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• AMTA welcomes new 5G mmWave testing standards to support public trust and confidence
  in Business Telecommunications
  By David M Williams

  The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has thrown its weight behind the publication of two new international standards for 5G electric and magnetic fields (EMF).

  The Standards were developed to provide a central platform for EMF compliance testing of all 5G mmWave devices and were jointly achieved by a Committee of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association (IEEE SA) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) chaired by Australia’s Mike Wood (pictured).

  AMTA CEO Louise Hyland said the new 5G mmWave testing standards are a key step in the 5G technology roadmap for Australia.

  “The opportunities to leverage the 5G ecosystem as a key part of how we live and respond to challenges of our time are boundless. So, promoting public trust and confidence in mobile networks, devices, and services with the help of these new standards is crucial,” she said.

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  “A top priority for AMTA and its members is to ensure compliance with Australia’s safety standards and, as part of that, AMTA remains committed to assisting Government to ensure the latest compliance approaches, based on international best practice, are incorporated into new regulations.”

  “It is important that we continue to support high levels of public confidence in the health and safety protocols around Australia’s mobile telecommunications networks, including 5G, and the public can be assured that our members will continue to deploy and operate their networks in accordance with the very latest safety standards and scientific analysis.”

  International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Chairman TC106 Mike Wood said, “The new IEC/IEEE 63195 standards for 5G EMF are intended to meet the fast-paced advances in mobile technology and help consumers feel confident that 5G technology is matched with the state-of-the-art EMF safety testing standards.”

  “AMTA appreciates and values the work of the IEEE SA and IEC to match 5G technology with the highest safety standards, and we look forward to working with the Government at all levels and our members to realise and embrace the full contribution of 5G to industries and communities,” Hyland said.
• LitePoint and Sivers Semiconductors improve coverage with innovative 5G mmWave technology
  in 5G
  By Chris Coughlan

  LitePoint, a provider of wireless test solutions, announced a technology development partnership with Sivers for its 5G millimetre wave (mmWave) Antenna in Package (AiP) products. LitePoint’s versatile IQgig-5G non-signaling test solution provides Sivers with a turnkey solution to quickly get RF measurement results.

  Over the next three years, 5G wireless traffic is expected to grow exponentially, LitePoint says. Mobile carriers are adding millimetre wave infrastructure to meet the demand for more capacity. Sivers’s AiP designs simplify millimeter wave designs by lowering power dissipation and reducing cost, they claim.

  Sivers says its ECLIPSE3741 is a highly integrated 5G beamformer phased array Antenna in Package (AiP) module. It combines multiple Sivers RFSOI beamforming front end integrated circuits with a 16 element (4x4) antenna array. Covering FR2 band, n260 from 37.0 to 41.0 GHz, it offers exceptionally high linear output power, efficiency, and extreme integration. This AiP module is designed to enable λ/2 wavelength antenna lattice spacing when tiled together to support higher power applications. It has also been extensively optimised for heat management, Sivers states.

  LitePoint says its IQgig-5G is a fully integrated, versatile multiband millimetre wave (mmWave) non-signaling test solution and the first of its kind to support all 5G FR2 frequencies within the 23-45GHz frequency range. All signal generation, analysis, processing, and RF front-end switching are self-contained inside a single chassis.

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  The one-box design makes it simple to set up, use and maintain in order to achieve reliable measurements. The test system enables small cell waveform generation and analysis for 5G radio technologies, provides an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) and allows for real-time RF parametric analysis for small cell products, LitePoint notes.

  “The Sivers team is excited to bring a new approach to millimetre wave designs using our RFSOI technology delivering an end-to-end solution from transceivers to the air interface,” said Sivers Semiconductors VP of engineering Frank Lane. “By working with LitePoint, we can rapidly characterise the beamforming on our phase array AiP modules, and simplify test support for our OEM customers as they move into production.”

  Sivers’s integration with AiP modules enable greater flexibility and lower cost for mobile carriers to deploy 5G millimetre infrastructure products. The collaboration with LitePoint will support and accelerate the deployment of this integral product, advancing the 5G infrastructure build out of 5G mmWave, they say.

  “Sivers’s approach to simplifying Antenna in Package designs mirrors LitePoint’s approach to simplify test and characterisation,” said LitePoint director of strategic business development Rex Chen. “We are pleased to work with Sivers to support the development and deployment of their mmWave AiP technology to the 5G infrastructure both in product design and manufacturing test.”
• TPG Telecom and Samsung complete 5G virtualised RAN trials with 26GHz mmWave
  in 5G
  By Chris Coughlan

  TPG Telecom and Samsung Electronics Australia have expanded their 5G mmWave technology collaboration to more trial sites after successfully completing the first 5G virtualised, radio access network (vRAN) trials with 26GHz mmWave in Australia.

  The companies said that the vRAN trials saw a throughput speed of 2.3Gbps using 400MHz of TPG Telecom’s 26GHz spectrum holdings and Samsung’s 5G mmWave Compact Macro device.

  TPG Telecom and Samsung were also able to achieve 4Gbps of cell throughput using MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input, multiple output) technology which allows multiple devices to more efficiently coordinate when they communicate with one another, the companies stated.

  As part of the vRAN trials, Samsung and TPG Telecom successfully tested different line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios to simulate the real-life user experience when connected to 5G networks. The trials also used the reflecting properties of mmWave to achieve a steady rate above 1Gbps user throughput in NLOS scenarios up to 1km away.

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  The trials pave the way for new mobile and fixed wireless applications for TPG Telecom as the high-powered, lightweight and compact Samsung device can easily be installed on the sides of buildings, as well as utility poles, for rapid 5G network deployments, the companies said.

  “At TPG Telecom we are focused on building the smartest 5G mobile network in Australia and these results show we are on track to achieve just that,” said TPG Telecom executive general manager mobile and fixed networks Barry Kezik.

  “By combining our spectrum assets with smart engineering, we are able to achieve far greater spectral efficiency than what we have seen from others in the industry. This is a great result and shows that innovative engineering and smart network design can help extend our reach, while also delivering great speeds and an excellent experience for customers.”

  The trials were achieved at TPG Telecom’s Innovation Lab in Glebe, Sydney which opened in July as a hub for TPG Telecom and its partners to drive product and technology innovation, including network virtualisation and emerging 5G applications for industry.

  Having successfully completed the initial trials, TPG Telecom and Samsung said they will now expand the scope of their technology collaboration.

  Commenting on the successful trial, Samsung Electronics Australia vice president mobile division Garry McGregor said, “The goal of this trial was to test the capabilities of Samsung’s 5G solutions, including its cutting-edge 5G vRAN, in a range of settings. We have now successfully achieved that, which presents us with the exciting opportunity of continuing to elevate and support 5G network infrastructure in this country. Successfully deploying and conducting the trial even with the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, were a real achievement and show the commitment from both TPG and Samsung to delivering best in class 5G infrastructure.”

  It's refreshing to see another 5G vendor having some success in this market, filling the void left by the banning of Huawei and ZTE in this market. Ericsson and Nokia have been dominating since the Chinese vendors were excluded. With Open RAN and vRAN the mobile operators have the opportunity to cherry-pick different solutions from other vendors at relatively low integration risk.

  This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 12 November 2021.
• Optus has seen 4.5Gbps 5G mmWave speeds in its initial testing, and is calling its version 'Optus 5G Max'
  in Telecoms & NBN
  By Alex Zaharov-Reutt

  If you want to experience 5G at maximum speeds, you'll need to do so using a smartphone capable of accessing 5G mmWave networks. In Australia, the only phone that's capable, for now, is the Google Pixel 6 Pro, although that will surely change in 2022 and beyond.

  Optus MD of Marketing and Revenue, Matt Williams, has written a blog post at the Optus Leaders Insights page, titled: "Taking 5G to the Max with mmWave".

  Williams starts off by noting mmWave is tech talk for "ultra-fast, mega-capacity 5G spectrum," and says with first mmWave capable device launching into Australia this month, this "heralds a new era in 5G technology."

  Explaining "5G mmWave technology ups the ante offering incredible speeds, massive bandwidth and enormous capacity," Williams notes it is "the next generation of 5G, the one that will pave the way in unlocking a multitude of those sci-fi movie use cases, and we’re calling it Optus 5G Max."

  {loadposition alex08}Adding that Optus 5G Max will work alongside our existing 5G network, Williams as "what’s the difference?".

  We're told 5G Max sits in a new league of its own, where we "shift from fast 5G speeds to the fastest 5G speeds."

  Optus has been testing its 5G Max service for the last six months and"really pushing it to its limits to achieve the best results for our customers in anticipation of device launches."

  And the initial testing results are in, with download speeds over 4.5 Gbps reached "in a commercial environment," while speeds greater than 5 Gbps were achieved "in a lab using a fixed wireless modem."

  Excitingly, Williams states "It’s like pushing the “nitro” button on your top-of-the-line sports car to deliver a great leap forward in speed - and we’re only at the very beginning of our rollout."

  Williams made no mention of upload speeds, but in Telstra's test of its George St Telstra store delivering 3.6Gpbs down and 140Mbps up, we can only hope Optus has achieved similarly high upload speeds, too.

  Of course, we're yet to see how fast speeds are when hundreds, thousands and tens of thousands of people and more are using the Optus 5G Max network with mmWave capable devices, but Williams says "with greater network responsiveness, massive capacity and faster than fast speeds, consumers and businesses will see an entire new world of use cases brought to life. Yes, 5G Max will be the catalyst in enabling the driverless cars and remote surgery we hear so much about, but it will also make everyday tasks faster."

  So, what might those real world speeds be like?

  {loadposition alex08}Willams explains: "The average Australian consumer today experiences network speeds in the range of 25-100Mbps via 4G mobile or nbn. With 5G Max we could be looking at speeds 40-80 times faster. In simple terms these speeds would provide the ability to download a two-hour feature film in seconds, rather than minutes. Or for the avid gamer, the reduced latency 5G Max delivers could be the difference between virtual life and death. Buffering? What’s that? As streaming 4K videos in HD on-the-go will become the norm.

  "As it matures, Optus 5G Max will provide the ecosystem for everyday Australians to stream, share and produce the content they want, when they want. Whether in a stadium packed with thousands of other spectators or just at home.

  "For business 5G Max will be transformative, creating the right environment to connect and collaborate seamlessly with colleagues across the country through augmented and virtual reality. For the thousands of businesses who send, receive, and play enormous files each day 5G Max will mean less time spent downloading files and more time spent innovating.

  "And in the enterprise space, at scale, 5G Max will deliver endless possibilities. It will enable next generation factory automation, remote surveillance and remote operations thanks to real-time processing enabled by the low latency of 5G Max.

  "At Optus we’re unlocking an even faster 5G network for our customers with 5G Max. We have some exciting things in the pipeline and can’t wait for our customers to feel the benefits of this latest 5G technology for themselves.

  "The future is faster with Optus 5G Max."

  So, with the first 5G mmWave device launching in Australia next week, and many more mmWave-capable devices to come, 5G's ongoing rollout will hopefully happen even faster, with ever more 5G mmWave to be rolled out around Australia ever faster, too.

  Over at its 5G page, Optus has introduced 5G Max, and states:

  Introducing Optus 5G Max – unlocking an even faster Optus 5G Network experience.

  So, what’s the real difference between Optus 5G and Optus 5G Max? Optus 5G Max is in a new league and spectrum of its own called millimetre wave or mmWave. Here the network shifts into a higher gear for super-fast speeds, massive capacity, and greater network responsiveness."

  Faster speeds
  With ultra-high frequency, the Optus 5G Max network can achieve wireless speeds that were once only possible with fibre optic cables. How fast is that? Reach speeds of up to 4 Gigabits per second that supports high bandwidth uses like 8K video streaming, even across large homes and offices within Optus 5G Max coverage areas.

  Massive capacity
  Optus 5G Max transports more data for more users to enjoy. Think of it as the difference between a single-lane road versus a six-lane expressway. That means many devices can connect at once and everyone still enjoys a great network experience.

  Greater responsiveness
  As the number of devices relying on real-time access to the Cloud explodes, responsiveness is essential. When using a capable Optus 5G Max device, the lightning-fast technology of Optus 5G Max is perfect for things like gaming, where a faster game is always a good game.

  Optus reminds us its 5G Max mmWave is starting to roll out in select areas in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

  Those select areas as of October 20, 2021 are:

  Site Name and State:

  • Huntingdale, VIC
  • Brunswick North, VIC
  • Fitzroy, VIC
  • Abbotsford, VIC
  • Campbellfield, NSW
  • Kings Cross, NSW
  • Rushcutters Bay, NSW
  • Darlinghurst West, NSW
  • North Ryde, NSW
  • Surry Hills, NSW
  • YOS Brisbane Flagship IBC, QLD
  • Strathpine, QLD

  We're also reminded: "Actual speeds and performance will vary The actual speed you will experience depends on a number of factors including congestion, placement of the 5G modem, distance from the 5G tower, local conditions, hardware, software, the data source or destination and general internet traffic."
• Telstra records 3.6Gbps download speeds and 140Mbps upload speeds on its mmWave 5G network using the new Pixel 6 Pro
  in Telecoms & NBN
  By Alex Zaharov-Reutt

  At a 5G mmWave site in Telstra's George St store, Telstra's head of Technology Discovery and Validation, Paul Milford, has achieved speeds of 3.622Gpbs down and 140Mbps up, and while we don't yet know what speeds tens or even hundreds of thousands of people with future 5G mmWave phones will be getting, this is still an impressive achievement.

  Paul Milford is Telstra's CoE Lead - Technology Discovery and Validation, and he's not one for mmWavering when it comes to taking advantage of the latest technologies, but instead, surfing the mmWaves to the tune of mighty fine multi-gigabit speeds.

  Using one of Google's brand new Pixel 6 Pro smartphones, which are available for pre-order now and which are available from October 29 onwards, Milford shared a screenshot in his LinkedIn post that shows a 3.622Gbps download speed, and importantly, an upload speed of 140Mbps.

  Upload speeds in the modern era are just as important as download speeds, with the amount of upload bandwidth making a difference to the quality of the image people see when you connect with them via Zoom (although the quality of your computer's webcam or device's front facing camera makes a difference, too), but it also determines how smooth remote control of other computers feels, how smooth remote working feels, how fast your devices upload and backup data to the cloud, and more.

  So the 3.6Gbps download speed is fantastic, and a 140Mbps upload speed is great to see, too.

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  Of course, it will be fascinating to see what speeds on mmWave networks are achieved once hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, and eventually hundreds of thousands and millions of people are connecting to mmWave 5G networks, but just as 2G, 3G and 4G networks and devices delivered ever faster ways to transfer data, so too will 5G be receiving all kinds of updates to ensure ever faster speeds, connectivity and capacity, too .

  Indeed, Telstra reminds us that mmWave is the next stage in the evolution of 5G, Telstra's or otherwise, and that "5G already dramatically improves the capacity of the network, but mmWave multiplies that by a factor of ten and can deliver even faster speeds."

  We also reminded: "mmWave signal only travels a few hundred metres from a cell, so it is best suited for areas of intensive customer demand such as transport hubs, shopping districts and even sports stadiums or tourism hotspots, such as the Sydney Opera House at New Year’s Eve. mmWave can allow tens of thousands of people at such locations to connect, stream or upload photographs simultaneously."

  So, how many mmWave 5G sites are already installed in Australia, with that figure clearly not enough for Apple to launch its iPhone 13 Pro models with mmWave 5G capabilities in Australia as yet, but which they'll presumably be ready to go with in 2022 and the iPhone 14, and which Google certainly was ready to go with on its Pixel 6 Pro model?

  Telstra explains it has "already begun rolling out mmWave 5G with 65 sites currently live and plans to nearly triple that number before the end of the calendar year."

  In addition, among others, Telstra currently has mmWave sites live providing coverage around the following locations:

  • The QVB, Opera House and Darling Harbour in Sydney,
  • The MCG and Flinders Lane in Melbourne
  • And Fortitude Valley in Brisbane.

  So, to catch the mmWave, you'll need an mmWave capable 5G phone, and in Australia, that is the Google Pixel 6 Pro.

  Clearly, however, we'll see plenty more mmWave 5G in the months to come as mmWave 5G is rolled out ever more widely, not only by Telstra, but by Optus and Vodafone too, although we expect Telstra will be leading the race to have the widest 5G mmWave footprint first, as is the case with its 5G, 4G and 3G networks.

  Here's Telstra's Exchange blog post on 50 of its young engineers testing the 5G mmWave network. 

  So, the future is mmWaving to you, and with one of the new Google Pixel 6 Pro models, in an mmWave equipped location, you can mmWave right back!