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Sprint, Nokia to Demo 5G NR Connection over Dual Mode-capable Massive MIMO

Sprint, Nokia to Demo 5G NR Connection over Dual Mode-capable Massive MIMO Image Credit: Yuktalavannya/Thefastmode.com

Sprint is partnering with Nokia to show the first live demonstration in the U.S. of a 5G New Radio (NR) connection over a dual mode-capable Massive MIMO radio.

Shown at Sprint's booth during Mobile World Congress Americas (Sep 12 – Sep 14), the companies will use Sprint's 2.5 GHz spectrum, Nokia's commercial AirScale Base Station and Massive MIMO Active Antenna, and a VIAVI TM500 5G test device emulator.

The demonstration highlights Sprint's approach using its 2.5 GHz spectrum and Massive MIMO technology to deploy mobile 5G in the first half of 2019. The live 5G NR system connection using a Massive MIMO Active Antenna can support up to 120 MHz of spectrum in 2.5 GHz.

The Nokia AirScale Massive MIMO Active Antenna is expected to deliver up to 3 Gbps peak downlink throughput for a single sector over 5G and LTE simultaneously using Sprint's spectrum. This enables Sprint to offer both 4G LTE and 5G on the same radio to continue meeting its customers' demand for unlimited data and high-bandwidth applications. 5G will enable a great experience using 4K and 8K video streaming, and applications such as HD Virtual Reality.

Dr. John Saw, CTO, Sprint
Sprint has long collaborated with Nokia on its Massive MIMO and 5G innovations, and we're excited by this first live 5G NR system connection to help us bring mobile 5G to the U.S. market in the first half of 2019. 

Marc Rouanne, President of Mobile Networks, Nokia
The significant cell capacity Massive MIMO offers is why the technology is playing a central role in 5G, which will allow Sprint to provide increased coverage, reliability and speed across its nationwide network.

Author

Ray is a news editor at The Fast Mode, bringing with him more than 10 years of experience in the wireless industry.

For tips and feedback, email Ray at ray.sharma(at)thefastmode.com, or reach him on LinkedIn @raysharma10, Facebook @1RaySharma

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