In the competition for 5G firsts, Verizon and Nokia have checked another achievement off the list with the first successful hand-off of a 5G New Radio (NR) signal to a receiver in a vehicle moving between two radio sectors.

The test was conducted at Nokia’s Murray Hill, N.J., campus and involved a vehicle equipped with a receiver and measurement gear traveling between two 5G NR radios on a Nokia building. The radios sent a data transmission on 28 GHz spectrum to the vehicle, and achieved seamless 5G NR layer 3 3GPP-compliant mobility handoff of the signal from one radio sector to the other.

While there’s no shortage of carriers and vendors claiming some sort of first, this announcement is a major milestone on the path to 5G, Verizon executives indicated in a statement.

“Unlike some of the incremental 5G technology announcements we’ve seen lately, tests like the one we conducted are significant advancements in the development of 5G technology,” said Bill Stone, VP of Technology Development and Planning for Verizon. “By taking these tests out of the lab and into the field, we’re replicating the experience users will ultimately have in a 5G mobility environment.”

Verizon, back in February, completed the first standards-based over-the-air call on licensed mmWave spectrum. T-Mobile, meanwhile, touted a 5G achievement with Nokia in June when it completed a 3GPP-compliant bi-directional data session in the 28 GHz band.

Verizon’s initial 5G deployments later this year will rely on fixed wireless access technology to provide next-generation in-home broadband using the operator’s proprietary 5GTF specification. However, the carrier plans to introduce 3GPP 5G NR standards-based mobile 5G soon after.  

“We are pleased to showcase the acceleration of the mobile capabilities in 5G,” said Marc Rouanne, president, Mobile Networks for Nokia. “Enhanced mobile broadband is one of the first services being delivered on Nokia’s end-to-end 5G Future X portfolio. As a result, we can help our customers meet their early 5G deployment schedules and initial coverage demands.”