Nokia tests 5G over C-Band network

Nokia is putting 5G New Radio through its paces in C-Band spectrum in Dallas, Texas and says that it successfully completed a series of over-the-air 5G tests and reached “stable peak throughput speeds” of more than 1 Gbps using its 5G AirScale portfolio. The hotly anticipated C-Band spectrum (3.7-4.2 GHz) is expected to be auctioned in December of this year to provide mid-band airwaves for 5G service, and Nokia said that deployments could come as soon as the first half of 2021. A lack of mid-band spectrum has been a weak spot in the U.S.’ 5G enablement strategy; the Federal Communications Commission is seeking to rectify that by allowing terrestrial wireless operations in the C-Band, which has historically been the province of satellite operators.