NTT Docomo will launch fast 6.6Gbps 5G service in August with the Sony Xperia 1 VI | Infinium-tech

Japanese carrier NTT Docomo has announced that it will launch a super-fast 5G SA service from August 1. The so-called New Radio-Dual Connectivity service (NR-DC) will be deployed on three frequency bands: two in the sub-6GHz range (3.7GHz and 4.5GHz) and one in the mmWave band (28GHz).

With two 5G base stations transmitting and receiving simultaneously, devices will be able to achieve download speeds of up to 6.6Gbps. You’ll need the right devices for this and there are currently only three on the supported list.

If you want to test the new NR-DC service on day one then the Sony Xperia 1 VI is your only option, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold6 will also have support, although this will only start in November. You will also need the right subscription and SIM card, a software update for the phone may also be required.

The 6.6Gbps service will initially be rolled out in Tokyo and parts of Kanagawa Prefecture. Once available, it will be the first 5G service available in Japan. Right now, Docomo is offering download speeds of up to 4.9Gbps, which it introduced in August 2022.

Docomo plans to gradually expand NR-DC to new regions and will introduce more mmWave-compatible devices. mmWave is necessary because the 6.6 Gbps speed is achieved by combining a sub-6 GHz and a mmWave link.

Anyway, this won’t necessarily be the world’s fastest 5G service, we’ll have to wait for tests. For example, several Chinese manufacturers in collaboration with China Mobile are advertising 5.5G support with 10Gbps downlink speeds. In real-world testing, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra achieved 5,132Mbps. This is better than the Vivo X100 which reached 3,619Mbps in another test. Hopefully, we’ll see how the Xperia 1 VI performs once the new service goes live.

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