The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) has developed a technology that allows 100 people to use stable communication at a speed of 40 Mbps simultaneously with a small cell the size of the palm of the hand even in a dense environment where communication is not smooth. Expectations are high that this will further improve data transmission speeds in specialized 5G networks and enhance network stability.

ETRI announced on the 4th that it has succeeded in developing 5G small cell base station software that provides speeds of up to 4 Gbps while guaranteeing user service quality.

This performance is expected to be widely used in communication networks that require high service quality, such as smart manufacturing, smart factories, and defense networks, as it is the world's best.

The 5G small cell base station software developed by ETRI supports a download speed of 4 Gbps by utilizing quality of service (QoS) technology and dual connectivity technology.

Ucast, Qualcomm, Contela, Hanwha Systems, and SK Telecom participated as joint research institutions in this study.

When this technology is commercialized, 100 people can be connected simultaneously with palm-sized small cells even in dense environments where communication is not smooth. You can enjoy stable communication at a speed of 40 Mbps.

While existing base stations cover wide areas, small cells have the characteristics of providing high-speed, high-quality data in a narrow range.

This is expected to enable continuous, high-speed communication in indoor environments.

Thanks to ETRI's service quality assurance technology, the quality of special services such as video calls, real-time streaming, and robot remote control can be stably maintained even when multiple users use the service simultaneously.

In addition, by applying dual connectivity technology utilizing 5G millimeter wave (mmWave) small cells, data transmission speed and network stability were improved.

The study included achievements such as advanced dual-connectivity technology, support for 4x4 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) in the sub-6GHz band, small cell network auto-healing technology, and user location-based energy-saving technology.

Through this technology, ETRI aims to increase the competitiveness of domestic companies by providing superior technology at a lower cost than foreign products.

Through international joint research with Qualcomm, ETRI has independently developed small cell communication software that can be used in commercial environments.

Last December, it completed verification of interoperability with domestic and foreign 5G terminals, making commercialization possible.

It is expected that this technology will create new business models and secure cost competitiveness compared to existing foreign equipment.

ETRI's technology was selected as the best project in the 10 best industrial development fields of ETRI's representative achievements in 2024 and was listed among the 100 best national achievements in 2023.