SEOUL -- SK Telecom and Nokia Networks together demonstrated Nokia Networks' cmWave technology, setting a new milestone that adds momentum to the standardization of 5G* technologies. In a joint 5G trial in South Korea, the two companies achieved 19.1 Gbps transmission speed over the air using 256 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), 8x8 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) transmission and 400 MHz of bandwidth. This initiative underlines the leadership of both Nokia Networks and SK Telecom in developing the framework for superb 5G-based value propositions for users and fostering future service innovation. It also showcases the potential of 5G to transmit massive amounts of data in the blink of an eye, which would, for example, enable a user to download a full-HD movie in a matter of seconds.
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Marc Rouanne, Executive Vice President, Mobile Broadband, Nokia Networks, said: "Together with SK Telecom, one of our long-standing customers in Korea, we have achieved a unique distinction demonstrating that Nokia is at the forefront of 5G-related initiatives. Moreover, this engagement also underpins our vision to be recognized as the enabler of 5G in Korea and across the globe, a goal that is the driving force behind all our R&D efforts in this area."
What Nokia demoed was a 15 Ghz system in an indoor lab condition at a very close distance, a far cry from what Samsung demoed off a van driving at 62 mph on 28 Ghz last year. While the 15 Ghz system might be deployed in Europe, it has no relevance in Korea or in the US, where FCC already picked 28 and 39 Ghz as the spectrum of US 5G service.
Then why is SK Telecom holding this kind of tech demos? Not to evaluate Nokia's technology, but to pursuade Nokia to commit to Korean 5G standard and supply compatible equipment to get the global suppliers line up behind the Korean 5G standard.