Qualcomm, Ericsson and US Cellular break the mmWave 5G data-call range record

mmWave is a sub-type of 5G that is currently linked to perceptions of dependence on high-density towers and spotty reliability even in their presence. Qualcomm is trying to change that with research and development into its technology, as it believes that it will form the basis of the fixed-wireless access broadband of the future.

Most recently, this OEM, in conjunction with partners in this endeavor such as Ericsson, had reported that they had gotten the distance over which an mmWave data-call could be maintained up to 3.8 kilometers (km). This project was conducted in Australia. Now, Qualcomm has announced that this limit has been breached in a new test.

This experiment was completed in Janesville, Wisconsin, in collaboration with US Cellular and Ericsson. These companies now claim that the mmWave connectivity used worked over a range of more than 5km. This was done using CPE based on the Snapdragon X55 and QTM527 mmWave antenna.

Qualcomm now asserts that this will bring mmWave as an augmentation of or even alternative to traditional wired internet even closer to fruition. On the other hand, the speeds of its new, longer-range data call was quoted as 100 megabits a second (Mb/s) or more.