Orange Spain Hits 1Gbps In 4.5G Demo, 50 Gbps On Fibre Network

Orange Spain has taken advantage of its appearance at MWC 2019 to demonstrate that its 4.5G network can reach a theoretical top download speed of nearly 1Gbps thanks to carrier aggregation in the 1,800 MHz, 2,600 MHz and extended 2,600 MHz (50MHz) bands. In a statement, the operator said it used Sony’s Xperia X1 smartphone for the trial.

In the fixed broadband segment, Orange conducted a demonstration of 50G PON technology to prove that speeds of 50Gbps can be reached on its fibre network, double the speed achieved a year earlier. The operator showcased the technology with an immersive demo that allowed users to enjoy 3D TV content via sensors and eye tracking technology rather than 3D glasses.

Orange’s Spanish subsidiary also announced that it’s continuing apace with trials of 5G technology in the cities of Barcelona, Seville, Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, Malaga, Valencia and Bilbao. The operator is testing 5G technology across numerous use scenarios covering areas such as robotics, tourism, augmented reality, connected cars and virtual classrooms. It reportedly paid EUR 132 million for 60 MHz of spectrum in the 3.6-3.8 GHz band for 5G use in July, having previously acquired 40MHz in the 3.5 GHz band back in 2016. ―Telecompaper