NEC Teams with BT and EE to Test Future 5G Millimetre Wave Technology at Salford University

NEC Teams with BT and EE to Test Future 5G Millimetre Wave
Technology at Salford University

TOKYO, Feb
24, 2017 – (JCN Newswire) – NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701), BT and EE will work
with the University of Salford as a research partner to undertake the most
thorough testing yet into the performance of vital millimetre wave mobile
backhaul technology for 4G and 5G networks.

With smaller cell sites set to play an integral role in meeting the capacity,
latency and throughput requirements of future 4G and 5G networks, mobile
backhaul is a growing challenge.

To meet this challenge, NEC, BT and EE have teamed up to test the performance
of V-band point-to-point mobile backhaul, using millimetre wave spectrum in the
60GHz band. The test will focus largely on how these links may stand up to the
rigours of the British weather.

Using the University of Salford as a base, the companies have created a test
bed to measure the performance of the V-band radio system over a 12-month
period when exposed to rain, wind, fog and ice. The University has installed a
radio system complete with transceivers and antennas on the Newton Science and
Engineering building and the Maxwell Building at its Peel Park Campus and will
monitor transmissions at the test site from now until early 2018.

“This will be one of the most detailed tests of this type done anywhere in
the world to date, so we are delighted it will be hosted in Salford with our
partners NEC, BT and EE,” explained Nigel Linge, professor of
telecommunications, University of Salford.

“Millimetre wave point to point links operate at very high frequencies to
transmit high volumes of data over relatively short distances. However, the
high frequency does mean that it is possibly affected by climatic conditions –
the question being by how much. This is a vital technology for the future of 4G
and 5G networks, so this research can play a major part in influencing
deployment in years to come.”

Stephen Walthew, Manager – Transport Networks at NEC Europe, said Salford was a
perfect choice for the testing: “We were looking for an urban area,
somewhere the weather is very variable and where there is expertise in network
engineering. Given our long-standing relationship with Professor Linge and his
colleagues, we are delighted the University of Salford can host the tests.

“The 60GHz connection has the opportunity to become the solution of choice
for high capacity backhauling, so the more scientific evidence we can collect
about its performance, the better we can make decisions about design and
deployment.”

Professor Andy Sutton, Principal Network Architect at BT, said, “V-band
radio systems have great potential as a backhaul solution for small cells
within a heterogeneous network. We are delighted to be cooperating with NEC and
the University of Salford to validate the achievable network performance of
this exciting technology in a real-world environment.

“This is the most extensive testing we’ve ever undertaken. Having a full
year’s worth of results against a diverse range of weather and atmospheric
conditions will provide a critical input to our future network strategy and
architecture.”