Samsung Electronics has announced that it employed its 5G mmWave solution as a backhaul to boost Wi-Fi service in a subway train in Seoul, Korea. The trial conducted by the tech giant showed that the use of 5G mmWave can notably enhance legacy Wi-Fi service in a public space.
In the trial, Samsung gained Wi-Fi downlink speeds of 1.8Gbps with a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra on a moving subway train. The current average speed on Seoul"s subway lines is 71Mbps and, the downlink speeds gained during the trial are about 25 times faster. The company"s 5G Compact Macro aided in improving Wi-Fi data speeds by leveraging the ultra-high capacity of the 5G mmWave spectrum as a backhaul.
This demonstration was conducted in Seoul Metropolitan Subway and covered five stations, coursing through major downtown areas, on the subway line. Samsung"s 5G Wave Compact Macro, which powered the improved Wi-Fi service, used 800MHz in the 28Ghz spectrum band and was located along the railways.
Vice President and Head of Korea Business, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics, Seungil Kim stated:
We are pleased to deliver an enhanced mobile experience, with faster download speeds and connections for subway passengers, leveraging our advanced 5G mmWave solution. Our successful speed trial on public transportation proves the high potential of 5G mmWave, demonstrating its capability to complement existing wireless technologies, and boosting the performance of legacy networks, all while providing a foundation for future telecommunication services.
The tech giant"s Compact Macro is the first 5G product to be registered on the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security"s Certified Product List and the U.S. National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) Product Compliant List (PCL). It combines a baseband unit, radio, and an antenna in a single form factor that can be conveniently installed on utility poles and on the sides of the buildings as well for an instant buildout of 5G networks.