Qualcomm is planning 5G New Radio field trials and interoperability testing with Nokia, as well as exploring how mmWave can benefit smartphones.
The chipset maker said it wanted its work with Nokia to help evolve the 5G ecosystem towards the validation and commercialisation of new technologies.
The trials will use Nokia’s 5G FIRST solution and a device prototype built by Qualcomm.
Both companies will test end-to-end applications and simulate real-life use cases and scenarios.
Spectrum in the 3.5GHz, 4.5GHz, 28GHz and 39GHz bands will be tapped into.
Other technology that will explored in the trials includes Massive MIMO, beamforming, adaptive TDD, OFDM-based waveforms, and advanced coding and modulation.
Testing is set to start during the second half of this year.
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Meanwhile, Qualcomm also announced it has built a prototype device operating in mmWave bands above 24GHz to test and trial challenges facing future smartphones compatible with those frequency ranges.
The prototype will use MIMO technology with beamforming and beamtracking and can support download speeds of up to 5GBps.
Cristiano Amon, Executive Vice President, Qualcomm Technologies and President, Qualcomm CDMA Technologies, said: “Our 5G NR mmWave prototype system is proving that sustained mobile broadband communications and smartphone form-factor devices are progressing for 2019 launches.”
As well as the forthcoming trials with Nokia, Qualcomm said smartphone manufacturers will be given the opportunity to see how mmWave technology can plug into their device form factors.
Last week Intel announced it was launching a mobile trial platform to support 5G New Radio.