Nokia and Optus reaches new 5G levels using Samsung
Nokia and Optus have achieved the world's first 3 Components Carrier Aggregation 5G Standalone data call using a commercial Samsung headset in Australia.
Nokia says 3 Component (3CC) data sessions were established using a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra smartphone and Nokia's 5G AirScale portfolio on Optus' 5G network to achieve superior speeds.
It's the first time this has been done using a commercial smartphone.
Nokia Oceania chief technology officer Dr Robert Joyce says Nokia is delighted to bring its 5G technology to Australia.
"This market-leading 5G network enhancement provided by Nokia will allow Optus to continue to deliver superior network performance to its customers," he says.
Once commercially deployed, Nokia says the solution will enhance the experience of Optus' customers with superior speeds and performance. It says this will pave the way for advanced 5G use cases such as AR and VR.
Nokia has prioritised the development of 5G Carrier Aggregation (CA) technology across sub-6 GHz 5G spectrum.
The company used its latest commercial AirScale Baseband and radio portfolio powered by its Reefshark chipset over Optus' commercial network for the trial. It combined the FDD band (2100MHz) with the TDD band (2300 MHz + 3500 MHz) using CA technology.
5G CA allows compatible 5G smartphones to receive multiple 5G frequency bands in parallel, enabling higher data rates, increased coverage and superior network capacity while maximising the spectral efficiency of 5G networks.
By combining spectrum from different frequency bands, Nokia says providers can make optimal use of their 5G spectrum, enhancing coverage and network capacity, providing higher data rates, increased range, and superior indoor performance.
Optus vice president of networks Lambo Kanagaratnam says the company is always looking at ways to further optimise its network performance to benefit its customers.
"Once available commercially, this 3 NR Carrier operation will enable customers to achieve a higher 5G download speed at more places improving their overall 5G experience," he says.
"Our Samsung Galaxy S22 customers will soon be the first to benefit from this technology enhancement with other handsets to follow shortly after.
Samsung Electronics Australia mobile experience division vice president Garry McGregor says Samsung Galaxy devices reimagine how products, people and organisations can connect through mobile technology.
"By championing innovation, we work with our partners like Optus and Nokia to accelerate how the industry can deliver new experiences and visionary ideas for our customers," he says.
This announcement follows Nokia, China Mobile, and MediaTek achieving a new 5G Standalone speed record using Carrier Aggregation technology in Shanghai in January this year. Nokia also achieved the first 5G carrier aggregation call in standalone architecture with Taiwan Mobile in August last year.
