PRESS RELEASE: At China Unicom’s 5G-Advanced Action Plan launch conference, China Unicom and Huawei showcased the 5G-Advanced millimeter wave (mmWave) achievements that will enable 10 Gbps connectivity for enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and reliable low-altitude services.
During winter sports event in Harbin, their innovative mmWave solutions, including high- and low-band collaboration, were used to power a diverse array of services like 8K video streaming and low-altitude transportation for audiences, athletes, and members of the press. This lays a solid foundation for the local low-altitude economy and suggests a promising way forward for the development of 5G-Advanced.
In the Harbin Ice Hockey Stadium, China Unicom and Huawei employed 5G-Advanced mmWave technologies, including coordination with mmWave and sub-6 GHz 5G bands, to deliver 10 Gbps connectivity. The speed test showed a peak speed exceeding 10 Gbps, so fast that a 10 GB file could be downloaded in 10 seconds. This made it possible for the stadium to efficiently ensure multiple concurrent channels of smooth 8K HD broadcasting,
even if tens of thousands of people in the stadium can access the network at the same time to access live 1080p video streams.
Beyond the city’s sports venues, the mmWave innovation is stimulating the low-altitude economy by extending mobile connectivity from ground to low-altitude spaces. This has benefited everyone, from sports fans to China Unicom’s own network engineers. While performing an onsite maintenance, engineers received morale-boosting refreshments, sent by China Unicom via delivery drones. China Unicom and Huawei’s technological breakthroughs are accelerating the rollout of innovative services such as low-altitude logistics, sightseeing, and transportation, which are key to growing the digital economy.
David Li, President of Huawei’s 5G<E TDD Product Line, said: “5G-Advanced mmWave breakthroughs in the coordination with low bands and mobile connectivity in low-altitude spaces improve network performance for both major sporting events and the low-altitude economy. We will continue to work with China Unicom to bring mmWave to more scenarios and industries to create more value.”