Optus and Nokia reach 3.5Gbps in upper 6GHz spectrum 6G trial

Optus and Nokia ran a 6G trial on a live Sydney mobile site, reaching 3.5Gbps download speeds in upper 6GHz spectrum. The test ran on an existing Optus mobile site, next to a live 5G network.

A MediaTek-powered test smartphone paired with Nokia’s 6GHz massive MIMO antenna produced the 3.5Gbps peak download figure, according to the companies. At that speed, Optus says a two-hour HD film would download in a matter of seconds, with capacity for up to 140 simultaneous 4K video streams on the same connection.

Behind that number sits 200MHz of upper 6GHz spectrum bandwidth, paired with a massive MIMO antenna array built from 768 elements. That is considerably denser than the array Optus currently runs on its 3.5GHz 5G band. The companies describe the download result as a record for the upper 6GHz band on a smartphone test device.

Reusing existing network infrastructure

Outdoor coverage testing found the upper 6GHz band, matched with the advanced antenna technology, produced a footprint similar to the existing 5G 3.5GHz band. That points toward deploying future 6G services without a full rebuild of tower and antenna infrastructure.

Indoor testing told a different story, focused less on distance and more on how in-building equipment might need to change to carry a working 6G signal indoors.

A robotic dog joined the field testing too. Optus and Nokia used an AI-powered robotic dog platform to measure indoor mobile coverage automatically, a method the companies say hasn’t been applied to 6G network design work before now. The pair argue the approach could speed up network planning and cut down on the measurement errors that come with manual site surveys.

Regulators, governments, and industry bodies worldwide are weighing how to allocate upper 6GHz spectrum for future mobile networks. Demand keeps climbing from AI applications, video services, cloud computing, and a growing count of connected devices. Optus says the trial results will feed into that debate through international standards work at the ITU-R and 3GPP.

Sri Amirthalingam, CTO of Optus, frames the trial as part of a longer research programme aimed at shaping the technology, standards, and spectrum frameworks carrying networks from 5G to 6G.

“This trial is an important milestone in Optus’ long-term 6G research program and helps us better understand how future mobile networks can be designed to meet Australia’s unique connectivity needs,” Amirthalingam said.

“Achieving 3.5Gbps using upper 6GHz spectrum demonstrates the significant opportunity this band could provide for future networks as demand for data-intensive applications such as AI services, immersive video, cloud applications, and connected devices continues to grow.

“As networks become increasingly AI-native, that enhanced capability will unlock a new generation of AI-powered experiences, from smarter digital assistants that can understand their environment, to more immersive education and real-time support for frontline workers.”

Sydney test bed for what comes next globally

Standards work through 3GPP and spectrum allocation decisions through bodies such as the ITU-R run years ahead of any handset landing in a retail store. What Optus and Nokia have built is a physical test bed in Sydney, and the pair intend to keep using it for further 6G research rather than treat this as a one-off demonstration.

Mark Atkinson, Head of Radio Networks, Mobile Infrastructure at Nokia, explained: “This trial with Optus demonstrates the potential of upper 6GHz spectrum to deliver the high capacity and performance that future networks will require, while also validating how existing infrastructure can evolve towards 6G.

“At Nokia, we see AI and connectivity becoming increasingly intertwined, with AI-native networks and AI-RAN enabling operators to deliver greater efficiency, better customer experiences, and the platform required for AI-powered applications at scale.

“Through continued innovation and collaboration with Optus, we are advancing connectivity through AI-driven network innovation, helping shape the future of mobile communications and supporting Australia’s leadership in next-generation digital and AI technologies.”

A peak of 3.5Gbps on a single test device, at one site, next to a controlled deployment, doesn’t tell an operator what throughput looks like across a full metro network with thousands of concurrent users sharing the same 6GHz carrier.

For network operators and government policymakers tracking Australia’s spectrum settings, the coverage-footprint finding carries more weight than the headline speed figure. If upper 6GHz genuinely matches the reach of the existing 3.5GHz band at scale, operators face a different cost calculation for 6G build-out than a band demanding new site infrastructure from scratch.

See also: AT&T says satellite D2D will complement mobile networks

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