By: Staff Writer
January 30, Colombo (LNW): SLT-Mobitel has made history by conducting Sri Lanka’s first-ever trial of 5G-Advanced (5G-A), an enhanced version of fifth-generation (5G) wireless technology.
This landmark event, held on January 12 at SLT-Mobitel’s headquarters in Colombo 8, demonstrated cutting-edge advancements in telecommunications, achieving speeds exceeding 5 Gbps (gigabits per second).
The successful trial underscores the company’s leadership in digital innovation and its commitment to advancing Sri Lanka’s connectivity landscape.
Understanding 5G-Advanced Technology
5G-Advanced, often referred to as 5G-A, builds upon existing 5G technology by incorporating several improvements for better speed, efficiency, and reliability.
The trial used:3CC Carrier Aggregation – This technique combines multiple frequency bands to increase data transmission rates, ensuring smoother connectivity and higher speeds.
Massive MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) – A system that uses multiple antennas at both transmission and reception points, significantly improving network coverage and capacity.
1024QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) – A sophisticated method that allows more data to be transmitted over the same bandwidth, further enhancing speed and efficiency.
C-Band Spectrum – A range of mid-frequency radio waves that balance speed and coverage, making it ideal for next-generation mobile networks.
The trial was powered by advanced radio equipment from ZTE, a global telecom technology leader, and utilized a Xiaomi 14 Ultra smartphone for the demonstration.
A Leap Forward for Sri Lanka’s Digital Future
SLT-Mobitel’s Chief Operating Officer, Sudharshana Geeganage, emphasized that this achievement reinforces the company’s commitment to spearheading Sri Lanka’s digital transformation.
He highlighted the vast potential of 5G-A in revolutionizing industries such as healthcare, transportation, entertainment, and smart cities by enabling faster and more reliable communication networks.
Similarly, ZTE Sri Lanka’s CEO, Yang Min, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for collaborating with SLT-Mobitel on this milestone. He reaffirmed ZTE’s dedication to advancing telecommunications technology and strengthening digital connectivity in Sri Lanka.
Bringing 5G to the Public
Beyond this milestone trial, SLT-Mobitel has also launched a 5G pre-commercial trial network, allowing customers with compatible devices to experience 5G speeds in five major cities: Colombo, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Galle, and Jaffna. This initiative enables users to explore the potential of 5G technology firsthand.
Since 2019, SLT-Mobitel has been at the forefront of 5G development in Sri Lanka.
The company previously conducted South Asia’s first 5G trial deployment over a mobile network and was the first in the country to test a hybrid model of standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) 5G technologies.
Conclusion
SLT-Mobitel’s successful 5G-A trial marks a significant step in Sri Lanka’s telecommunications evolution.
By harnessing cutting-edge advancements in wireless technology, the company is paving the way for a more connected, efficient, and technologically advanced future.
This milestone signals the beginning of an era where ultra-fast, high-capacity networks will transform industries and improve digital experiences nationwide.
