Comsol Networks has announced a collaboration with global technology giants Verizon and Samsung, to launch 5G fixed wireless trials in South Africa.<\/p>\n
The collaboration is aimed at delivering a wireless solution that rivals \u2018FTTx\u2019 offerings, including Fibre-to-the-Business and Fibre-to-the-Home, by early-2019.<\/p>\n
This will be achieved by using the \u2018pre-5G\u2019 proprietary standard from Verizon\u2019s 5G Technical Forum (5GTF), which will ultimately be converted into the 5G New Radio (5GNR) standards once they have been confirmed, Comsol said in a statement on Wednesday (16 May).<\/p>\n
\u201cIn early trials in the US, Verizon has shown the potential of the 28GHz millimetre spectrum, which has been identified for 5G services by the country\u2019s Federal Communications Commission,\u201d said Comsol CEO Iain Stevenson.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith our access to the lion\u2019s share of the 28Ghz band in South Africa, we\u2019re excited to work together and accelerate the development of the 5G ecosystem. Verizon and Samsung\u2019s involvement is a fantastic endorsement of our capabilities in the local market.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stevenson added that 5G fixed wireless access holds the promise of connecting millions of South Africans with high-speed connectivity that would never be possible with fibre solutions (which require significant physical investment).<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile this agreement initially focuses on 5G fixed wireless access, over time this will evolve into consumer offerings, similar to the way that we use 4G services today.\u201d<\/p>\n