Japan's SoftBank has partnered with ZTE to build a 5G test network site at Shiba-Daimon area in Tokyo. The two companies first announced the collaboration in June to trial 5G over sub-6GHz spectrum at 4.5GHz across.
For this trial, ZTE will provide 5G end-to-end network solutions specifically the 5G base stations and core network equipment. The vendor will work together with SoftBank to verify the performance of 5G technologies under real world conditions.
SoftBank aims to use the substantiative experiment for its 5G commercial services which are due to start around 2020, and will execute further experiments for 5G introductions based on the know-how accumulated by both parties.
SoftBank has implemented new radio interface to be adopted for 5G and Massive MIMO, and has scheduled experiments with multiple terminals in densely built buildings such as central Tokyo.
Meanwhile, SoftBank has planned experiments for actual use cases like enhanced mobile broadband communication and mobility verifications, etc.
ZTE said it has driven 5G technology verifications and experiments targeting for commercial deployments together with global operators like SoftBank.
