Bell And Nokia Partner Up To Perform First Canadian 5G Tests

Canadian mobile users should expect a speed increase with today’s news that Bell Canada has been working with Nokia Corp. to successfully demo 5G network technology. Just don’t expect it anytime soon, according to the communications company.

“Bell’s strategic focus on driving broadband network and service innovation has been key to our transformation into Canada’s wireless leader. The success of the first 5G trial means we are well positioned to lead the way to the next generation of mobile technology,” said Stephen Howe, Bell’s Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President. “Bell is working closely with Nokia and our other partners in North America and worldwide to create the network, device and application ecosystem required to ensure Canadians will be able take full advantage of the 5G opportunity.”

Expected to be widely available within the next 5 to 7 years, 5G will provide significantly faster data speeds than current 4G networks and more capacity to meet the demands of mobile customers for broadcast video and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, including connected vehicles and city-wide IoT solutions. Bell is a member of the Next Generation Mobile Networks consortium (ngmn.org), the global body defining requirements for the international 5G ecosystem.

“We are excited to demonstrate a pre-commercial 5G system with Bell, which represents the first in Canada,” said Alex Giosa, Country Senior Officer, Canada, at Nokia. “We have had a long and productive history with Bell, and look forward to our continued joint work and testing to discover what 5G technology can offer Bell’s Canadian subscribers.”

“Canada’s ability to compete in a digital world will be defined by our culture of innovation,” said the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. “This successful trial of next-generation 5G here in Canada is one example of how our country can become a global centre of innovation by being early adopters of emerging technologies.”

Bell leads Canadian communications providers in R&D investment and operates wireless innovation centres in Dorval, Québec; Mississauga; and Toronto. Offering Canadians access to the largest 4G wireless coverage footprint in the country, Bell’s LTE network has been acknowledged as Canada’s fastest by multiple independent analysts.

Agencies/Canadajournal