Swisscom has held Switzerland’s first end-to-end 5G New Radio data call as part of its next generation network deployment in the city of Burgdorf.
The operator used a 5G SIM card and a trial device built by Intel, as well as a 3GPP compliant 3.5GHz network using Ericsson’s radio, baseband and transport solutions and the vendor’s Cloud Packet Core on its NFVi solution. Web browsing, voice and streaming were tested.
Swisscom is working with Ericsson on building Switzerland’s first complete 5G network in Burgdorf for operation by the end of this year. The network will comprise 3GPP-compatible 5GNR core and transport networks, and antennas.
The operator has received a test licence for the Burgdorf trials and deployment. The trials will comprise speed, response times, beamforming, slicing and handover to LTE networks. One 5G antenna is already in operation in the city, with 10 more sites to follow in Burgdorf and the surrounding area in the coming months.
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Heinz Herren, outgoing CIO and CTO of Swisscom, said: “The experiences that Swisscom has gained with the 5G network in Burgdorf are very important for the launch of 5G.”
However, the operator reiterated concerns that the Swiss regulation model would make rolling out 5G more costly and also delay its nationwide deployment. An auction is set to take place early next year.
Fredrik Jejdling, Head of Business Area Networks at Ericsson, added: “By achieving an end-to-end data call on the 3.5GHz band and kick-starting the 5G network rollout, we are helping Swisscom bring 5G services quicker to its customers. Access to new technologies will prepare industries for 5G use cases that will benefit the whole of Switzerland.”
In July, Swisscom carried out fixed-wireless access trials in the remote village of Guttanen and launched its 5G testing programme last year.