Chongqing—China Mobile recently deployed the world's first 5G-Advanced (5G-A) commercial network in Hangzhou and aims to create the largest such network globally. Chongqing joins the initial 100 cities worldwide, embracing 5G-A commercialization, signaling a leap into the future of connectivity.

5G-A, or 5.5G, enhances the capabilities of standard 5G. It boasts superior network speed, greater throughput, and ultra-low latency, allowing for more devices to be connected simultaneously without compromising performance.

The Chongqing Municipal Communications Administration announced on April 22 that multiple operational 5G-A stations have been set up throughout the city. This progress positions Chongqing to achieve widespread commercial deployment of 5G-A technology by the end of the year.

A 5G-A sensing station near the Chongqing International Expo Center detected an unauthorized drone on April 18. Chongqing Mobile's systems tracked the drone's flight in real-time, providing updates on its distance, height, and speed until it halted 303.43 meters from the station and 329.45 meters above ground.

A Chongqing Mobile spokesperson emphasized the effectiveness of their 5G-A technology, stating, "The drone couldn't evade our system." This technology integrates communication and radar-like detection features, extending its monitoring capabilities beyond drones. 

"With 5.5G's distinctive sensing abilities, we can monitor low-altitude vehicles and track activities on roads and waterways," the spokesperson added.

The latest 5.5G technology incorporates triple-carrier aggregation and a deterministic network, significantly improving connection stability and reducing latency. For instance, it can achieve download speeds of approximately 4.2Gbps, nearly three times faster than current 5G speeds.

Broad applications are foreseen for 5.5G technology

"5G can't fully support the needs of high-end manufacturing, virtual reality, or logistics management," noted Zhou Xu, a 5G-A expert from Chongqing Mobile. 

Zhou explained that 5.5G could significantly improve these areas by offering more reliable network performance, which is essential for technologies that depend on consistent connectivity.

For instance, in high-end manufacturing, network delay variability can undermine the reliability of smart production lines. 5.5 G's deterministic network promises to minimize latency fluctuations to just one millisecond, greatly enhancing production stability and efficiency.

In virtual reality and augmented reality applications, 5.5G will enable smoother video playback, providing a much more immersive experience than what's currently possible under 5G.

Chongqing Mobile has upgraded numerous base stations to 5.5G and is gearing up for full commercial 5.5G services. The current emphasis is on implementing 5.5G in sectors such as low-altitude economy, traffic management, and vehicle-road coordinated systems.

"Starting this quarter, Chongqing residents can begin to enjoy the ultra-fast speeds of 5.5G by simply upgrading to compatible smartphones," stated Zhou.