OoklaSpeedtest data shows that 5G millimeter wave speeds can reach 16 times that of Sub-6GHz

 Qualcomm continues to lead the development of the 5G millimeter wave ecosystem, helping to provide the world's fastest 5G connection 

SAN DIEGO, May 4, 2021 – Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. today announced that 5G mmWave connections are 16 times faster than sub-6GHz 5G connections based on commercial devices, based on self-tested speed data from U.S. users using commercial devices provided by Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence®*. 5G mmWave uses ultra-wide channels to achieve exponentially faster speeds and greater capacity than lower-frequency 4G or 5G bands. 5G mmWave continues to maintain strong momentum around the world, with all major operators in the United States and Japan deploying 5G mmWave, and recent deployments in Europe and Southeast Asia, with countries and regions such as Australia and Latin America to follow soon. China is also expected to deploy 5G mmWave for the Beijing Winter Olympics early next year.

5G mmWave is essential to significantly improve network performance and promote diverse connected experiences in all kinds of environments. Whether users are using 5G fixed wireless access at home, streaming TV programs while walking in a train station, using enterprise-level connections in offices or schools, or in public places such as crowded places, 5G mmWave is an advanced technology that can provide ultra-large bandwidth support.

Qualcomm Technologies has made 5G millimeter wave technology a reality and continues to promote the popularization of 5G millimeter wave technology through breakthrough technologies and products. Qualcomm Technologies, together with leading companies in the mobile ecosystem, started research on 5G millimeter wave technology several years before the start of related standardization work, then conducted interoperability testing in 2017 and 2018, and finally achieved commercial use of 5G millimeter wave in a number of flagship smartphones released in 2019. In 2020, Qualcomm Technologies also demonstrated a 5G millimeter wave connection with a speed exceeding 5Gbps.

Qualcomm Technologies is committed to making ultra-fast 5G mmWave connectivity available to a broad range of users as quickly as possible and has taken a number of steps to promote this advanced technology, including:

●Currently, all levels of Qualcomm Snapdragon™ mobile platforms (from Snapdragon 8 series to 4 series) support 5G millimeter wave connections.

●According to data from the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), there are currently more than 100 commercial and pre-commercial 5G millimeter wave terminals, including mobile phones, PCs, mobile hotspots, CPEs and modules; almost all of the above terminals are equipped with the Snapdragon platform.

●5G mobile phones using the Snapdragon platform range from flagship terminals to models priced as low as US$400 (about RMB 2,600).

●Qualcomm Technologies is supporting mobile operators to deliver gigabit-class network access to numerous communities using devices powered by the Qualcomm 5G Fixed Wireless Access platform, including extended-range 5G connectivity enabled by high-power millimeter wave solutions.

●Wireless access networks such as small base stations using Qualcomm's 5G RAN platform are already running in operator networks.

The recently released Snapdragon X65 Modem-RF System will leverage new capabilities such as peak speeds of up to 10Gbps and dual connectivity using mmWave and Sub-6GHz bands to further extend 5G mmWave for improved performance.

“Our end-to-end modem-to-antenna solution brings together all the key 5G breakthrough technologies to leverage the ultra-large bandwidth of millimeter waves to improve 5G connectivity performance,” said Marco Maddja, senior vice president and general manager of 4G/5G business at Qualcomm Technologies. “Almost all major device manufacturers in the world are offering 5G commercial devices, and we play a key role in supporting the ultra-high speed and strong capabilities of the 5G vision. This not only redefines the smartphone experience, but also paves the way for creating unlimited possibilities in many areas, including helping 5G to further expand to fixed wireless access, 5G enterprise private networks, computing, XR, and industrial IoT.”

During the Qualcomm 5G Summit on May 19-20, Qualcomm Technologies will further demonstrate how 5G millimeter wave supports the optimal user experience.