In the latest slew of demonstrations of ever-faster data rates, operators around the world are working with both LTE-Advanced and 5G to leap ahead in the game of ‘mine’s faster than yours’. SoftBank is always prominent in these contests, and the Japanese operator spreads its favors between multiple suppliers. It was the turn last week of ZTE, which announced a partnership to trial 5G New Radio in 4.5 GHz spectrum – expected to be an important band in both Japan and China – across Tokyo. The two companies are already collaborating in various areas of pre-5G technology including trials of Massive MIMO, and have now extended the alliance to New Radio and to tests in real world conditions. “We have…