Global Progress to 5G - Trials, Deployments and Launchesiks.sut.ru/sites/default/files/reservestorage/... · mode for enhanced mobile broadband, were agreed in December 2017. 3GPP

©Copyright 2018 Global mobile Suppliers Association 1

Global Progress to 5G - Trials, Deployments and Launches

Prepared by GSA based on information researched from multiple industry sources

July 2018

GSA Report | July 2018 | Global Progress to 5G - Trials, Deployments and Launches

©Copyright 2018 Global mobile Suppliers Association2

Introduction

As the telecom industry races towards the commercial introduction of 5G technology, the number of operators investing in 5G technologies is growing substantially. Telecom operators from all continents have announced involvement with 5G demonstrations, lab tests and field trials. Many have announced formal plans for the launch of 5G services and some have even now announced small-scale service launches.

GSA has identified 154 operators, in 66 countries (shown in Figure 1 below) that have demonstrated, are testing or trialling, or have been licensed to conduct, field trials of 5G-enabling and candidate technologies. Figure 1: Countries with operators investing in 5G networks (from pre-commitment trials through to full deployments)

Between them, these operators have announced over 412 separate demonstrations, tests or trials that we have been able to identify. Key 5G technologies being explored include new radio (NR) interfaces operating in spectrum bands not previously used for mobile telecoms services and network slicing to support delivery of services tailored to specific types of customer or service; combinations of technologies such as massive MIMO, or complex beam-forming that are needed to achieve very high speeds; and backhaul, cloud- and edge-computing arrangements to support very low latencies. Note that our definition of 5G trials exclude – where available data permits – trials

154 operators in 66 countries have

demonstrated, are testing or

trialling, or have been licensed to begin field trials of 5G-enabling and candidate technologies; up from 134

operators in 62 countries in April

2018

There have been over 412 separate 5G

demonstrations, tests or trials; up from 250 at the

start of 2018



of so-called ‘massive MIMO’ technologies that do not offer at least 64 transmit channels at the base station.

Such lower order MIMO trials with 8, 16 or 32 transmit channels (sometimes claimed by operators as pre-5G or 5G technologies), or where the MIMO order is not revealed, are now counted in GSA figures as LTE-Advanced or LTE-Advanced Pro trials as appropriate, unless the tests have other characteristics that would make them intrinsically 5G (such as use of new very high spectral frequencies or NR approaches). The 3GPP standards for NR networks capable of running alongside existing LTE networks, using non-standalone (NSA) mode for enhanced mobile broadband, were agreed in December 2017. 3GPP Release 15 Standards for standalone (SA) 5G NR mode for enhanced mobile broadband networks were completed in June 2018. Further 5G standards evolution is expected in 3GPP Release 16, due to be completed by December 2019. This report summarises the global state of testing and trialling of 5G systems by network operators and focuses solely on what operators are reporting and announcing. It does not analyse trials and tests being run by vendors independently of licensed network operators, nor does it compare vendors’ various technologies.

At least 67 projects have involved testing massive MIMO in the context of 5G (i.e. MIMO trials involving 64 or more transmitters, or lower order MIMO used on new high frequency spectrum bands or involving some other 5G aspect such as NR characteristics). This figure is up from 61 in our previous report. We have identified 92 demos, tests or trials of NR technologies (up from 73 in three months). We are also monitoring trials of network slicing technology; we have identified 21 projects that have explicitly featured network slicing compared to 19 in our previous report. One use-case that has gained prominence is the use of 5G to deliver fixed wireless broadband services. We have identified 20 tests so far that have specifically focused on the fixed wireless access (FWA) use-case, which is five more than three months ago.

Operator technology demonstrations, tests and trials

Spectrum bands used in trials

Around the world, regulators are either in the process of holding 5G auctions or consulting and planning the allocation of 5G-suitable frequencies. At the same time, operators have been working in many of the candidate spectrum bands.

The chart in Figure 2 shows the spectrum bands that have been used by



operators in 261 demonstrations/trials where the spectrum details have been released. Our analysis uses data reported by operators: note that some trials involved more than one spectrum band, that there are multiple overlapping spectrum bands reported by different operators, and that some operators report simply ‘C-band’ or ‘E-band’, or a specific frequency point (such as 3.5 GHz) without elaborating on the upper and lower thresholds of the spectrum band(s) used. Figure 2: Count of 5G demonstrations and trials according to spectrum bands used (base: 261 demos/trials where the spectrum used has been stated; often multiple trials per operator)

The 28 GHz band has been most used, followed by the 3.5 GHz band. Allocating the trials into wider spectrum ranges (as shown in Figure 3) we can see that sub-6 GHz spectrum has been most used, followed by spectrum between 24 GHz and 29.5 GHz.



Figure 3: Distribution of number of 5G demonstrations and trials by broad spectrum ranges (base: 261 demos/trials)

Network throughput

One of the key metrics being reported is the peak downlink throughput of the various demonstrations, tests and trials. The demonstrations and trials are not really comparable, as they use varying amounts of spectrum and different types of equipment, in contrasting physical environments and for a range of applications. Nonetheless it is interesting to note that many of them report that speeds well in excess of 1 Gigabit per second have been achieved. Trials for very high speeds are proofs of concept; it is not expected that commercial 5G networks will be able to deliver the very highest speeds indicated in the chart below for some time to come. Figure 4 summarises the results of the demonstrations and trials where information has been made available: 165 in total.



Figure 4: Network throughput (DL) reported in 5G demonstrations and trials (base: 165 demos/ trials)

Latency

5G networks are expected to have substantially reduced latency compared with current mobile networks. This is another key metric for demonstrations and trials, as vendors and operators seek to achieve the 5G benchmarks. Once again, the figures reported by demonstrations and trials are not comparable, as they involve very different configurations (air interface latency, ‘end-to-end’ latency, etc.) and even in field trials, do not take place under real network conditions but are illustrative of the fact that low latencies are being achieved. It is interesting to point out that most trials (for which data has been reported) have achieved latencies of between 1 to 1.99 ms.Figure 5: Latencies reported in 5G demonstrations and trials (base: 55 demos/trials)



5G launches and deployments

Six telecom operators in six countries claim they have launched 5G networks in the past two months. These are Elisa Finland, Elisa Estonia, Ooredoo Kuwait, Ooredoo Qatar, STC Saudi Arabia and Etisalat United Arab Emirates. A seventh operator – Zain Kuwait claims it has deployed and is commercially piloting a 5G network in selected locations.

However, at present, the lack of commercially available 5G devices is hindering operators’ efforts to properly launch 5G services. Of those claiming launches, only Elisa (Finland and Estonia) and STC (Saudi Arabia) have responded to enquiries from GSA confirming (limited) device availability; in each case the operator reports use of CPE supplied by Huawei. Our understanding is that the other operators are waiting for 5G devices so they can introduce services properly.Table 1: Operators claiming 5G network deployments/launches

Operator Country DetailsElisa Estonia and

FinlandElisa announced the launch of its 5G service in June 2018 with services available in Tallinn city centre in Estonia and Tampere in Finland. Currently there is at least one Huawei 5G wireless router available, according to Elisa’s press office. The service uses 100 MHz of bandwidth in the 3.5 GHz band and subscriptions are on sale.

Zain Kuwait Zain Kuwait announced in June 2018 it had deployed and would be commercially piloting a 5G network in select locations.

Ooredoo Kuwait Ooredoo Kuwait announced the launched of 5G services in Doha.

Ooredoo Qatar Ooredoo Qatar announced the launch of 5G services in May 2018, with 22 5G network towers live by the end of June.

STC Saudi Arabia In May 2018, STC launched a live network, but stated it was waiting for devices to use.

Etisalat United Arab Emirates

Etisalat launched a limited availability commercial 5G FWA network in May 2018 using the 3.3–3.8 GHz band. The service was initially launched in Abu Dhabi with deployments underway in Dubai also.

5G planned launches

Sixty-six telecom operators in 37 countries have announced intentions of making 5G available to their customers from 2018 onwards. There are 10 launches planned to take place by the end of 2018. These include the US operators



AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless, as well as the Bahrain-based Zain. They are expected to be joined by telecoms operators in Estonia, Finland, Italy, Qatar, San Marino, Sweden, and Switzerland. At least 17 more 5G networks are scheduled to become available in 2019. Among them are those operated by KT, SK Telecom and LG Uplus in South Korea; Optus in Australia; China Mobile; EE, UK; and Rostelecom, Russia. 2020 is likely to be an important year for 5G launches, with at least 26 networks currently scheduled to go live that year. Orange Slovensko and Telefonica Spain have expressed plans to launch 5G post-2020. The number of operators announcing schedules for the commercial introduction of 5G services is expected to rise substantially in the next year to 18 months or so as the first 5G-capable CPE devices and subsequently, smartphones, start to emerge. Table 2: Operators planning to launch 5G between 2018 and 2022

Operator Country DetailsOptus Australia Optus announced its plans to start rolling out a fixed

wireless 5G network in early 2019.Telstra Australia Telstra plans to deploy its 5G network in three phases

with full deployment expected in 2020. Zain Bahrain Zain intends 5G launch in 2018.Viva Bahrain In May 2018, the company said that once spectrum

is made available, the company plans to deploy and launch 5G services.

Claro Brazil Claro Brazil plans to launch 5G in 2020. Telus Canada Telus plans to deploy 5G in the 2019–2020 period.China Mobile China In May 2018, China Mobile started deployments in

Hangzhou and Shanghai. It plans launch in 2019.China Unicom China In June 2018, China Unicom started 5G pilot projects

in 16 Chinese cities. It plans to deploy the technology commercially by 2020.

China Telecom China China Telecom plans commercial 5G launch by 2020.T-Hrvatski Telekom

Croatia T-Hrvatski Telekom plans to launch 5G in 2020.

Vodafone Czechia Vodafone plans to deploy 5G in the first quarter of 2019.

TeliaEesti Estonia TeliaEesti plans to launch 5G in 2018TeliaSonera Finland TeliaSonera plans to launch 5G in 2018.DNA Finland DNA plans to launch 5G in 2019. The operator plans a

5G network demo with expected speeds of more than 1 Gbps in the summer of 2018.

Orange France Orange France plans to deploy 5G by 2020SFR France SFR’s 5G deployment is planned in 2019 with

commercial launch in 2020.



Operator Country DetailsDeutsche Telekom (T-Mobile)

Germany Deutsche Telekom announced in May 2018 that it had deployed six 5G antennas in Berlin. It intends to deploy 70 more at 20 sites during summer 2018 in preparation for its full 5G deployment, expected for 2020.

Telefonica (O2) Germany In February 2018, Telefonica and Nokia formed a joint 5G Innovation Cluster. Trials are planned in Munich and Berlin. Deployment is due for 2021.

China Mobile Hong Kong

Hong Kong CMHK has received permission to test 5G. The operator plans tests in the 2nd half of 2018. 5G launch expected in 2020.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)

India BSNL is set to launch 5G services in India in 2020.

Vodafone Ireland Vodafone Ireland is expected to introduce 5G in 2020.TIM Italy TIM plans to establish 75% 5G coverage in its 5G

testing area in Matera and Bari by the end of 2018 and a full coverage by 2020.

NTT DoCoMo Japan NTT DoCoMo plans to roll out 5G network across Tokyo for the 2020 Olympic Games. Docomo is deploying NSA 5G, with plans to later launch 5G SA.

Softbank / Ymobile Corp

Japan Softbank/Ymobile Corp plans to deploy 5G by 2020.

Viva Kuwait Viva Kuwait demonstrated its 5G readiness at its HQ. Once regulatory approval is received the company says it will launch for customers.

LMT Latvia LMT's first commercial services are anticipated in 2020.Spark New Zealand Spark plans to begin rolling out a 5G network in

2018/19. Vodafone New Zealand Vodafone plans to start switching users to 5G by 2021. PLDT Philippines PLDT plans 5G commercial roll-out in 2020.Globe Philippines Globe plans launch of fixed wireless access 5G in 2019.Orange Polska Poland Orange Polska plans to start testing 5G in 2019 and

plans implementation in 2020/21.Vodafone Portugal Vodafone Portugal's CEO said he expects the company

to begin offering commercial 5G in 2020.Vodafone Qatar Vodafone Qatar plans to introduce 5G at the end of

2018. Orange Romania Orange Romania plans to launch 5G in 2020.Megafon/Yota Russia Megafon deployed test 5G networks in stadiums

hosting the 2018 World Cup matches in Moscow, and is planning future full 5G deployment.



Operator Country DetailsMTS Russia MTS has signed an agreement with Ericsson to

upgrade the operator's network to 5G. 5G launch is expected in 2020.

Rostelecom Russia Rostelecom plans to deploy a commercial 5G network in 2019.

TIM San Marino San Marino TIM plans to progressively deploy new technologies in San Marino (starting in 2018) with a view to making San Marino one of the first countries in the world with a 5G service.

Orange Slovensko

Slovenia Orange Slovensko announced plans to launch 5G between 2020 and 2022.

Comsol South Africa Comsol plans to launch trials of FWA 5G in South Africa with aims to launch services in 2019.

SK Telecom South Korea SK Telecom plans to launch 5G in the first half of 2019.KT Corporation South Korea KT's network business head said that KT plans to start

providing 5G starting March 2019. LG Uplus South Korea LG Uplus is expected to launch its 5G network in early

2019.Telefonica (Movistar)

Spain Telefonica plans to launch 5G in 2021.

Orange Spain Orange plans 5G deployment in 2019 in four Spanish cities using the 3.5 GHz band.

Masmovil( Yoigo)

Spain Masmovil is deploying 5G-ready equipment to upgrade its network.

SLT (Mobitel) Sri Lanka SLT plans to launch a 5G network by 2020.TeliaSonera Sweden TeliaSonera plans to launch 5G by the end of 2018.Tele2 Sweden Sweden Tele2 Sweden signed an agreement to jointly develop

its 5G network with Telenor. 5G launch is expected in 2020.

Telenor Sweden Sweden Telenor Sweden signed an agreement to jointly develop its 5G network with Tele2 Sweden. 5G launch is expected in 2020.

Swisscom Switzerland Swisscom's 5G commercial network launch is set for the end of 2018.

Sunrise Communications

Switzerland In June 2018, Sunrise announced that its first 5G antenna was operational. Full 5G service is expected in 2020.

Salt Switzerland 5G launch is expected in 2020.Chunghwa Telecom

Taiwan In January 2018, Chunghwa announced plans to build a pre-commercial 5G network in part of Taipei to serve as a testbed for future projects, with a target launch date of 2020.

Asia Pacific Telecom

Taiwan The operator is preparing for 5G launch in 2020.



Operator Country DetailsTrueMove Thailand TrueMove plans to launch 5G in 2020.EE/BT UK EE/BT plans to launch 5G in 2019. Vodafone UK Vodafone UK plans to launch 5G in 2020. O2 UK O2 is expected to launch 5G from 2020 onwards.3 UK UK In May 2018, Three signed an agreement with SSE

Enterprise Telecoms to bring 20 core datacentres on-net as it prepares to start rolling out 5G.

Du United Arab Emirates

In May 2018 the company announced it expects to have a 5G network ready in 2018 for the arrival of 5G devices in 2019.

Sprint USA Sprint has previously plans to launch commercial services and devices in New York City, Arizona’s largest city, Phoenix, and its hometown of Kansas City Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Washington DC in 2019. Following its anticipated merger with T-Mobile, the combined businesses are expected to build a 5G network reaching 90% of the US population by 2024.

AT&T Mobility USA In January 2018, AT&T announced that it expects to introduce mobile 5G service in a dozen cities including Dallas, Atlanta and Waco by late 2018.

T-Mobile USA T-Mobile’s 5G deployment was expected to start in 2019 with nationwide coverage in 2020. Following its anticipated merger with Sprint, the combined businesses are expected to build a 5G network reaching 90% of the US population by 2024.

Verizon Wireless

USA Verizon Wireless plans to commercially deploy 5G services in three to five cities in 2018.

DISH USA DISH plans to launch a 5G service in the future, but is not expected to be able to use its spectrum in the 600 MHz band until it is freed up by boradcasters - not anticipated much before 2020.



Figure 6: Countries that have launched/deployed 5G networks, are planning launches or are in the process of deployment

5G trials

Over and above those operators who have already announced launches, deployments, or definite deployment plans, GSA can confirm that there are at least 81 other operators in 50 countries that are either staging 5G-related trials or planning to test the technology in the future. Almost half of these countries (24) are in Europe. Seventeen Asian countries are also conducting 5G trials. Five countries in Latin America and the Caribbean region have demonstrated different levels of involvement with 5G testing. Canada and USA in North America, Australia and South Africa are also known to host 5G trialling activities. (Note that C Spire Wireless says it has launched 5G services, but we have not had confirmation that it is using 3GPP standardised technology.)Table 3: Operators staging 5G trials or planning to test the emerging technology

Country OperatorsAntigua and Barbuda

Cable & Wireless Communications (FLOW)

Argentina Personal, MovistarArmenia Beeline / ArmenTelAustralia NBN Co, Vodafone

Country OperatorsAustria 3 Austria, A1 Telekom,

T- MobileBahrain BatelcoBangladesh Robi Axiata, TeletalkBelarus becloudBelgium Belgacom / Proximus



Country OperatorsBrazil VivoBulgaria MtelCanada Bell Mobility, Rogers

Wireless, ShawChile ClaroColombia Claro, TigoCroatia VIPNetCzechia O2 Czech Republic,

Nordic Telecom (U:fon), PODA

Denmark TDCEstonia Tele2France Bouygues Telecom, FreeGermany VodafoneHong Kong 3 HK, SmartoneHungary Magyar TelekomIndia Bharti AirtelIndonesia TelkomselIran MTN IrancellItaly 3 Italia, Fastweb, Linkem,

Vodafone, WindJapan KDDILebanon AlfaLithuania Tele2Macau 3 Macau, CTMMalaysia Celcom Axiata

Country OperatorsMexico America Movil (Telcel)Netherlands KPNNorway TelenorOman OmantelPhilippines Smart CommunicationsPortugal MeoQatar OoredooRomania RCS & RDS (Digi Mobil),

TelekomRussia Tattelecom, Tele2 Russia,

Vimpelcom (Beeline)Saudi Arabia Mobily, ZainSerbia Telekom SerbiaSingapore M1, SingTel, StarHubSlovenia Telekom SlovenijeSouth Africa MTN, VodacomSpain VodafoneTaiwan FarEasTone, Taiwan

Mobile, Taiwan Star Mobile

Turkey Turk Telecom, Turkcell, Vodaonfe Turkey

UK ArqivaUkraine Astelit (lifecell)USA C Spire Wireless, Charter

Communications, US Cellular



Figure 7: Countries with other operators staging (or planning to run) pre-commitment 5G trials*

*Excludes operators listed in Table 2, who are already planning, deploying, have deployed or launched 5G networks.

Future work

The number of 5G-related activities, launches, deployments and trials around the world is expected to continue to grow in the coming months as the first 5G-supporting devices emerge on the market from various vendors. GSA will continue reporting on the developments on a regular basis. If your company is conducting 5G tests or trials and we do not have you listed, please email us at [email protected].

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About GSA

GSA (the Global mobile Suppliers Association) is a not-for-profit industry organisation representing companies across the worldwide mobile ecosystem engaged in the supply of infrastructure, semiconductors, test equipment, devices, applications and mobile support services.

GSA actively promotes the 3GPP technology road-map – 3G, 4G, 5G – and is a single source of information resource for industry reports and market intelligence. GSA Members drive the GSA agenda and define the communications and development strategy for the Association.

Membership of GSA is open to any supplier of products; systems or services related to the mobile industry and brings many benefits including access to the GAMBoD database. The range of benefits includes enhanced discussion, networking and influencing opportunities on the key industry topics, and unique promotional/visibility opportunities for your company name, capabilities, positioning and messages. More details can be found at https://gsacom.com/gsa-membership/

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Documents

Global Progress to 5G - Trials, Deployments and Launchesiks.sut.ru/sites/default/files/reservestorage/... · mode for enhanced mobile broadband, were agreed in December 2017. 3GPP