Mobile device delivers fibre-like wireless connectivity

The results of this relationship includes: the NETGEAR Mobile Router MR1100, based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon X16 LTE modem along with Qualcomm WiFi solutions, which is the first consumer end device capable of reaching Gigabit Class LTE download speeds up to 1Gbps; and Telstra's Gigabit Class LTE network enabled by Ericsson. Together, they create a breed of mobile applications and experiences for immersive virtual reality, near-instant access to cloud storage and services, incredibly fast downloads of multimedia content and more. With delivery of the final NETGEAR Mobile router design, Telstra will now complete comprehensive device, network and user testing ahead of commercial launch in the coming months.

"Achieving the world's first Gigabit Class LTE download speeds between a mobile device and commercial ready network is another industry achievement towards the availability of Gigabit LTE services," said Serge Willenegger, Senior Vice President, Qualcomm Technologies. "Qualcomm Technologies has long been a leader in LTE, pioneering many of the building blocks for 3G and 4G and now paving the way to 5G. We're excited to celebrate this milestone with our partners and to demonstrate our leadership in the commercialisation of key technologies that will be foundational elements of future 5G deployments."

NETGEAR has worked with Qualcomm Technologies to integrate the Snapdragon X16 LTE modem – announced at Qualcomm Incorporated's annual Analyst Day in February this year, and is coupled with Qualcomm WiFi solutions to offer Gigabit class performance – into the NETGEAR Mobile Router MR1100. Gigabit Class LTE download speeds are achieved through a combination of 3x carrier aggregation, 4x4 MIMO on two aggregated carriers plus 2x2 MIMO on the third carrier, and 256-QAM higher order modulation. The arrival of Gigabit Class LTE download speeds can help OEMs create a class of mobile devices that can deliver fibre-like download speeds wirelessly, exciting consumers and expanding opportunities for new experiences and revenue streams.

"Since our founding in 1996, NETGEAR has led the industry in providing the world with the best-in-class connectivity experience," said Andrew Green, Vice President of mobile network products for NETGEAR. "As the pioneer in creating the world's first Gigabit Class LTE mobile device, NETGEAR is proud to deliver incredibly fast fibre-like connectivity – wirelessly. NETGEAR is redefining what a mobile router can be and the experiences it can deliver."

As the first LTE network in the world to support over-the-air data download speeds up to 1Gbps, Telstra's Gigabit Class LTE network sets a standard for wireless connectivity. The network utilides Telstra's long-standing tradition of innovation, as well as key network infrastructure equipment and software from Ericsson, to achieve these remarkable download speeds.

"We pride ourselves on our connectivity expertise and we continue that tradition today by completing the first commercialisation of a Gigabit Class LTE network and device," said Mike Wright, Telstra's Group Managing Director Networks. "With the world's first Gigabit Class LTE network, we have substantially improved our network capacity and increased real-world LTE download speeds, while also gaining a distinct advantage over competitors as we can now offer an entirely new class of LTE service."

"Telstra's commercial ready Gigabit Class LTE network and device is an important milestone as it paves the path to 5G," said Per Narvinger, Head of Product Line RAN, Ericsson. "Many of the techniques enabled by Ericsson technology to achieve these ultra-high speeds, such as the use of multiple spectrum bands, advanced MIMO antenna technology, higher order modulation scheme, as well as Ericsson Lean Carrier, are critical to making 5G a reality."