5G Speed Record

Verizon, Qualcomm, and Ericsson hit a record 1.07Gbps download rate with LTE hardware.

22:15 23 August 2017

A group of researchers working for Qualcomm, Verizon and Ericsson have achieved gigabit LTE speeds using commercially available hardware. During their test, they were able to hit a record 1.07Gbps download rate with LTE hardware using Qualcomm Snapdragon X20 chipset and Verizon spectrum at a controlled Ericsson lab. They said they were able to access 12 simultaneous LTE streams and pull data at a gigabit rate through licensed commercial bands.

 

The news should help Qualcomm in its efforts to push LTE as a viable wireless broadband standard for the near future even though other carriers are trying to build out 5G broadband networks.

 

Mike Finley, senior VP and president of Qualcomm North America, said: Mike Finley, senior VP and president of Qualcomm North America, said: "This is an important milestone on the path to 5G that will allow for better average speeds for all users and will drive new and exciting consumer experiences,"

 

The report could prove to be crucial as many realise that 5G could take more than just a couple of years to be launched. In June, researchers estimated that by 2022, 5G coverage would only be available to about a quarter of North America mobile subscribers.