--- markdown_generated_at: "2026-10-14" title: "Unleash the full 5G potential with mmWave." url: "https://www.qualcomm.com/research/5g/5g-nr/mmwave" description: "Learn how Qualcomm designed 5G mmWave to benefit consumers and operators with improved throughput, performance, and reduced latency." canonicalUrl: "https://www.qualcomm.com/research/5g/5g-nr/mmwave" --- # Unleash the full 5G potential with mmWave. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/qc_5gmmw_logos?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) The abundant spectrum available at millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency bands above 24 GHz can deliver extreme capacity, ultra-high throughput and ultra-low latency. At Qualcomm, we made 5G mmWave possible in commercial 5G systems and continue to drive the technology evolution in this decade and beyond. ![Light blue envelope icon](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/blue-newsletter_image?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) ## Stay informed with our 5G and wireless technology newsletter. [Sign up](https://www.qualcomm.com/invention/technologies/wireless/signup) RETURN ON INVESTMENT ## 5G mmWave helps realize significant return on investment. The improved user experiences and satisfaction for business and consumers, day-to-day, leads to significant monetization potential and new opportunities for operators. Find out from these studies about the economic benefits and cost-effectiveness of deploying 5G mmWave, covering different countries and deployment scenarios including dense urban, indoor enterprises, and fixed wireless access (FWA). ![Graphic displaying cover of report](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/how-mmwave-value-proposition?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Consumer 5G: How the mmWave value proposition can address pain points This report aims to help better understand the mmWave value proposition for consumers by answering some of the key questions. What problems does it solve? How much do consumers value it? And how would they want to access it? [Download the full report](https://www.qualcomm.com/support/contact/forms/consumer-5g-how-the-mmwave-value-proposition-can-address-pain-points-reg) ![Graphic displaying cover of report](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/what-they-want-where-they-want-it?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Consumer 5G: what they want, where they want it, and how it impacts churn Having established some of the day-to-day issues consumers face in the earlier report, this report looks at where consumers want 5G mmWave, what they want from it, and how this impacts their loyalty to a given operator. [Download the full report](https://www.qualcomm.com/support/contact/forms/consumer-5g-what-they-want-where-they-want-it-and-how-it-impacts-churn) ![Graphic displaying cover of report](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/how-much-users-would-pay-for-mmwave?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Consumer 5G: how much users would pay for mmWave This report quantifies the extent to which consumers are willing to pay to obtain the experiences they really want from 5G mmWave. [Download the full report](https://www.qualcomm.com/support/contact/forms/consumer-5g-how-much-users-would-pay-for-mmwave-reg) ![Graphic displaying cover of report](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/bell-lab?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### The business imperatives of 5G mmWave Bell Labs Consulting's analysis focuses on the critical question of 5G mmWave business attractiveness and its unique value propositions, explaining where to deploy it and the return of these investments. [Download the whitepaper](https://www.qualcomm.com/support/contact/forms/the-business-imperatives-of-5g-mmwave-reg) [Watch the webinar](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYHhXuoPDqU) ![Graphic displaying cover of report](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/intelligence?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### The economics of mmWave 5G This study by GSMA Intelligence assesses the total cost of ownership and finds how mmWave is a cost-effective and competitive deployment strategy across different countries and deployment scenarios. [Download the full report](https://www.qualcomm.com/support/contact/forms/the-economics-of-mmwave-5g-reg) ## Videos ![Graphic displaying thumbnail of video](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/waves-of-change?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Waves of change With high-speeds and powerful connectivity, 5G mmWave is unleashing new possibilities for mobile communications. From Finland to Vietnam, discover how it is already transforming societies around the world. [Watch videos](http://qualcomm.ft.com/) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/gsma-5g-mmwave-summit-icon?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### GSMA 5G mmWave Summit | MWC Barcelona 2023 Hear from industry experts from China, Europe, Japan and North America on the latest developments in 5G mmWave around the world, with on-demand viewing of the 5G mmWave Summit at MWC Barcelona 2023 [Watch video](https://www.gsma.com/futurenetworks/resources/on-demand-5g-mmwave-summit-at-mwcb-2023/) ![Graphic displaying thumbnail of video](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/5g-mmwave-at-mwc?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### GSMA 5G mmWave Summit | MWC Las Vegas 2022 Understand how mmWave is unlocking the full potential of 5G, and to hear about deployment best practice from some of the industry’s leading experts from this on demand viewing of the 5G mmWave Summit at MWC Las Vegas 2022. [Watch video](https://www.gsma.com/futurenetworks/resources/5g-mmwave-summit-at-mwc-las-vegas-2022/) REAL-WORLD PERFORMANCE ## Proven performance. Learn from independent tests and analysis about the true capacity, speeds and performance that 5G mmWave is delivering today across real-world commercial network rollouts – and how this translates into superior experiences for subscribers. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/5g-mmwave-is-alive-and-will-in-tokyo?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) SIGNALS RESEARCH GROUP #### 5G mmWave Performance in Tokyo, Japan: Benchmark Study This study by Signals Research Group examines the coverage, performance and capacity of 5G mmWave in Tokyo, Japan where the technology is widely deployed and user density is high. [Download the whitepaper](https://www.qualcomm.com/support/contact/forms/5g-mmwave-performance-in-tokyo-japan-reg) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/capn-crunch_research-paper?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) SIGNALS RESEARCH GROUP #### How 5G NR mmWave provides critical additional network capacity Signals Research Group (SRG) conducted a benchmark study to quantify the incremental benefits of 5G NR mmWave when deployed in an operator’s existing network, including a network which also supports mid-band 5G NR. [Download the whitepaper](https://www.qualcomm.com/support/contact/forms/how-5g-nr-mmwave-provides-critical-additional-network-capacity-reg) [Watch the webinar](https://players.brightcove.net/1414329538001/BJv5wEFt_default/index.html?videoId=6296100968001) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/v2_all-things_icon?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) SIGNALS RESEARCH GROUP #### mmWave: New Use Cases and Insights from Real-World Deployments This study details the performance of 5G mmWave from real-world testing done in commercial networks in the United States. Results include insights from 5G mmWave in the enterprise, 4K multi-screen content, fixed wireless access, and increased downlink and uplink network capacity, thanks to support for up to 8 downlink and up to 2 uplink mmWave component carriers. [Read the report](https://www.qualcomm.com/support/contact/forms/mmwave-new-use-cases-and-insights-from-real-world-deployments-reg) [Watch the webinar](https://players.brightcove.net/1414329538001/BJv5wEFt_default/index.html?videoId=6210453579001) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/5G-mmWave-white-paper?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) GSMA #### 5G mmWave Guide The GSMA 5G mmWave Guide explains how 5G mmWave technology works, some applications and addresses questions about the safety of the technology. It has suggestions on how to explain these topics to those who may be unfamiliar with cellular technologies. Also includes a fact sheet that provides high-level info on 5G mmWave, the benefits and safety. [Download the whitepaper](https://www.qualcomm.com/support/contact/forms/5g-mmwave-guide-a-resource-for-operators-reg) OnQ Blog [5G mmWave making waves in Japan](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2022/07/5g-mmwave-making-waves-in-japan) Jul 13, 2022 [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G) [mmWave](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=mmWave) OnQ Blog [How 5G mmWave is transforming mobile experiences for everyday users](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2021/12/how-5g-mmwave-transforming-mobile-experiences-everyday-users) Dec 8, 2021 [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G) [Connectivity](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Connectivity) [Smartphones](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Smartphones) OnQ Blog [5G mmWave network advantage – How to measure it right](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2021/12/5g-mmwave-network-advantage-how-measure-it-right) Dec 14, 2021 [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G) [mmWave](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=mmWave) PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE ## mmWave is essential for the 5G future. 5G mmWave has many benefits: 5G mmWave unlocks improved capacity and multi-Gigabit throughput to allow for cost-efficient unlimited data plans. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/mmwave-blog-and-presentation?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### mmWave — The missing piece of the 5G puzzle mmWave is an essential ingredient and a complementary building block of a high-performance 5G system. 5G mmWave can deliver truly differentiated services, thereby making it an investment that all mobile operators should include as part of their 5G network deployment planning. [Read the blog post](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2021/10/what-missing-piece-5g-puzzle-how-plan-future) [Download the presentation](https://www.qualcomm.com/content/dam/qcomm-martech/dm-assets/documents/mmwave_is_the_missing_piece_of_the_5g_puzzle_0.pdf) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/mmwave_blog-document-video?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Deploying mmWave to unleash 5G’s full potential There are different deployment considerations for various 5G mmWave networks. We have captured the results from years of end-to-end system simulations and field tests provide you with better understanding on how 5G mmWave can perform. [Read the blog post](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2020/11/deploying-mmwave-unleash-5gs-full-potential) [Read the presentation](https://www.qualcomm.com/content/dam/qcomm-martech/dm-assets/documents/deploying_mmwave_to_unleash_the_full_5g_potential_web.pdf) TECHNOLOGY EVOLUTION ## Leading the mmWave evolution in 5G Advanced and beyond. We continue to advance 5G mmWave technologies to bring new and enhanced capabilities and efficiencies. The future evolution of 5G mmWave brings new level of system performance and expands mmWave to new devices, use cases, and verticals. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/variety-4?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### What’s in the future of 5G millimeter wave? Five key 5G NR technologies to enhance mmWave system performance and deployment efficiency in 3GPP Release 16 and beyond. [Read the blog post](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2021/01/whats-future-5g-millimeter-wave) [Download the technology presentation](https://www.qualcomm.com/content/dam/qcomm-martech/dm-assets/documents/what-s-in-the-future-of-5g-millimeter-wave.pdf) [Watch the webinar](https://content.rcrwireless.com/qualcomm_future_5G_mmwave_webinar) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/videos-3?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### MWC 2022: Qualcomm drives mobile mmWave enhancements Our demonstration showcases the many noteworthy benefits of 5G mmWave technology, so that users can experience the true speeds high-performance 5G systems offer. [2022 MWC Demo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP0x1nq-Gsg&list=PLADNcabi-P9YUf9gOu4dxlXlR9K6q-wSR&index=4) [5G Mobile mmWave Technology Evolution video](https://www.qualcomm.com/videos/5g-mmwave-technology-evolution) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/documents-mmwave-3?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Overcoming numerous wireless challenges to mobilize mmWave We have solved the "impossible challenge” to mobilize mmWave for wireless communications, overcoming mmWave's significantly higher path loss, sensitivity to blockage, and RF complexities that make meeting the cost and power constraints of mobile devices extremely difficult. [Read the blog post](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2019/02/track-solve-another-impossible-challenge-mobilizing-mmwave-smartphones) COMMERCIALIZATION ## Commercializing 5G mmWave in devices across segments and tiers. 5G mmWave builds on a mature technology and device ecosystem. Get to know how Qualcomm® Snapdragon ™ 5G Modem-RF Systems and Mobile Platforms, with support for mmWave across 8-, 7-, 6- and 4-series, deliver breakthrough wireless performance for a new era of connected experiences. RESOURCES ## Unlock the full connectivity potential of mmWave technology. Understanding millimetre wave (mmWave) technology is critical to realizing the full potential of fundamental connectivity technologies like 5G and wireless. Explore these GSMA resources to master mmWave. ![Graphic displaying document cover](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/image_1_0-2?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### GSMA 5G mmWave Factsheet **Master the basics of 5G and mmWave** Modern 5G operates in the 3.5GHz frequency band that allows for higher capacity and lower latency. To achieve even higher frequency, longstanding mmWave technology can be utilized for next generation connectivity. Pairing 5G with mmWave provides massive capacity and even lower latency to unlock the full 5G experience. [Learn more about 5G and mmWave](https://www.gsma.com/futurenetworks/resources/gsma-5g-mmwave-factsheet/) ![Graphic displaying document cover](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/image_2-5?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### GSMA Case Study **5G and mmWave transforms the sports spectator experience** Technology and sports united when Verizon deployed 5G mmWave networks in 25 NFL stadiums across the US. Fully connect fans watched the action from multiple angles on their handsets and experienced AR games and services. Buying food, beverages, and merchandise was easier than ever before and Verizon's low latency 5G Ultra-Wideband network enabled fans to enjoy real-time statistics. [Read the full case study](https://www.gsma.com/futurenetworks/resources/case-study-how-5g-is-transforming-sports-for-spectators/) ![Graphic displaying document cover](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/image_3-2?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### GSMA Case Study **High-capacity 5G could transform subway travel** South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) seeks to improve the Wi-Fi of Seoul's subway trains by connecting internet access points with 5G networks. By harnessing 5G networks operating in high-frequency mmWave spectrums, MSIT expects to achieve a technological first by enabling subway passengers to watch 4K-resolution videos on their mobile devices. [Read the full case study](https://www.gsma.com/futurenetworks/resources/case-study-how-high-capacity-5g-could-transform-subway-travel/) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/primer-for-business?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### 5G mmWave course for business professionals From the Qualcomm Wireless Academy - learn about the importance of mmWave and its role in the professional landscape. This course is geared toward business professionals who need to understand how this crucial component of 5G is impacting the business world. [Learn more](https://qwa.qualcomm.com/course-catalog/mmWave-Primer) ## Additional Qualcomm mmWave resources. ### Documents | Title | Format | Date | |---|---|---| | Fierce Wireless eBrief - 5G release 16+ | Download (PDF) | May 29, 2018 | | Making 5G NR a Commercial Reality A unified, more capable 5G air interface | Download (PDF) | Apr 6, 2018 | | Expanding the 5G NR ecosystem and roadmap in 3GPP Rel-16 & beyond | Download (PDF) | Apr 6, 2018 | | Making 5G NR a reality | Download (PDF) | Sep 15, 2016 | | 5G research on Waveform and Multiple Access Techniques | Download (PDF) | Jun 6, 2016 | | Fierce Wireless eBrief - Indoor 5G NR mmWave deployment opportunities | Download (PDF) | Jun 20, 2019 | ### Documents | Title | Format | Date | |---|---|---| | 5G NR Release 15 The technology foundation of the 5G evolution | Download (PDF) | Dec 5, 2022 | | Further enhancing 5G NR mobile broadband design | Download (PDF) | Jul 2, 2020 | | 3GPP Release 17 messaging campaign objectives | Download (PDF) | Jul 2, 2020 | | Rel-18 presentation | Download (PDF) | Jul 2, 2020 | | 5G research on Waveform and Multiple Access Techniques | Download (PDF) | Jun 6, 2016 | | Fierce Wireless eBrief - Indoor 5G NR mmWave deployment opportunities | Download (PDF) | Jun 20, 2019 | ## Videos Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.