Jio and OnePlus Revolutionize Connectivity with India’s First 5.5G Devices
Device manufacturer OnePlus, in collaboration with India’s largest telecom operator, Reliance Jio, unveiled “India’s first 5.5G devices” at the OnePlus 13 Series Winter Launch Event on January 7, 2025. The flagship launch featured the highly anticipated OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R smartphones, packed with advanced AI capabilities for a lighter, smoother, and smarter user experience.
During the event, streamed globally, James Paterson, Senior Global PR Manager at OnePlus, highlighted the significance of this groundbreaking development. "The OnePlus 13 series are the first devices in India to feature 5.5G, thanks to our partnership with Jio. This cutting-edge technology allows your device to connect to three different network cells, potentially on separate towers, ensuring faster connectivity and enhanced performance. Now, staying updated with a cricket score is even faster," Paterson said.
The Impact of OnePlus Project Starlight
In December 2024, OnePlus launched Project Starlight, a dedicated initiative to introduce 5.5G support in India through the OnePlus 13 Series. This project promises an average speed improvement of 380 percent.
During the event, OnePlus showcased the remarkable speed of its 5.5G technology. Using Jio's network, the devices achieved downlink speeds of 1,014.86 Mbps on 5G-Advanced (5.5G) 3CC, compared to 277.78 Mbps on Non-3CC. Jio’s existing True 5G users already experience speeds of up to 1 Gbps on its Standalone 5G Architecture, setting the stage for 5.5G’s next-level connectivity.
Paterson further emphasized OnePlus’s commitment to network stability. “We’ve rigorously tested our devices in underground car parks, elevators, and crowded cricket grounds. The results show a significantly more stable connection compared to competitors,” he stated.
Superior Stability and Performance
OnePlus presented data highlighting the superior performance of its devices. Phone calls made in underground car parks were 22 percent more stable than on Pro Max devices and 30 percent more stable than flagship Ultra devices. WhatsApp calls showed remarkable improvements, with stability enhancements of up to 75 percent in crowded cricket matches compared to Pro Max devices and 66 percent over Ultra.
The Future of 5.5G Technology
5.5G, also known as 5G-Advanced, represents the evolution of 5G. According to telecom gear vendors, it offers higher speeds, lower latency, enhanced reliability, and intelligent connectivity. The standard, which began with 3GPP Release 18, builds on earlier releases and is expected to advance further through Release 21 by 2028.
Huawei’s insights reveal that 5.5G supports multi-carrier aggregation, achieving a 10-Gbps downlink rate, a 1-Gbps uplink rate, and a tenfold improvement in network capabilities. The company demonstrated these advancements during MWC Barcelona 2024, proposing that 5.5G will accelerate digital transformation across industries.
Nokia also underscores 5.5G’s ability to enhance uplink network coverage, addressing limitations in TDD configurations that prioritize downlink traffic. As 5.5G adoption grows, it is set to redefine connectivity standards and user experiences worldwide.
Through its partnership with Jio and its innovative initiatives like Project Starlight, OnePlus is not only introducing India to the future of connectivity but also setting a global benchmark for technological excellence.
