Telefônica Brasil has initiated the testing phase of utilizing the 5.5G signal on its antenna. This next generation of mobile internet signifies a progressive advancement beyond 5G and is poised for future commercial deployment.
During the testing phase, Telefônica recorded peak download speeds of up to 6.7 Gbps, with an average of 5.5 Gbps, marking the highest speeds yet achieved on a Telefônica antenna.
Preliminary findings from telcos suggest that 5.5G holds the promise of delivering traffic speeds ranging from 10 to 30 times than 5G. According to Ookla’s Speedtest survey conducted in the latter half of 2023, the average download speed on 5G in Brazil reached 445.69 Mbps.
In its testing endeavor, Telefônica utilized 600 MHz of bandwidth from the 26 GHz band (mmWave), a frequency exclusive to the company. Telefônica foresees that 5.5G will not only broaden the landscape for new business ventures and revenue streams but will also synergize with artificial intelligence and cloud computing to introduce innovative products and services underpinned by robust network infrastructure.
Moreover, 5.5G stands to bolster initiatives in smart city development, the internet of things, fixed wireless access (FWA), connected vehicles, among other sectors.
In a parallel development, in February 2024, TIM also announced the commencement of its own 5.5G testing, achieving peak speeds of 11.6 Gbps.