5G expansion is pushing ahead. As of today, selected parts of Lucerne, Bern, Geneva and Zurich have joined Burgdorf in being connected live to the network on a test frequency. 5G technology is developing at breakneck speed. Urs Schaeppi, CEO Swisscom, says: “One year ago, in cooperation with Ericsson, we presented the first laboratory applications. Today, we are taking the next step by presenting a 5G smartphone prototype for the first time in real conditions on our 5G network.” By the end of 2019, Swisscom plans to gradually roll out 5G to 60 cities and communities across Switzerland. Arun Bansal, President Ericsson Europe and Latin America, says: “Ericsson, as a strategic partner, is proud to support Swisscom with its ambitious expansion of the 5G network. Together, Ericsson and Swisscom are kick-starting the 5G network rollout in Switzerland and preparing industries for 5G use cases that will benefit the whole economy."
The devices also reflect this development: Just one year ago, 5G test devices still weighed a ton and measured one cubic metre. Now, for the first time, Swisscom is presenting compact 5G devices: a smartphone prototype by Qualcomm and a mobile hotspot of Taiwanese manufacturer, Wistron NeWeb Corporation. Swisscom successfully connected the two devices to its live 5G network in Lucerne outside a laboratory environment. Cristiano Amon, President Qualcomm Incorporated, remarks: “Today, we are proud to have delivered this live 5G connection with Swisscom, WNC and Ericsson. This is the first 5G NR OTA connection worldwide between devices and a live operator network using 3.5 GHz spectrum, marking an important milestone for the mobile industry in Europe to help enable OEMs and operators to deliver 5G networks and devices in the first half of 2019."
”This modem, or chipset, will soon be inside the first 5G smartphones. Urs Schaeppi, CEO Swisscom, underscores the importance: “We are committed to maintaining our technology lead. The future of Switzerland as an innovation hub hinges on the network.” The 5G-ready smartphone is not yet on the market. Experts expect to see the first 5G smartphones coming to the market in summer 2019. Initial industrial applications have been developed that reveal the potential of 5G.
Looking to the future, Swisscom is not only bringing the 5G network to cities, but also to rural and tourist areas for the benefit of all. Urs Schaeppi says: “Though many applications are in the pipeline, they are still at an early stage. Back when 3G was launched, people doubted whether mobile Internet was necessary at all. Today, we know that mobile applications on 3G and 4G have revolutionised our daily lives. Now we’ve reached the same point with 5G.” Swisscom is shaping 5G development and plays an active role in standardisation through its work on international committees. Around the globe, countries and telecom providers are hatching ambitious plans for 5G expansion. In Switzerland, however, comparatively restrictive ONIR limits that were originally set in 1999 present an obstacle to a swift, extensive and profitable rollout. It is up to politicians and administrations to quickly adapt the underlying framework.
From first aid to supporting the fire service with drones and new event experiences, combined mobility, smart farming or tourism products; these are just some of the possibilities that 5G opens up.
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Qualcomm invents breakthrough technologies that transform how the world computes, connects and communicates. When we connected the phone to the Internet, the mobile revolution was born. Today, our inventions are the foundation for life-changing products, experiences, and industries. As we lead the world to 5G, we envision this next big change in cellular technology spurring a new era of intelligent, connected devices and enabling new opportunities in connected cars, remote delivery of health care services, and the IoT — including smart cities, smart homes, and wearables. Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, all of our engineering, research and development functions, and all of our products and services businesses, including, the QCT semiconductor business. For more information, visit Qualcomm’s website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.
Wistron NeWeb Corporation (WNC) specializes in the design and development of cutting-edge communication products. WNC’s technical expertise ranges across applications from broadband, broadcasting, multimedia, and the IoT to wireline and wireless communications, with product scope covering solutions in network communications, digital home products, satellite broadcasting, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). For more information, please visit: http://www.wnc.com.tw/.
Ericsson is world market leader in the field of communications technology and services and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. More than 111,000 employees work for our company, providing customers in 180 countries with innovative solutions and services. We are working together towards a vision of a connected future in which all people and industries can achieve their full potential. In 2016, Ericsson generated revenues of 222.6 billion SEK (24.5 billion USD). Ericsson is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm and NASDAQ in New York.
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