Telefónica has trialled 5G transport network technology in a lab test with ZTE.
The demonstration was held at the operator’s Future Networks Lab in Madrid and used the Chinese vendor’s 5G Flexhaul solution.
The trial showed that forwarding latency is less than 0.5µs per node and the protection switching time, which guarantees service if part of the network is down, is less than 1ms.
ZTE said the lab tests showed how 5G would satisfy demands for high reliability and ultra-low latencies, while Luis Contreras, Technological Specialist, Technology and Planning of Transport, IP and Interconnection Networks at Telefónica, said the test results had met expectations.
The two telcos will now turn their attention to further transport testing as well as explore and verify end to end 5G solutions.
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Last month, Telefónica’s German arm worked with Huawei on developing a 5G ready antenna that could be deployed in tight spaces.
Speaking at the time, Jaime Lluch, Radio Access Network Director at Telefónica Deutschland, said that a lack of antenna installation space “severely hinders” the development of new network technologies.
ZTE is also working with Italian operator Wind Tre on a new 5G testbed in Prato and L’Aquila, which aims to explore how the technology can improve healthcare, energy and security provisions.