Qualcomm offers 6GHz radio chips for early 5G launch

nterestingly, this latest 5G prototype system from Qualcomm operates in the sub-6GHz spectrum bands and not in the millimetre-wave (28-65GHz) frequency bands.
However, this just confirms the likelihood of a two stage introduction of 5G services over the next five years or so. First systems will look a lot like an upgrade of 4G operating in sub-6GHz bands.
Qualcomm already has a mmWave prototype system for 5G research, operating at 28GHz.
The market may have to wait for the proposed IoT-centric 5G technology using the millimetre-wave frequencies to meet the expected data capacity needs. This is now likely to happen sometime after 2020.
According to Qualcomm, utilising spectrum bands below 6GHz for 5G will be “a critical part of allowing for flexible deployments with ubiquitous network coverage”.
Qualcomm wants to use the sub-6GHz prototype system “to drive 3GPP standardisation for a new, OFDM-based 5G NR air interface”.
“The prototype system will closely track 3GPP progress to help achieve timely 5G NR trials with mobile operators, infrastructure vendors,” said the chipset supplier.
The 5G NR prototype system consists of both a basestation and user equipment. It supports radio channel bandwidths over 100MHz, and has lower over-the-air latency than what is possible in today’s 4G LTE network, says Qualcomm.
Qualcomm is working closely with China Mobile Communications on 5G technology development to support the work required for 3GPP 5G standardisation. The prototyping platform is being demonstrated at Mobile World Congress Shanghai.

http://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/qualcomm-offers-6ghz-radio-chips-for-early-5g-launch-2016-06/