SLT-MOBITEL Trials 5G-Advanced for the First Time in Sri Lanka

Reiterating its technological leadership in mobile technology, SLT-MOBITEL, the National ICT Solutions Provider, trialed 5G-Advanced (5G-A) for the first time in Sri Lanka, marking a historic moment by showcasing the next generation technology in Sri Lanka.

The demonstration held on January 12, 2025, showcased SLT-MOBITEL’s leadership in telecom innovation, successfully conducting Sri Lanka’s first 5G-A trial and achieving blazing speeds of over 5 Gbps.  The milestone trial, held at the SLT-MOBITEL headquarters in Colombo 08, showcased the company’s commitment to technological excellence and industry leadership. The trial leveraged advanced ZTE radio equipment and Xiaomi 14 Ultra handset, utilizing 3CC Carrier Aggregation, Massive MIMO and 1024QAM modulation technology utilizing the C-band spectrum.

This breakthrough demonstrates the transformative power of advanced 5G technology, which promises ultra-fast speeds, enhanced reliability, and greater network capacity, unlocking a new era in mobile communications.

Commenting on this monumental milestone, Sudharshana Geeganage, Chief Operating Officer of Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd., said, “The successful trial of 5G-Advanced reinforces SLT-MOBITEL’s commitment to leading Sri Lanka into the next phase of the digital revolution. We are excited to explore the opportunities these new technologies bring for industries and individuals alike, which will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the nation’s digitization initiatives and enhance our contribution toward a greater Sri Lanka.”

5G Advanced is an evolution of the existing 5G technology. It leverages advanced carrier aggregation techniques, massive MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output), advanced modulation techniques (1024QAM) and AI-driven network optimizations to deliver superior performance. These enhancements pave the way for a host of new possibilities in various industries, from healthcare and transportation to entertainment and smart cities.

On behalf of ZTE Corporation, which partnered with SLT-MOBITEL to achieve this historic milestone, Yang Min, Chief Executive Officer of ZTE Sri Lanka, stated: “This collaboration further cements ZTE’s role as a global leader in telecommunications innovation and highlights our dedication to advancing the digital landscape in partnership with key industry players such as SLT-MOBITEL. The demonstration showcases the technical and product superiority of our company. It also underscores our commitment to supporting SLT-MOBITEL in delivering cutting-edge technology to the people of Sri Lanka.”

SLT-MOBITEL has also deployed a 5G pre-commercial trial network, allowing customers to experience 5G technology firsthand. Customers with 5G-ready devices compatible with SLT-MOBITEL’s 5G pre-commercial trial network can now experience the transformative power of 5G in five cities: Colombo, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Galle, and Jaffna.

Since 2019, SLT-MOBITEL Mobile has spearheaded 5G trial deployments countrywide through public demonstrations. In April 2019, SLT-MOBITEL Mobile successfully showcased South Asia’s first 5G trial deployment over a mobile network, connecting a mobile smartphone to its 5G trial network with record speeds. Further, SLT-MOBITEL was the first to demonstrate 5G SA & NSA hybrid trial deployment in Sri Lanka demonstrating advancements in 5G technology.

To check device compatibility and get more information, SLT-MOBITEL customers can visit https://5g.sltmobitel.lk. Customers without a 5G-compatible device can visit select SLT-MOBITEL outlets to experience 5G technology firsthand.