Nokia and MediaTek achieve world
first with Carrier Aggregation delivering 3.2 Gbps end-user speeds
- Successful validation test
achieves first 3 Component Carriers sub-6GHz carrier aggregation combining
FDD and TDD spectrum; Utilizes Nokia’s AirScale 5G Standalone Carrier
Aggregation solution with commercial hardware and software
- The test combined 210MHz of
spectrum from three component carriers to achieve 3.2Gbps downlink speeds
Nokia and MediaTek announcedthat they have achieved a world’s first by
successfully aggregating 5G Standalone (5G SA) spectrum using 3 Components
Carrier (3CC) aggregation. This increases the sub-6Ghz 5G spectrum utilization
by combining 210MHz of FDD and TDD spectrum more efficiently to reach 3.2Gbps
peak downlink throughput. The move will enable communication service providers
to deliver higher throughputs and better coverage to more customers.
To achieve this performance, Nokia supplied its
latest AirScale equipment including its AirScale 5G SA architecturepowered by its energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip (SoC)
technology as well as its cloud-native 5G core. MediaTek provided its new M80
5G modem which combines mmWave and sub-6 GHz capabilities onto a single chip as
well as the user equipment testing platform.
Carrier Aggregation combines frequency bands for
higher rates and increased coverage, delivering superior network capacity by
maximizing the spectral efficiency of 5G networks. Frequency division
duplex (FDD) in 600MHz (n71) is a lower frequency band that provides a wide
coverage area, improving cell edge performance. Time-division duplex (TDD)
in 2600MHz (n41) has higher bandwidth and capacity. The combination of these
spectrum bands supports a range of 5G deployment scenarios including indoor as
well enhanced outdoor coverage. The high-band sub-6Ghz spectrum bands support
high-capacity and extreme mobile broadband capabilities.
JS Pan, General
Manager, Wireless Communication System, and Partnerships at MediaTek, said: “This test
demonstrates the importance of carrier aggregation in enabling mobile operators
around the world to deliver best-in-class speed and capacity to their
subscribers. The combination of Nokia’s AirScale portfolio and our technology
boosts the possibilities of spectrum assets and 5G networks. We look forward to
continuing to partner with Nokia to advance the 5G ecosystem.”
Mark Atkinson, SVP,
Radio Access Networks PLM at Nokia, said: “Nokia continues to drive the 5G ecosystem by
delivering new and important innovations. This validation test demonstrates how
mobile operators can maximize their spectrum allocations and deliver enhanced
coverage and capacity to subscribers. Nokia is committed to pushing the
boundaries of 5G and delivering industry-leading performance. High-capacity
Carrier Aggregation combinations can be achieved in both 5G Standalone (SA) and
Non-Standalone (NSA) based on our scalable Airscale Baseband architecture.”
Source: Nokia news announcement
