Cambridge Broadband Networks (CBNL), the market provider in licensed point-to-multipoint (PMP) microwave and millimetre wave, announced that it has become a member of the 5G Innovation Centre (5GIC) at the University of Surrey.

The company joins a growing number of industry leaders working with the 5GIC’s internationally renowned academics to develop the next generation of mobile and wireless communications.

CBNL will share its world-class R&D expertise to collaborate with the 5GIC on research projects that will become an international showcase for future 5G capabilities. As part of their joint research initiatives, CBNL will leverage its leading PMP technology between 26GHz and 39GHz to demonstrate how increasing levels of spectrum reuse can provide a transformational path to multi-gigabit 5G network speeds.

Following the identification of 26GHz as a “pioneer band” for 5G in Europe and the Federal Communications Commission’s pivotal decision to open up high band spectrum for 5G in the U.S., an increasing number of operators and regulators have identified millimetre wave as key to deliver their 5G ambitions.

With over 150,000 radio deployments in more than 50 countries, including 25 pre-5G fixed wireless networks in the U.S., CBNL’s expertise will play a significant role in helping the 5GIC define and develop the 5G infrastructure that will underpin the way we communicate, work and live our everyday lives in the future.

Lionel Chmilewsky

Lionel Chmilewsky, CEO, CBNL, said: “CBNL is excited to join the 5GIC, and look forward to playing an active role in maximising the opportunities of millimetre wave and accelerating 5G technology. We’ve been working with closely with operators over the last 18 months to deploy some of the first pre-5G fixed wireless networks in the U.S. and have seen first-hand the multi-gigabit potential this high band spectrum holds.

“Our R&D centre has become a global leader in developing the most advanced pre-5G PMP millimetre wave technology in the world, which is widely deployed by operators to deliver the most cost effective path for Gigabit+ capacities. We’re delighted to share this expertise and collaborate with the 5GIC on research that will play a seminal role in advancing 5G.”

Professor Rahim Tafazolli, head of the 5GIC, added: “We’re delighted to welcome CBNL to the 5GIC. CBNL has contributed significantly to the advancement of millimetre wave technologies and shown true innovation in both R&D and commercial deployments.

“The 5GIC has already identified 700MHz, 3.5GHz and 26GHz as priority areas of study and look forward to working with CBNL, alongside our other members, to assess and develop new technologies. CBNL’s expertise will undoubtedly help us progress towards the next generation of wireless technology and our 5G future.”

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