Summary

SRG just completed its 35th 5G benchmark study. For this endeavor we collaborated with Accuver Americas and Spirent Communications to conduct an independent benchmark study of 5G 4CC using T-Mobile’s commercial 5G network in rural South Carolina, where Ericsson the RAN infrastructure supplier.

Highlights of the Report include the following:

Our Thanks. We did this study in collaboration with Accuver Americas (XCAL-M and XCAP) and Spirent Communications (Umetrix Data). SRG is responsible for the data collection and all analysis and commentary provided in this report.

Our Methodology.  We used a Galaxy S23 smartphone to test the downlink performance in a cluster of 10 Gbps cell sites that had 1×180 MHz of Band n41, 2×20 MHz of Band n25, and 2×20 MHz of Band n71. We primarily did drive tests along the rural roads as well as in the suburban neighborhoods, which were ideal for a fixed wireless access (FWA) service offering.

FWA is for Real.  It wasn’t so much the “what” (1 Gbps average, 2.2 Gbps peak) or the “how” (5G 4CC), but the “where” that was impressive. Without question, there was far more 5G network capacity than the operator needed for mobile broadband, meaning the cell sites were recently upgraded to target FWA services to the surrounding homes and businesses. We discuss.

FDD-TDD CA.  In addition to looking at overall performance, we took the opportunity to look at the benefits of FDD-TDD CA, namely the use of a lower frequency 5G carrier as the primary cell to extend Band n41 coverage and improve throughput in poor coverage scenarios. We quantify the gains.

SRS-based Beamforming.  We revisit the benefits of SRS-based beamforming for improving end user data speeds and MU-MIMO in low mobility scenarios. We quantify the gains and the relationship between mobility and SRS accuracy.