Telefónica Deutschland, Samsung Test 5G Fixed Wireless Access in Germany

Telefónica Deutschland and Samsung Electronics are collaborating on a 5G fixed wireless trial that will span up to 20 households in Hamburg, Germany.

Immediately after installation, the households will test 5G technology delivering gigabit level throughput beginning in November for a period of three months.

Specifically, Samsung will support the set-up of the trial with a complete end-to-end millimeter wave (26 GHz) solution. The combination of newly developed hardware technology with special software enables fast transfer rates of several Gigabits per second across the so-called “last mile.” The technology consists of the following components: A Samsung virtual core and a 5G radio access unit used by Telefónica, and Samsung 5G outdoor-unit and indoor routers used on customer premises.

With this trial, Telefónica and Samsung are field-testing an attractive alternative to current technologies in Germany. The aim of the trial is to show that households and businesses can be supplied with high-quality Gigabit connections for an optimal customer experience without the need for trenching and laying fiber-optic cables.

“For the first time, Telefónica Deutschland and Samsung are working hand in hand in Germany on the introduction of 5G in connection with FWA,” says Cayetano Carbajo Martín, CTO of Telefónica Deutschland. “At Telefónica Deutschland, we are confident that this trial will not only demonstrate the technical feasibility of Fixed Wireless Access in Germany, but will also provide a better network experience with regard to future technologies.”

“5G FWA is a promising, fast-to-market and cost-effective way to bring Giga-speed broadband to people across the country, and a viable alternative where fiber deployment is not feasible,” says GY Seo, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Sales & Marketing Team, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are pleased to work with Telefónica in delivering its first 5G FWA trial. This partnership allows us to respond to user demands and explore compelling connected service opportunities in Germany.”