en.Wedoany.com Reported - Chilean telecom operator Wom, in collaboration with Qualcomm, has launched a 5G Advanced technology pilot on its existing 5G network in the country. The pilot introduces 1024 QAM modulation technology to increase the amount of information carried per wireless signal unit, enhancing mobile network data transmission capacity and overall performance without requiring additional hardware upgrades to the existing 5G infrastructure.
The significance of this test lies in the fact that Chilean operators are beginning to unlock the potential of existing 5G networks through software and modulation capabilities. As 5G networks enter large-scale deployment, operators face not only the challenge of expanding coverage but also the need to improve network efficiency based on existing sites, spectrum, and equipment. 1024 QAM is a higher-order modulation method that, under favorable wireless channel conditions, allows each symbol to carry more bits, thereby increasing peak data rates and spectrum utilization efficiency. For users, this technology is expected to improve download experiences in high-end terminals, hotspot areas, and optimal network environments; for operators, it can enhance network capacity and return on investment without large-scale hardware replacement.
Wom's pilot is based on existing 5G infrastructure, which holds practical value for the Latin American market. Many operators have already invested heavily in building 5G networks, but the costs of a new round of hardware expansion and spectrum procurement are high. If 5G Advanced features can continue to unlock the capabilities of existing networks, it will help lower the upgrade threshold. Qualcomm's participation also indicates that the synergy between terminal chips, network capabilities, and operator networks is becoming a key link in the deployment of 5G Advanced.
Chile is one of the early adopters of 5G commercial services in Latin America, with mobile broadband, enterprise connectivity, remote work, digital government, and industrial applications all placing higher demands on network quality. As video traffic, cloud applications, and the number of mobile terminals grow, relying solely on basic coverage is insufficient to meet data demands in high-density areas. Technologies like 1024 QAM are better suited for key scenarios with good network quality, improving network throughput performance by enhancing transmission efficiency and laying the foundation for subsequent low-latency applications, enhanced mobile broadband, and industry-specific network services. 5G Advanced will further introduce smarter network scheduling, energy efficiency optimization, and enhanced uplink capabilities, helping operators expand 5G from consumer-level connectivity to more enterprise and industry applications.
Next steps focus on measured rate performance in the pilot area, terminal compatibility range, stability under different network environments, and whether Wom will extend 1024 QAM capabilities to more cities and user scenarios. If test results meet expectations, Chile's 5G network upgrade will shift from "adding new site coverage" to "enhancing existing network capabilities." For the Latin American ICT market, such pilots demonstrate that 5G Advanced does not have to rely solely on new network construction but can also be advanced through existing infrastructure, terminal chip capabilities, and software feature upgrades, offering operators a more flexible network evolution path.
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