China Mobile has teamed up with tests and measurement company Agilent Technologies to collaborate on the development of 5G communications systems.
The operator's China Mobile Research Institute (CMRI) subsidiary signed a memorandum of understanding with Agilent in Beijing this week.
Under the collaboration, Agilent will support CMRI's 5G R&D programs and provide test and measurement equipment for next-generation 5G systems.
CMRI's 5G research will be focused on technical aspects including large-scale antenna systems, full-fuplex radio and energy as well as spectral efficacy.
Agilent will develop testing products including new simulation and measurement solutions for large-scale antenna systems, channel measurement and modeling, and signal validation for the new physical layer design.
"With the strong support from Agilent in providing us with the latest measurement instruments and superb professional knowledge, CMRI will be able to establish the much needed hardware prototype platform for next-generation greener and softer wireless communication systems," CMRI chief scientist Dr Chih-Lin I said.
The development work for 5G is starting to ramp up, with major industry players including Nokia, NTT DoCoMo, Aircom and Ericsson all having announced 5G research projects within the past eight months. South Korea's government has also committed $1.5 billion towards 5G R&D.