Anritsu Achieves First 5G NR Rel-18 LTM Verification

Vienna, Austria – 2 June 2026 – ANRITSU CORPORATION is proud to announce its support for industry first*1 verification of 3GPP RAN5 Rel18 NR LTM testcases on its 5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR.

In mobile networks, the primary objective of handover is to ensure that user equipment (UE) remains continuously connected to the cell offering the best radio conditions. As users move, the network must transfer the UE from a serving cell to a neighbouring target cell with minimal interruption to ongoing data transmission and reception.

In current 5G deployments, handover is typically initiated by the base station via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message. As RRC operates at Layer 3 (L3), this procedure—commonly referred to as an L3 handover—introduces a brief service interruption. Even in well optimised networks, this interruption is typically in the range of 50–90 milliseconds. While acceptable for many broadband use cases, this latency becomes a limitation for emerging time critical communications (TCC) and extended reality (XR) services, where even short disruptions can degrade user experience.

To address this challenge, 3GPP Release 18 introduced Lower Layer Triggered Mobility (LTM), a new mobility mechanism that enables the network to trigger handover using Layer 2 signalling, based on Layer 1 measurements performed and reported by the UE. By leveraging lower layer information, the UE can synchronise in advance—both uplink and downlink—with a neighbouring cell designated as an LTM candidate cell.

This proactive approach significantly accelerates the handover process, reducing execution time, signalling overhead, and service interruption. As a result, LTM delivers more seamless mobility, supporting the stringent latency and reliability requirements of next generation 5G applications and paving the way for advanced services in high mobility and dense network environments.

Through this initiative, Anritsu is supporting the industry’s verification of LTM conformance and interoperability, helping accelerate commercial implementation of 3GPP Release 18 features.

“Support for 3GPP Release 18 NR Lower Layer Triggered Mobility test cases enables significantly faster and more reliable handover performance, which is critical for time‑sensitive and immersive 5G services,” said Daizaburo Yokoo, General Manager of Anritsu’s Mobile Solutions Division. “By enabling accurate verification of LTM functionality, Anritsu supports operators and device vendors in reducing handover interruption, lowering signaling overhead, and delivering a more seamless user experience—even in highly mobile scenarios.”

“We are proud that this milestone enables the industry to implement and validate advanced 5G mobility enhancements such as Release 18 LTM quickly and with confidence,” he added. “This milestone supports the evolution of 5G Standalone networks towards applications that demand ultra‑low latency and high reliability.”

*1: For NR LTM test cases submissions to 3GPP RAN5 (Anritsu survey, April 2026)

Product Outline

5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR

The 5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR is registered as Test Platform 251 with both the GCF and PTCRB. This platform supports 3GPP-based Protocol Conformance Test (PCT) and Carrier Acceptance Testing (CAT) of mobile devices incorporating Multiple Radio Access Technologies. It covers 5G NR in both Standalone and Non-Standalone modes, along with LTE, LTE-Advanced, LTE-A Pro, W-CDMA, NTN and now LTM. When paired with Anritsu’s OTA RF chamber MA8171A and RF converters, the ME7834NR supports testing in sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G NR frequency bands.

About Anritsu

ANRITSU CORPORATION (http://www.anritsu.com) is a global provider of innovative communications test and measurement solutions for 130 years. Anritsu’s philosophy engages customers as true partners to help develop wireless, optical, microwave/RF, and digital solutions for R&D, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance applications, as well as multidimensional service assurance solutions for network monitoring and optimization. Anritsu also provides precision microwave/RF components, optical devices, and high-speed electrical devices for communication products and systems. The company develops advanced solutions for 5G, M2M, IoT, as well as other emerging and legacy wireline and wireless communication markets. Headquartered in Japan, Anritsu has approximately 4,000 employees across its offices in the Americas, EMEA, Asia, and other regions worldwide.

For further information, please contact:

Enrico Brinciotti Edward Neale

Director - Engineering & Technology and Marcom Associate Director

Anritsu EMEA Napier Partnership Limited

Tel: +39 06 50997105 Tel: +44 (0) 1243 531123

Email: enrico.brinciotti@anritsu.com Email: ed@napierb2b.com

www.anritsu.com www.napierb2b.com