NEC announced the successful completion of a Proof of Concept (PoC) trial with KT, a South Korea-based communications carrier, for a 5G wireless backhaul platform that uses E-Band spectrum (70-80GHz). The PoC was conducted at Phoenix Park Ski World in PyeongChang, South Korea, using KT's commercial mobile network infrastructure. KT aims to launch 5G trial services in 2018. This PoC is based on a collaboration agreement in the field of 5G networks signed between KT and NEC in August 2015.
KT aims to introduce radio transmission using E-Band spectrum in order to establish mobile backhaul networks for 5G services, especially in mountainous areas, where it is difficult to lay optical fibres. In this PoC, the iPasolink EX, NEC's ultra-compact microwave communications system that operates with E-Band spectrum, was used to interconnect KT's LTE base stations with wireless links.
