Samsung Electronics Sets Global Records for 28GHz Band 5G Transmission Distance and Download Speed

Australia NBN and 5G Communication Experiment Underway
Enhancing Performance Using 5G Solutions Including Compact Macro with Proprietary Chipset

Samsung Electronics announced on the 7th that it has set a new world record in transmission distance and download speed in a long-distance 5G communication test using the 28 GHz frequency conducted with Australia's national telecommunications company. The photo shows Samsung Electronics' 28 GHz compact macro equipment. Photo by Samsung Electronics

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] Samsung Electronics has set a world record in transmission distance and download speed in a long-distance 5G communication test using the 28 GHz frequency band conducted with Australia's state-owned telecommunications company.

Samsung Electronics announced on the 7th that as a result of conducting a local test of 28 GHz 5G technology with Australia's state-owned telecom company NBN, it achieved an average data download speed of 1.75 Gbps and a peak speed of 2.7 Gbps at a distance of 10 km from the base station. This is the longest transmission distance and the highest transmission speed recorded using 28 GHz 5G communication. It is a level that can wirelessly implement the 'Gigabit Internet' service currently used via wired connections.

Established in 2009, NBN provides wireless ultra-high-speed internet services through over 2,300 sites. To bridge the digital divide between regions in Australia, NBN has announced plans to invest approximately 480 million dollars to expand the ultra-high-speed broadband service coverage rate to over 50% nationwide and to advance 5G technology.

5G communication using ultra-high frequency bands such as 28 GHz can transmit large amounts of data at once by utilizing wide bandwidth, providing fast speeds. However, a drawback is that the radio wave reach is relatively shorter compared to low and mid-band frequencies. Therefore, technology that extends transmission distance plays a key role in determining service quality. Australia, with its low population density and vast land area, is expected to use this to more effectively provide fixed wireless access (FWA) ultra-high-speed broadband services to suburban areas.

To enhance performance, Samsung Electronics applied its latest self-developed 2nd generation 5G modem chip, the '28 GHz compact macro equipment' that provides base station, radio, and antenna functions in a single form factor, 'Carrier Aggregation (CA) technology' that achieves higher transmission speeds by utilizing an 800 MHz wideband frequency, and antenna optimization technology '3D beamforming technology' that enables data transmission over longer distances.

Lee Junhee, Vice President and Head of Development Team at Samsung Electronics’ Network Business Division, said, "Samsung Electronics has taken a step closer to realizing the infinite potential of ultra-high frequency bands based on overwhelming wireless communication technology and commercialization experience accumulated worldwide. Going forward, Samsung Electronics will continue to lead technological innovation that will revolutionize next-generation communication environments."

Ray Owen, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of NBN, said, "The results of this joint test are a very important achievement that can bridge the digital divide between regions in Australia. We will explore the potential of the 28 GHz band and create new opportunities using it to provide Australian consumers with more diverse ultra-high-speed broadband services."

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics succeeded in commercializing the world's first home 5G ultra-high-speed broadband service using 28 GHz in the United States in 2018. Since then, it has been collaborating for ultra-high frequency band 5G services in Korea, Japan, the United States, and other countries. It also provides end-to-end ultra-high frequency band 5G solutions equipped with self-developed chipsets.