Ericsson, in collaboration with T-Mobile and Qualcomm, begins XR trials on 5G Standalone network

Ericsson, in collaboration with T-Mobile and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., has launched XR trials in T-Mobile’s San Diego 5G commercial network. The trials show the potential of XR technology in boosting user experiences and driving innovation in the telecoms industry.

The XR trials aim to validate several key aspects:

Network readiness: Ensuring seamless XR experiences on a commercial T-Mobile network with 5G SA deployments.

5G Advanced features: Including network slicing that supports 5G features such as Uplink Configured Grant, Low Latency, Low Loss and Scalable Throughput (L4S), and advanced schedulers.

Device capabilities: The trials use AI immersive smart glasses powered by Snapdragon® AR2 Gen 1 Platform, tethered to 5G Snapdragon® Mobile platform, both from Qualcomm Technologies, with distributed spatial compute and low latency features. It utilizes Hololight’s XR streaming service to maximize device and infrastructure capabilities.

Ericsson is deploying its 5G Advanced software portfolio to enable remote and locally rendered AR visuals, bringing the industry closer to realizing rich AR and XR experiences in wide-area 5G networks. These lightweight AR glasses represent a potent use case that can enhance user experiences and drive traffic volume.

This trial underscores the commitment of Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies, and T-Mobile to push the boundaries of 5G technology, paving the way for the next generation of immersive experiences.

Sibel Tombaz, Head of Product Line Cloud & Purpose-built 5G RAN at Ericsson, says: “Ericsson’s 5G Advanced software is a game-changer for the latest slim AR glasses. It delivers high downlink and uplink speeds, low latency for sharp visuals, real-time information, and seamless hands-free operation. By enabling innovative applications like Extended Reality over a reliable, secure, and high-performing network, we are transforming the way people interact with the world.”

John Saw, Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at T-Mobile, says: “This pioneering trial showcases how T-Mobile’s 5G Standalone network, enhanced by advanced capabilities like network slicing and low-latency optimizations, is unlocking the full potential of 5G Advanced. With our network’s proven readiness and strength, we are excited to power a new wave of immersive experiences, delivering unparalleled Extended Reality experiences to our customers.”

Ziad Asghar, SVP & GM of XR at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. says: ”We are excited to be working with Ericsson and T-Mobile. These XR trials are demonstrating the potential of XR and 5G technology working together to highlight the value of distributed spatial compute and low latency on-device features, which are powered by Snapdragon XR platforms. By utilizing distributed spatial compute capabilities, we are helping expand the horizons of what is possible in augmented reality and smart glasses.”