Vodafone pursues 5G Downlink Enhancement with 1024 QAM

### Vodafone Pursues 5G Downlink Enhancement with 1024 QAM

Vodafone Group has achieved significant downlink data rate improvements in a trial of 1024 QAM technology conducted in collaboration with Qualcomm and Xiaomi. This effort is part of Vodafone’s ongoing quest to enhance the performance of its 5G infrastructure.

The company announced that 1024 QAM technology can deliver data rates of up to 1.8Gb/s, potentially increasing capacity by 25% under optimal conditions. The trial explored the technology’s ability to transmit video and data from the Radio Access Network (RAN) to a 5G device. Trials were conducted in Germany and Spain, utilizing the 3.5GHz band and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra smartphone equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 5G Modem RF system.

In Germany, Vodafone reported a 20% improvement in throughput on its commercial 5G network over distances up to 600 meters. At a research center in Spain, the operator nearly achieved the 1.8Gb/s downlink data rate.

Vodafone anticipates that 1024 QAM technology will become more widely available in 2025. The company suggested that it could be particularly useful in small cells, supporting multiple customers in busy areas such as shopping centers or high streets.

Earlier this year, the trio also recorded improved uplink data rates in their trials. However, Vodafone emphasized that only customers with the latest smartphones would benefit from these advancements.

Vodafone’s Chief Network Officer Alberto Ripepi stated that the tests will allow subscribers to “benefit from a head start” once compatible handsets are available. He added that Vodafone will be positioned to “offer our technical expertise to partners and other providers through our new commercial model.”

Dino Flore, VP for Technology at Qualcomm Europe, highlighted that the collaboration is pushing the boundaries of 5G capabilities. Guoquan Zhang, GM of Xiaomi’s Software Department, noted Xiaomi’s role as an innovator in this field.