Apple Seeks Permission To Start Testing 26GHz & 39GHz Bands For Commercial 5G Use

Apple has sought government approval to test 5G technologies for commercial use. Specifications have not been entirely hammered out by the Federal Communications Commission, however, Apple would test the 28GHz and 39GHz bands that it previously got FCC approval.

Apple will operate the two 5G bands in two places, Digital Trends reported. The first is on Yosemite Drive, Milipitas, California. The second is on Mariani Avenue near Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California. Apple reportedly has employed engineers with experience in developing satellites before testing since the 28GHz band is specifically for ground-to-space transmission.

The 5G experiments would be held for only 12 months. The testing phase would end before the expected rollout of the iPhone 8 in late 2018. It would be ahead of Sprint’s launch of its 5G networks by late 2019 which is about the same time frame as other carriers.

What causes the delay is the final decision on the 5G spec sheet which will only happen when industry partners gather. However, carriers are already into the marketing phase. For instance, AT&T announced its 5G Evolution service in Austin, Texas, after which several cities will follow.

The Verge reported that Apple will test 5G Internet speeds that are achievable only with mmWave or millimeter wave technology. Starry, an Internet startup, is using this technology to try and deliver to homes gigabit Wi-Fi. Apple will try to assess cellular link performance of 5G in the direct path and multi-path environments to provide the tech giant engineering data relevant to its operation of gadgets on wireless carriers of future 5G networks.

Once 5G networks are functional, according to Computerworld, entire movies should download in seconds, it will enable high-bandwidth computations such as gaming, and it will support billions of connected devices expected to be in use by 2025.