Today, Vodafone is taking the first step towards 5G in more than half of the Netherlands. The mobile operator uses the current frequencies and the existing antenna park. When using a 5G device, the data speed increases by ten percent.
Vodafone will apply 5G technology in existing 4G frequency bands in parts of the Netherlands. This means that the existing spectrum is smartly divided between 4G and 5G using Ericsson technology. Both protocols will continue to exist side by side. Moreover, because existing 4G frequencies are used, new masts are not immediately needed. This makes 'spectrum sharing' ideal for introducing 5G into the network as a springboard to further 5G development in the coming years. 5G is not one innovation, but a number of technical innovations together.
Multi-band auction
Vodafone is thus anticipating the availability of new 5G frequencies via the multi-band auction later this year. This is possible because there are several ways to apply 5G. The three new frequency bands (700 megaherz, 3.5 gigaherz and 26 gigaherz) that should give 5G wings are not strictly necessary to make a start. The 700 megaherz band will be auctioned this year. The other two tires will come much later.
Vodafone expects to have 5G available throughout the Netherlands by the end of July. T-Mobile also expects to have a nationwide 5G network this year. There are already 5G antennas in The Hague. KPN already has small-scale 5G networks at a number of locations. These are used for its 5G testing grounds, including those in Drenthe, Helmond, Eindhoven, Amsterdam-Zuidoost and Pernis. In addition, many antennas are already prepared for 5G.
Latency
The benefits for consumers will be limited for the time being. According to Vodafone, the response speed (latency) improves by about thirty percent: from an average of around 30 milliseconds on 4G to less than 20 milliseconds on 5G. This will especially appeal to gamers.
The download speeds that 5G can offer in the existing spectrum are up to a maximum of 1 Gbps, which is well above the maximum 350 Mbps of current 4G subscriptions. In practice, this data speed will initially be ten percent higher on average. This requires a 5G smartphone such as the Samsung S20 5G or Oppo Find X2 Pro. The subscription must also be suitable for this. Vodafone has already adjusted a number of subscriptions.
The first step towards 5G has been taken in collaboration with Ericsson. New software from that supplier (Spectrum Sharing) is used in combination with Ericsson Evolved Packet Core.
Source: Computable
