Nokia is conducting a 5G standalone (SA) network trial with Chubu Telecommunications (ctc) a subsidiary of KDDI, in Japan.
The trial will use a local 5G network which is independent of a traditional mobile network and use the Sub-6GHz (n79) 4.6-4.9 spectrum band for enhanced capacity. The high-band Sub-6GHz spectrum supports high capacity and extreme mobile broadband capabilities.
The trial will verify how Nokia’s 5G SA network can enable ctc to provide commercial high-speed, high-capacity, low latency Fixed Wireless Access services including Internet, telephone to subscribers without the need for a fibre-optic installation at a customer’s home. This is expected to shorten service delivery times.
In this trial, Nokia's 5G SA core was installed at a ctc Lab, and 5G base stations were installed at another ctc Lab and at an apartment complex in Nagoya City. Local 5G networks can be built ahead of time in areas where mobile network services are not yet deployed and have the flexibility to configure the required performance. They are also less susceptible to communication failures or disasters in other locations.
During the trial, ctc will examine the construction and operational processes of installing a 5G Core and 5G base station and verify the application of local 5G including the radio wave propagation characteristics and communication performance in a live environment.
The trial will also explore how businesses can utilise the local 5G network to improve the efficiency of solutions such as remote monitoring, video transmission, and image analysis.
