Leading the future: China Unicom and Huawei achieve 5G-A outdoor network verification

The first 5G-A outdoor scale networking verification in Jinqiao, Pudong, was successfully accomplished by China Unicom Research Institute, China Unicom, and Huawei, according to the "China Unicom Research Institute" public account. This verification has attracted widespread attention in the industry and marks another major breakthrough in China's 5G-A technology.


The importance of this verification lies in the introduction of three-carrier aggregation and 1024QAM technology for the first time. This indicates that the downlink test rate can achieve 4.6Gbps upon activation of the three-carrier aggregation + 1024QAM feature. This rate far exceeds the average rate of existing 5G networks, bringing users an extremely smooth experience. Whether it is 4K/8K video playback, ultra-high-definition live broadcast, or even high-bandwidth-demanding services such as XR Metaverse, naked-eye 3D, and generative AI, it can be greatly supported and improved.

It is worth noting that this verification also conducted commercial verification of FDD high-power terminals in Shanghai. High-power terminals have a 3dB higher transmit power than regular terminals, which translates to a 3dB increase in 5G-A's uplink coverage. This technological progress is particularly significant in power-constrained scenarios such as medium and long-range points, with the uplink rate increasing by more than 27%. This provides a more dependable choice for application scenarios such as large-scale data upload, cloud computing, and high-definition video conferencing.

According to China Unicom, Shanghai's Internet celebrity live broadcast sector is expected to benefit greatly from this innovation. In densely populated areas or high-concurrency scenarios, Internet celebrities can carry out smooth, lag-free live broadcasts anytime and anywhere, and no longer have to worry about network delays or interruptions. This will greatly improve user experience and promote the further development of the live broadcast industry.


5G-A, also known as 5.5G, stands for 5G-Advanced, which is a key stage in the evolution from 5G to 6G. It is not only an upgraded version of 5G, but also includes a comprehensive evolution of many new technologies and new applications. The 5.5G era advocated by Huawei is a comprehensively evolved and upgraded end-to-end solution including 5.5G, F5.5G, Net5.5G, etc. Through the comprehensive application of these technologies, higher bandwidth, lower latency and wider coverage can be achieved, bringing a new network experience to users.

In addition, the introduction of 5.5G technology will also promote the popularization of high-tech applications such as smart cities, autonomous driving, and telemedicine. Having a reliable and fast network is essential for building smart cities. The popularization of 5.5G will provide a solid network foundation for smart transportation, smart security, smart home and other applications. High-speed, low-latency network connections are also necessary for the advancement of autonomous driving technology. The introduction of 5.5G will hasten the development and widespread use of autonomous driving technology. Telemedicine can achieve more efficient remote diagnosis and surgical guidance through 5.5G networks, improving the quality and efficiency of medical services.

To sum up, China Unicom and Huawei's breakthrough in 5G-A technology not only brings a better network experience to users, but also provides new impetus for future technology development. The achievement of this achievement marks China's once again leading position in the field of 5G technology, and also sets a new benchmark for the development of global 5G technology. More cutting-edge technologies should surface in the future, improving our lives and providing greater ease.