Turkcell and Huawei have achieved a global breakthrough in wireless communication by demonstrating a Full Duplex Radio Link over the E-band (80 GHz) spectrum with a record speed of 50 Gbps. The test, conducted in Türkiye, marks the first time such a solution has been successfully deployed in the field, allowing simultaneous transmission and reception of data on the same frequency. The result supports real-time connectivity for up to 10,000 simultaneous 5G users on a single link.
The new Full Duplex Radio Link technology addresses growing bandwidth demands driven by data-intensive applications such as video streaming, AR, and low-latency use cases. Turkcell’s deployment uses an advanced integrated antenna structure and interference prevention algorithms to boost spectral efficiency and overcome traditional transmission constraints. The innovation plays a key role in laying the groundwork for future 5G backhaul networks, particularly in dense urban environments and geographically challenging regions.
Turkcell’s CTO, Prof. Dr. Vehbi Çağrı Güngör, emphasized the strategic importance of the milestone in preparing Türkiye’s digital infrastructure. Huawei echoed the sentiment, highlighting the partnership’s contribution to the country’s digital transformation and broader socioeconomic development.
- First global test of Full Duplex Radio Link in the E-band
- Achieved 50 Gbps data rate on a single microwave link
- Supports up to 10,000 concurrent 5G voice and data users
- Enables simultaneous transmission and reception on same frequency
- Key enabler for high-capacity, low-latency 5G backhaul infrastructure
“We aim to provide fast, sustainable, and efficient connectivity across broad coverage areas, from rural zones to geographically challenging regions,” said Prof. Dr. Vehbi Çağrı Güngör, Turkcell CTO. “This test is a concrete reflection of our vision to prepare Türkiye’s digital infrastructure for the future.”