Reliance Jio 5.5G network: What is it and what it means for users

Reliance Jio

Reliance Jio has introduced 5.5G technology in India, marking a significant step forward in mobile connectivity. Touted as an evolution of 5G, the 5.5G network is also known as 5G-Advanced and it is aimed at offering faster speeds, lower latency, and enhanced network reliability over the regular 5G network. This upgrade promises to redefine how users experience mobile networks in India, with speeds reaching up to 1Gbps for True 5G users and beyond.

What is the 5.5G network?
5.5G is an advanced iteration of 5G, developed under the 3GPP Release 18 standard. It builds on earlier 5G standards to offer higher data rates, broader coverage, and improved uplink connectivity. With multi-carrier aggregation, 5.5G networks can achieve peak downlink rates of 10 Gbps and uplink rates of 1 Gbps, enhancing both personal and industrial use cases.

Jio is not alone, operators from across the world have been testing 5.5G capabilities. For instance, Zain Kuwait achieved speeds of 10 Gbps during trials, and Vivacom in Bulgaria reported similar success. In India, Jio’s deployment aims to set a new benchmark, with users already benefiting from faster speeds and more stable connections in challenging environments like underground parking lots and crowded events.

How it improves user experience
Jio’s 5.5G network introduces multi-cell connectivity, allowing devices to connect to multiple network cells simultaneously, even across different towers. This ensures faster data transfer and better call quality, particularly in areas with high network congestion.

5.5G also brings enhanced capabilities for industries, such as enabling deterministic wireless networks for critical applications.