Japan’s SoftBank worked with Ericsson’s in-country division and Qualcomm on a network trial that used a handful of 5G technologies to drastically reduce wireless network latency, joining a growing number of wireless telecom operators putting efforts behind support for latency sensitive applications like extended reality (XR).

The specific technologies used by the trio included low latency, low loss, and scalable throughput (L4S), configured uplink grant, and rate-controlled scheduling, all of which are part of the 3GPP 5G specifications.

The test used parts of SoftBank’s commercial 5G standalone (SA) network in Tokyo, network components from Ericsson, and Qualcomm-powered smart glasses. The smart glasses used Wi-Fi to connect to a smartphone, which was connected to the commercial mobile network through designated 5G base stations. The smart glasses and smartphone exchanged data with application servers built on the internet.

Those combined efforts showed a 90% reduction in wireless link latency compared to a system devoid of the technology enhancements.

The test also used network slicing to control use of the enhanced 5G technologies specifically to the test device, showing the potential for granular control of those features to specific use cases.

SoftBank said the technologies could be used in support of new use cases, including improved user experience at large-scale events and the use of network slicing for new services.

The trial is the latest involving L4S technology, which was developed as a way to control network congestion.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based network operator e& and Ericsson late last year deployed the technology as part of an event demonstration.

Comcast earlier this year touted use of the technology to reduce latency on its cable broadband network. This implementation used L4S through the low-latency data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) from CableLabs.

T-Mobile US more recently launched L4S technology across its nationwide 5G SA network in support of low-latency applications. The carrier noted that it was also testing L4S for exposing real-time network data to help “partners and other innovators fine-tune their app experiences.”