Airtel Conducts 5G Trial In 700 MHz Band In Partnership With Nokia Airtel has been allotted test spectrum in multiple bands by the Department of Telecommunications for the validation of 5G technology and use cases
By Shrabona Ghosh •
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Bharti Airtel on Thursday, announced it has successfully conducted India's first 5G trial in the 700 MHz band in partnership with Nokia. The demonstration was conducted on the outskirts of Kolkata. This was the first 5G trial in eastern India.
Leveraging the enhanced propagation characteristics of the 700 MHz band, Airtel and Nokia were able to achieve high speed wireless broadband network coverage of 40 km between two 3GPP standard 5G sites in real life conditions. Airtel used equipment from Nokia's 5G portfolio, which included Nokia AirScale radios and standalone (SA) core.
Airtel has been allotted test spectrum in multiple bands by the Department of Telecommunications for the validation of 5G technology and use cases, said a statement.
"Back in 2012, Airtel launched India's first 4G service in Kolkata. Today, we are delighted to conduct India's first 5G demo in the coveted 700 MHz band in the city to showcase the power of this technology standard. We believe that with the right pricing of 5G spectrum in the upcoming auctions, India can unlock the digital dividend and build a truly connected society with broadband for all," said Randeep Singh Sekhon, CTO of Bharti Airtel.
"5G deployment using 700 MHz spectrum is helping communications service providers across the world to cost-effectively provide mobile broadband in remote areas. Nokia is at the forefront in the development of the global 5G ecosystem," said Naresh Asija, VP and head of Bharti CT, Nokia.
Airtel is spearheading 5G in India. Earlier this year, Airtel demonstrated India's first 5G experience over a live 4G network. It also demonstrated India's first rural 5G trial as well as the first Cloud gaming experience on 5G. As part of #5GforBusiness, Airtel has joined forces with leading global consulting and technology companies and brands to test 5G based solutions, added the statement.
