Ericsson, Telstra, and Qualcomm shatter 5G uplink speed record

Ericsson, Telstra, and Qualcomm have set a new uplink speed record, achieving 516 Mbps on a live sub-6GHz 5G Standalone (SA) network. This latest accomplishment surpasses the previous milestone of 447 Mbps set in October 2024.

Consumer and enterprise demands for reliable and faster uplink capabilities continue to increase. The growing reliance on applications such as live streaming, video conferencing, and real-time AI-driven data processing has made improved upload speeds a cornerstone of 5G development.

The new uplink speed record was made possible through a combination of technologies. A single 50MHz 5G SA carrier operating on the 2600MHz spectrum band was leveraged alongside Uplink Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) Single User Multiple Input, Multiple Output (SU-MIMO) technology.

Ericsson’s RAN Processor 6672 and Radio 4466 provided the infrastructure backbone, while Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System delivered the high-performance capabilities required to achieve this breakthrough.

Emilio Romeo, Head of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand, said: “This achievement reflects the strength of our latest Radio Access Network hardware and software solutions and highlights our commitment to enabling superior network performance for communication service providers worldwide.

“As we continue to collaborate with Telstra and Qualcomm Technologies, our focus remains on delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower operators to provide faster, more reliable, and more consistent network experiences for their customers.”

Real-world 5G uplink speed benefits

While the record uplink speeds achieved in this demonstration won’t immediately translate to such high upload capabilities for individual consumers, the technology powering the achievement offers clear benefits.

Consumers with compatible devices in areas where Telstra has adopted these advancements will see improved performance, with enhancements in speed and reliability during real-world use cases.

Sri Amirthalingam, Wireless Engineering Executive at Telstra, commented: “Achieving this uplink speed record demonstrates our relentless pursuit of innovation to deliver enhanced network performance for our customers.

“Together with Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies, we are bringing transformative 5G capabilities to life, enabling greater consistency of performance, reliability, and speed when it matters most.”

Future implementations – including advancements like 3GPP Release 16 Uplink Transmit Switching and Uplink Carrier Aggregation – will build on this foundation by ensuring even stronger uplink performance across Telstra’s 5G network.

Taken together, these developments will further reinforce the consistency and reliability of user experiences—laying the groundwork for a host of data-driven applications.

The power of partnership

This success exemplifies how collaboration between industry leaders drives telecoms innovation. By pooling resources and expertise, Ericsson, Telstra, and Qualcomm were able to push the limits of existing 5G technologies.

Durga Malladi, SVP and GM of Technology Planning & Edge Solutions at Qualcomm, said: “We are excited to partner with Telstra and Ericsson to set a new 5G uplink speed record. The UL SU-MIMO technology, driven by our Snapdragon X80, represents a notable advancement in network uplink performance and capacity.

“This achievement underscores our dedication to providing innovative 5G solutions that address the increasing everyday data demands of modern applications.”

Beyond the development of experimental technologies, the achievement highlights real-world implications with far-reaching effects.

As use cases for 5G continue to grow – from telemedicine and AR/VR applications, to industrial IoT and cloud gaming – improved uplink speeds will provide the bandwidth necessary to maintain seamless experiences for end users.

Shaping the future of 5G

The uplink speed of 516 Mbps on a live 5G SA sub-6GHz network is a leap forward not just in terms of raw speed but also in improving the quality of uplink performance.

Uplink performance, though often overshadowed by the emphasis on download speeds, is becoming more central as global industries rely more on connected devices and two-way data functionalities.

The speed record is a testament to how focused research and development in telecoms can improve real-world applications, ensuring global 5G adoption evolves to meet contemporary needs while empowering consumers and enterprises.

(Photo by Iván Díaz)

See also: Vodafone achieves first space video call using regular smartphones

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Tags: 5G, 5g sa, 5g standalone, connectivity, ericsson, mobile, Networks, qualcomm, record, speed, telecoms, telstra, uplink