The companies will launch the network during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week.
According to Ericsson, this will be the first commercial mmWave network in the country. Qualcomm says it will use the network to showcase the broad range of 5G mmWave equipment which supports the band.
The network will use Telefónica’s 1 GHz spectrum holdings in the 26 GHz band. The operator is the only operator in the country which has acquired a full 1 GHz of spectrum in this band.
Ericsson says mmWave is the optimum way to achieve high speeds and high capacity to deliver the best 5G experience in crowded areas. The company believes mmWave 5G will play an important role in Fixed Wireless Access, digitalization, Industry 4.0, and connected vehicles.
The adoption of mmWave 5G has been slow in Europe. According to 5G Observatory data, only 30% of Member States have assigned the band to mobile operators.
