BT is joining forces with Huawei to conduct 5G research at BT Labs in Ipswich, England, and other areas in the U.K.
The two companies said they will specifically look at network slicing and network security as well as conduct research on a new air interface that would connect devices to base stations. “This partnership with Huawei will see us explore the potential uses and make sure 5G is designed to meet the needs of our consumer and business customers throughout the world,” said Gavin Patterson, CEO of BT in a statement.
Huawei is a key partner for BT. The two have collaborated on technology since 2005 when BT agreed to use Huawei’s equipment for its optical backbone network.
But this isn’t BT’s only 5G trial. In August BT said it was working with Nokia to collaborate on 5G and create potential customer proof of concept trials. The company also said it was working with Nokia in millimeter wave (mmWave) radio and convergence, as well as ultrafast mobile broadband.