In a major next generation small cell technology advancement, Shanghai Mobile, a subsidiary of China Mobile, has deployed the world’s first intraband TD-LTE-Advanced small cell carrier aggregation in its commercial network.
The technology is being shown live at Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2015 using Nokia Flexi Zone Base Station connected to the operator’s network to achieve 220 Mbps peak downlink data transmission rates.
Operator and user benefits
With China’s LTE market rapidly expanding, operators are looking for efficient new ways to handle the growing data traffic to improve network performance and enhance customer experience. The live demo at Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) shows the commercial feasibility of aggregating TD-LTE carriers on small cells. Peak data transmission rates of 220 Mbps allow a user to download a 30-minute full-HD video in less than 25 seconds.
Summary of Nokia Networks solutions and services implemented in Shanghai Mobile’s network:
•HetNet solution including a TD-LTE Flexi Zone Base Station capable of aggregating 2 x 20 MHz carriers
•Deployed at Shanghai New International Expo Center, the Flexi Zone Base Station complements existing DAS systems to boost performance in the building’s busiest hot spots
•HetNet planning and optimization services to ensure best performance of small cells and macro network
Meng Xin, Vice General Manager of Network Optimization Center, Shanghai Mobile, said: “Now commercially available, this innovative technology helps us use the available spectrum in our network more efficiently so we can continue to provide high-capacity 4G services to our large subscriber base.”
Mark Atkinson, Vice President Small Cells Business Line, Nokia Networks, said: “After demonstrating the first LTE-Advanced small cell carrier aggregation in a Nokia Networks lab, we are happy to support the first ever commercial deployment of this technology that helps increase subscriber peak data rates for even better performance in hot spots. LTE-Advanced carrier aggregation features are available, as software upgrades, for all our Flexi Zone micro and pico base stations.”
