A1 and Nokia Test First Pre-6G Video Stream in Austria

Austrian-based telco group A1 and Nokia carried out the first pre-6G video stream in the upper 6 GHz spectrum in Central Europe. This spectrum exemplifies the possibility of significantly expanding capacities and making even better use of existing frequency bands and supplementing them with additional resources.

The combination of new services and devices and a sharp increase in usage are driving the growth of data traffic and making it necessary to develop existing networks. As part of this development, a special focus is placed on efficiency, sustainability, safety, and interaction with new technologies. The result of the tests at the A1 Technology Center shows the great potential of mobile communications for future 5G-Advanced and 6G applications.

"I am pleased that we can demonstrate the possibilities of future wireless technologies here at the A1 Technology Center. After all, we will continue to provide the basis for rapidly advancing digitalization in the future and take into account the increasing demand for secure connectivity. Today's Pre-6G transmission shows that we can build on existing infrastructures as we continue to develop our networks and make them even more efficient," said Christian Laqué, A1 Austria CTO.

"We are just at the beginning of a long journey, but with this proof of concept, we have demonstrated that 6G will not only meet the growing demand for data traffic but also unlock groundbreaking possibilities, such as network sensing and the transformative role of AI in the networks of the future in an efficient, sustainable and secure way,” added Christoph Rohr, Austria Country Manager at Nokia.

"As a leading telecommunications company in the CEE region, it is important to us to drive innovation in the field of digital infrastructure. In doing so, we focus on innovation and cooperation in the industry on the one hand and sustainability and safety on the other. In this way, as a pioneer of technological progress, we take responsibility for the digital lives of our customers," concluded Alexander Kuchar, A1 Group CTO.

As part of the trial, a 128TRX Massive MIMO transmitter from Nokia and a MediaTec test terminal were used as receivers. Under practical conditions, it was shown that the spectrum used in this process can be used in existing macro networks and is compatible with the range of current mobile radio cells. The test results show possibilities to significantly increase urban capacities while maintaining an unchanged network of locations. At the same time, transmission speeds in suburban and rural areas can be significantly improved.