Bangkok--3 Mar--Ericsson
NBN Co and Ericsson complete 3.5 GHz LTE TDD trial in Australia
• Successful LTE TDD trial in 3.5 GHz band shows ecostytem maturing
• Introduction of 3.5 GHz LTE technology provides NBN Co the option to fully utilize existing spectrum holdings
• 3.5GHz spectrum provides good solution for capacity expansion to satisfy future demand
NBN Co and Ericsson have successfully completed an LTE TDD trial in the 3.5 GHz band in Australia. Testing addressed both 3.5GHz radio coverage and fixed-wireless service performance.
The trial was carried out at two sites using a 20 MHz TDD carrier in the 3.5 GHz band. Wireless termination network devices (WNTD) were provided by NetComm Wireless, based on chipset solutions provided by Sequans Communications. Peak cell throughputs, both downlink and uplink, met or exceeded expected performances.
Gavin Williams, General Manager Fixed Wireless & Satellite, NBN Co, says: “NBN is very pleased with the results of this trial. We see a way forward to expand coverage and capacity to our customers in a cost effective manner using our existing LTE assets complemented with new 3.5 GHz radio units.
“It is encouraging that the ecosystem to support this extension is maturing. NetComm Wireless is committed to supporting NBN Co’s requirements of WNTD devices for their broadband wireless access network. We were happy to contribute with devices, based on Sequans chipsets, for this trial.”
NBN Co aims to deliver Australia's first national wholesale-only, open access broadband network. NBN has already deployed fixed-wireless access services with LTE TDD using its 2.3 GHz spectrum holdings. The future introduction of 3.5 GHz LTE technology provides NBN Co with the option to fully utilize its existing spectrum holdings.
Craig Miller, VP Worldwide Marketing at Sequans, says: “As a leading supplier of LTE platform solutions, both TDD and FDD, we are pleased that our chipset solution has proven the viability of B42 3.5GHz LTE TDD. We look forward to a rapid deployment of 3.5 GHz. We are committed to supporting the 3.5 GHz ecosystem.”
3.5 GHz provides up to 200 MHz of spectrum. This trial further validates the use of 3.5 GHz for macro and small cell deployment. This frequency is already available in several markets, such as Australia, and in the license process for additional markets, including Japan.
Håkan Eriksson, Head of Ericsson Australia, New Zealand and Fiji: “This TDD trial demonstrated that the 3.5GHz spectrum provides a good solution for user performance improvements and capacity expansion to satisfy future consumer needs. Ericsson is happy to provide support to NBN Co in this trial, as Ericsson continues to push for wider TDD industry ecosystem development.”
The successful testing results reconfirm that the TDD access scheme is a promising solution for the 3.5 GHz band to provide operators with the capability for advanced services and applications. The maturity of 3.5 GHz LTE-Advanced TDD ecosystem can address the need for an increase in spectrum in a cost effective manner. This live LTE TDD trial was jointly carried out in November and December 2014.