DOCOMO, Huawei Trial 5G IAB Technology

NTT DOCOMO of Japan and Chinese equipment manufacturer Huawei Technologies have announced the successful completion of 5G integrated access backhaul (IAB) technology trials using the 39GHz millimetre-wave (mmWave) spectrum. In a press release, DOCOMO notes that the field tests in the Minato Mirai 21 waterfront area of Yokohama (Japan) involved ‘wireless backhauling functionality between a 5G base station (IAB-donor) and a 5G relay node (IAB-node) using 39GHz signals, from where the IAB-node achieved wireless access with mobile user equipment (UE) via 39GHz signals’. According to the Japanese carrier, the trial confirmed that IAB can improve mmWave coverage and capacity, noting that throughput exceeded 650Mbps with a latency of just 1.6ms. Further, the cellco said that the IAB trial system ‘facilitates the use of high speed, low-latency 5G communication among tall buildings and on isolated islands or in mountain regions where laying fibre presents problems’. 3GPP is currently considering IAB technology as part of its 5G New Radio (5G NR) standardisation process, DOCOMO said. – Tele Geography