Telstra, Ericsson & Qualcomm set new 5G uplink speed record – techAU
Telstra, in partnership with Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. have announced a new record 5G uplink speed, reaching an impressive 516 Mbps.
This new benchmark exceeds the former record of 447 Mbps set in October 2024, marking it as the fastest uplink speed ever recorded on a live commercial sub-6GHz 5G Standalone (SA) network.
As consumer and business thirst for bidirectional data continues to grow, this record speed responds to those growing demands for high upload speeds. From live streaming and video conferencing to real-time AI data processing, the enhancement of 5G uplink capabilities is crucial for delivering seamless, high-quality experiences.
The feat was accomplished using a single 50MHz 5G SA carrier in the 2600MHz spectrum band, employing Uplink Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) and Single User Multiple Input, Multiple Output (SU-MIMO) technology. Key components included Ericsson’s RAN Processor 6672 and Radio 4466, alongside Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System.
“Our collaboration with Telstra continues to redefine the boundaries of what’s possible in 5G technology. This achievement reflects the strength of our latest Radio Access Network hardware and software solutions and highlights our commitment to enabling superior network performance for communication service providers worldwide.”
Emilio Romeo, Head of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the importance of this collaboration
“Achieving this uplink speed record demonstrates our relentless pursuit of innovation to deliver enhanced network performance for our customers. Together with Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies, we are bringing transformative 5G capabilities to life, enabling greater consistency of performance, reliability, and speed when it matters most.”
Sri Amirthalingam, Telstra’s Wireless Engineering Executive
“We are excited to partner with Telstra and Ericsson to set a new 5G uplink speed record. The UL SU-MIMO technology, driven by our Snapdragon X80, represents a notable advancement in network uplink performance and capacity. This achievement underscores our dedication to providing innovative 5G solutions that address the increasing everyday data demands of modern applications.”
Durga Malladi from Qualcomm Technologies also commented on the collaboration,
While this record-breaking speed might not be immediately available for everyday consumer use, it paves the way for future enhancements. Consumers with compatible devices in areas covered by Telstra’s advanced network deployments will see benefits from these technological advancements.
Moreover, upcoming technologies like 3GPP Release 16 Uplink Transmit Switching and Uplink Carrier Aggregation are expected to further enhance the consistency and reliability of the network’s uplink.
As Telstra and Ericsson continue their partnership, the focus remains on pushing the boundaries of network technology to meet and exceed the expectations of users in Australia and beyond.
