Elisa and Nokia have successfully tested 5G technology on the 3.5 GHz band, the first time this has been achieved in Europe. The test, which took place in Rusko, Finland, on 7 April, achieved data speeds multiple times higher than current commercial 4G-based networks.

In the test, a 5G signal was transmitted on the 3.5 GHz band between a base station and terminal. At their peak, data speeds reached 1.5 Gbps with the lowest latency at 1.5 milliseconds. Both values are significantly better than in the current commercial 4G networks and therefore the test results were very encouraging.

“The exercise is a continuation of 5G testing carried out last August, in which Elisa and Nokia tested the remote control of robots, 360-degree video streaming, as well as superfast next-generation mobile ultra-broadband. We are eagerly waiting for the 3.5 GHz band to become fully available as it will accelerate the offering of commercial 5G services to our customers,” saysKalle Lehtinen, Elisa’s Vice President with responsibility for technology and architecture.

3.5 GHz will be one of the key frequency bands for 5G networks globally. Its bandwidth of up to 400 MHz facilitates fast data speeds, and due to the fairly low frequency it is possible to build comprehensive coverage. In Finland, the 3.5 GHz band will become available on 31 December 2018, after which it will be possible to take it into commercial 5G use.