Yesterday, Qualcomm introduced the second generation of its 5G modem, the Snapdragon X55. The X55 modem can use 5G in a variety of frequency ranges and allows speeds of up to 7 gigabits per second. It supports both 5G standalone networks and 5G non-standalone networks. The Snapdragon X55 modem is also backwards compatible with LTE, UMTS and GSM (4G, 3G and 2G) in the initial phase of 5G.
As the successor to X50, the Snapdragon X55 modem is already Qualcomm's second 5G modem. The X55 modem is prepared for 4G / 5G spectrum sharing, allowing network operators to easily switch from LTE to 5G. The supported frequency ranges range from the millimeter-wave range (above 26 GHz) to the frequency range below 6 GHz. The range between 3.4 and 3.8 GHz used in Germany and Europe to launch 5G is also supported by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 modem is also up to date in the LTE network. With LTE Cat22, up to 2.5 Gbps can be used in the fourth-generation mobile network. The prerequisite for such high speeds is of course that the network operator uses sufficient spectrum and bundles this via carrier aggregation. Even the highest possible modulation and the use of 4 × 4 MIMO significantly increases the speed.
First commercial handsets with the new Snapdragon X55 5G modem will hit the market in late 2019, according to Qualcomm. For the first generation of 5G smartphones, which will probably appear in mid-2019, the modem comes a little too late. It might still be worthwhile to wait a bit and not to access the very first 5G smartphones, because the first generation of new mobile modems is experience quite energy hungry and quickly outdated.
To updates its GigaCube and brings faster speeds, Vodafone presents a new 4G LTE WiFi Router named Gigacube Cat19. The Gigacube Cat19 is from the Huawei B818-260 router. The new version Gigacube comes in the LTE network on CAT19 and thus achieves a maximum download of up to 1.6 Gbit/s. The predecessor was already at 300 Mbit/s out of air. If you are looking for maximum performance, the Gigacube Cat19 may be a good alternative. Then you may want to know what has been improved in the Gigacube Cat19. Below you will see the details:
Features and Specifications of the Huawei B818-260
One of the disadvantages of the previous Vodafone Gigacube was that it was limited to 300 Mbps with LTE-CAT6 in the download. The network of Vodafone can deliver but much more! Up to half a gigabit is possible with the new Gigacube tariffs. This circumstance has now been resolved with the new version GigaCube CAT19. As the name implies, the new Huawei B818 LTE Cat19 Gigabit CPE supports LTE-Advanced Por Cat19 and gets a maximum download of up to 1.6 Gbit/s. Responsible for this is the new HiSilicon Balong V7R65 SoC (System on a Chip). Also in the upload makes the new heart much more. Here you made a significant jump from 50 to 150 Mbit/s.
Note: Vodafone has sent some devices for the first customers, where the package "Gigacube 1600" stands. It is of course the same device, only with other outer packaging.
Significantly gained weight
Also visually, a lot has happened. The new cube is now edgier and looks much more modern. The color is still white, a bit reminiscent of the design artists of Apple from Cupertino. If the predecessor came with 366 g, so the CAT19 version with 700g is anything but a lightweight. However, this should not be a problem in daily use, as it is not intended to use in a companion for a hiking tour. Also, there is no battery, so you always have to rely on a power outlet.
Friendly Connection
If you want a broad range of connectivity, you will enjoy the new edition. Of course, WiFi is on board and transmits both at 2.4 and 5 GHz to 802.11 a/b/g/n and ac, The MIMO capability (multi-antenna technology) has also been improved. So now 3 × 3 instead of 2 × 2 is used, which significantly increases the data throughput. Even wired, there are more options available with the Gigacube CAT19. Since there was only one Gigabit Ethernet port before, you now have access to two. Very pleasing is the USB port, which is now new with it and allows the connection of external media. Last but not least, the new GigaCube also offers connection options for external antennas via two TS9 ports. Internally, however, already four antennas perform their service, so that 4 × 4 MIMO is possible via LTE, as it specifies CAT19.
Less users could be connected
In one point a small downgrade was made. Whereas previously up to 64 simultaneous devices were possible, the number is now reduced to 32. However, this is unlikely to play a major role in daily use. It will rarely happen that such a number of devices should be served. If so, then the two Ethernet ports are a good alternative to connect another router. However, this extra technology also means a slight increase in power consumption. However, the increase from 20 to 24 watts is moderate.
The mass storage GigaCube CAT19 is not intended. With only 512 MB of Flash, it uses the same completely for his operating system. However, the 256 MB memory is very generous for this device class. The daily tasks should hardly be able to fully exhaust these. Even with the software features, there is nothing to complain about. Thanks to the IPv6 and IPv4 dual stack, it is well prepared for the future. Defining a web interface including the possible firewall rules is also part of the equipment package.
Difference to the predecessor(Huawei B528s-23a VS Huawei B818-260)
The new Gigacube router from 2019 primarily offers a more modern LTE modem, which is also well-equipped for future upgrades in the 4G network of Vodafone. The Gigacube of the first generation, however, is designed "only" up to 300 MBit. In addition, the CAT19 box already supports LTE at 700 MHz. Otherwise, the differences are rather small. Both offer WLAN up to 802.11ac and two TS9 sockets for external antennas. The GigaCube CAT19 also provides an additional Gigabit LAN port.
Technically, the 2019 version of the Gigacube offers much more than its predecessor. However, to benefit from the performance advantages, you have to live in regions where Vodafone already offers LTE-Advanced Pro. In rural areas you will hardly benefit from a change. If you would use the Vodafone Gigacube Cat19 in other countries, you have to buy the unlocked Huawei B818 LTE Cat19 giagcube CPE.
At the Global Mobile Broadband Forum, Huawei announced the first modem routers ("CPE") for the new 5G cellular standard. The company has two devices in preparation, one for the C band (frequency range between 3.5 and 5 gigahertz) and one for the millimeter wave range between 26 and 28 gigahertz. Although the two 5G routers still have some drawbacks such as an enormous energy consumption to fight, yet it is likely to be the first commercially available 5G devices.
Huawei 5G router for C-band feature
Compared to a current LTE router like Huawei B618 , the Huawei 5G WiFi router for use in the C-band between 3.5 and about 5 GHz is quite large and heavy, but the first 5G devices are safe to handle. According to the manufacturer, the Huawei 5G router should be equipped with two RJ45 Gigabit LAN ports and WLAN 802.11ac (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). The 5G C-Band Router is backward compatible with the 4G LTE standard and comes with a 2T4R antenna configuration, which means: data can be received on four antennas while sent via two antennas.
Huawei 5G router for mmWave feature
The Huawei 5G router for the millimeter-wave frequency range between 26 and 28 gigahertz is visually hardly distinguishable from the sister model for the C-band. But there is one important difference: millimeter waves can hardly or never enter buildings, so a line of sight to the 5G transmitter is required. This is done by an outdoor unit (ODU) integrated with the entire modem technology. The indoor unit (IDU) features all the connections and the WLAN technology. The indoor and outdoor units are connected via LAN cable, the power supply of the outdoor unit is realized via Power over Ethernet (PoE).
High energy consumption from the Huawei 5G router
As can be seen on the data sheets shown above, both Huawei 5G devices have an enormous power consumption, at least under load. The C-band model consumes up to 120 watts, while the mmWave model even up to 146 watts. So when the 5G router working, the power consumption is more like a gaming notebook rather than a router. For comparison: common LTE routers such as the Huawei B715 LTE router consume up to 12 watts during heavy load, ie one-tenth of them.
However, Huawei emphasizes that only the first generation of the 5G modem will have such high energy consumption. It is also likely that commercially available 5G routers will have a newer chipset and thus lower power consumption.
