Many large vendors, start-ups and operators have been working on addressing the key challenge of using millimeter wave spectrum, above 20 GHz, for 5G connectivity – the short range that is achievable in these high frequencies using standard and affordable technologies. One breakthrough was announced last week by Samsung, which reached 1.75Gbps downlink and 61.5Mbps uplink over a 10-kilometer millimeter wave connection, in a trial with Australian wholesale fiber operator nbn. The vendor noted this demonstrates the expanded reach possible at such high frequencies when there is line of sight, with potential for widespread broadband coverage in rural areas of suitable terrain. Samsung used eight component carriers (8CC) to aggregate 800 MHz of mmWave spectrum. Ray Owen, CTO at nbn,…