often send and receive small amounts of data.
These are known as packets, and are typically just a few hundreds of bytes or a few kbytes.
High Speed Cell FACH is designed to handle these small data packets more efficiently than other software.
This makes apps run faster, and also means they use less energy over the course of a day, for example.
The technology also means operators can boost the speed and quality of their services, and support a higher number of phones on their networks.
More technical details can be found on Nokia's originalwhite paper.
The Finnish-based firm saw these results during its first live trial of a software known as High Speed Cell FACH on a 3G network.
When running applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter, as well as browsing the web, sending emails and using services such as FaceTime, phones often send and receive small amounts of data, known as packets, of just a few hundreds of bytes or a few kbytes.
High Speed Cell FACH is designed to handle these small data packets more efficiently than other software.
This makes apps run faster, and also means they use less energy over the course of a day.
The technology additionally means operators can boost the speed and quality of their services, and support a higher number of phones on their networks.
According to the recent Nokia tests, the 3G software boosts speeds and network response times by up to 65 per cent, and leads to up to 20 per cent faster browsing.
Users also saw power savings of up to 49 per cent, which meant their battery life lasted almost twice as long - depending on which applications were being used.
The lowest power saving was nine per cent.
The tests were run on the commercial 3G/HSPA network of a major European operator - although Nokia did not reveal which operator it was.
Testers also used devices fitted with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors that already support High Speed Cell FACH.
The tests were run on a commercial 3G/HSPA network using devices fitted with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. Results revealed 50% power savings, when certain apps were used, 65% faster response times, and 21% faster browsing. Ping relates to networks sending signals to a web-enabled device
High Speed Cell FACH is a capability that Qualcomm Technologies already supports on its latest Snapdragon processors.
These processors are seen in high-end, flagship phones including the Nexus 6, Samsung Galaxy Note Edge and Note 4, and Amazon Fire HDX 8.9 (2014).
Nokia said the live network tests 'produced substantial performance gains that exceeded Qualcomm's expectations', including beating previous laboratory test results.
But it is not known when it will be widely available to networks and customers.
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