Less than two years after EE launched the UK’s first 4G network, Mobile maker Ericsson has showcased tests for new 5G mobile technology capable of reaching speeds 250 times higher than current 4G.
The telecommunications gear maker said Tuesday it had conducted a test that achieved a connection speed of 5 gigabits per second over the air, part of its plans for 5G wireless technology.
However, commercial deployment won’t actually occur until at least 2020.
The 5Gbps benchmark, which is 250 times faster than today’s standard LTE (4G) connection and approximately 395 times faster than the current average UK home broadband download speed.
Filmed in the company’s top secret 5G development lab somewhere near Stockholm, this video shows 5G mobile internet reach speeds of 5.8Gb (5,800Mb).
“If LTE was about getting everyone connected, 5G is about getting everything connected,” said Johan Wibergh, head of the networks business unit for Ericsson.
Ericsson’s test provides a glimpse into the theoretical future of wireless. With a 5Gbps connection, a 50GB movie would take about 80 seconds to download. It’s also five times faster than Google Fiber’s 1Gbps wired connection.
