M1 boosts network speed to 1Gbps with Nokia’s LAA solution

M1 Limited (M1) and Nokia have completed the Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) small cells trial and achieved close to 1Gbps network download speed.

With the high adoption of advanced smart devices in Singapore, customer demand for data continues to grow, driven by faster networks and high-bandwidth mobile applications for social media, as well as video and music streaming services. M1 continues to invest in expanding capacity and delivering superior network performance to support this growing demand for data services.

During the trial, Nokia’s advanced LAA Air Scale small cell, which aggregates up to four carriers and combines up to four multiple transmission paths, achieved a download peak speed close to 1Gbps.

Leveraging on the advanced interworking capabilities of LAA and precise planning and design carried out by M1’s engineers and Nokia’s service experts, the solution provides 4.5G technology in the unlicensed 5GHz spectrum band, which complements well with M1’s existing licensed band and is able to co-exist with WiFi networks using the same 5GHz spectrum.

M1’s Heterogeneous Network (HetNet), the largest in Singapore with more than 500 integrated small cells and WiFi access points deployed at traffic hotspots throughout Singapore including MRT/ LRT stations, bus interchanges, major commercials buildings and malls and other popular outdoor areas, will also be enhanced with Nokia’s LAA capabilities.

With the advanced LAA solution, M1 is able to improve data bandwidth at high-traffic hotspots, minimise network congestion and continue to deliver high data speed to M1 customers at crowded places. The deployment will also enrich customers’ experience by ensuring a seamless coverage and uninterrupted mobile service across M1’s cellular and WiFi network.

Denis Seek, Chief Technical Officer, M1 said, “Through this latest trial with our long-term technology partner Nokia, we reiterate our commitment in applying latest technologies to provide our customers with the best possible cellular and WiFi experience on the move. M1 customers will continue to enjoy an even better user experience through M1’s advanced 4G+ mobile network.”

“We are thrilled to achieve another new technology milestone that differentiates M1 as an innovation leader in the region. With this live network trial, Nokia has proven once again that our technology is helping M1 build the networks of the future, transforming and enriching the overall end-user experience.” said Mark Atkinson, Head of Small Cells, Nokia.

Earlier this year, M1 and Nokia announced plans to conduct Nokia’s first 5G small cell trial in Southeast Asia to showcase demand-driven 5G use cases in selected vertical industries, which marked an important milestone in M1 and Nokia’s joint efforts in staying at the forefront of technology developments. Last year, M1 together with Nokia, also deployed Southeast Asia’s first nationwide commercial Narrowband-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network, to catalyse smart solutions innovation, supporting Singapore’s transformation into a Smart Nation.