VIVA launches live 5G demonstration
MANAMA: Live streaming of 4K video, self-driving cars and remote surgeries using robotics are just some of the possible future applications of 5G or 5th generation mobile connectivity which will be available in Bahrain in the first quarter next year, it has emerged.
VIVA Bahrain chief executive Ulaiyan Al Wetaid told the GDN on the sidelines of the launch of the kingdom’s first live and public 5G network demonstration at City Centre Bahrain’s Central Galleria that Bahrain’s youngest licensed mobile operator was leading the way in the roll-out of the new technology with work already in progress at many sites around the country.
“VIVA Bahrain has been building the infrastructure for the launch of 5G and this (the showcase) is our first public site showing we will be proactive in providing the service,” he said.
“We expect to launch the service commercially early next year and it will contribute in increasing the speed and performance of wireless networks.”
VIVA Bahrain has already started its 5G deployment and the demonstration stand is the first site for 5G.
The demo, now open to the public, is a showcase of the life-changing speeds and capabilities of 5G for homes and businesses with a number of 5G-enabled devices available for public trials such as 4K UHD TV and virtual reality (VR) goggles.
