Optus and Huawei trial 4.5G technology
Telecommunications company, Optus, and ICT solutions provider, Huawei, are conducting a live trial of 4.5G technology, which has thus far resulted in download speeds of download speeds of between 1.23Gbps and 1.41Gbps, with theoretical maximum speeds reaching 1.43Gbps.
In addition, the combination of carrier aggregation, higher level modulation, and 4X4 MIMO achieved a peak download speed of 1.23Gbps over the air in live network conditions.
According to Optus, the trial of specific sets of 4.5G technologies, known globally as LTE-Advanced Pro or 4.5G, occurred at Optus’ Gigasite in Newcastle, north of Sydney.
The continued work on 4.5G, evolving towards 5G technology leverages on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on joint research and development that parent telco, Singtel signed with Huawei in 2014.
Optus Networks acting managing director, Dennis Wong, said Optus is continuing to test its network of the future to further improve customer experience.
“We continue to utilise our network and spectrum assets to test our network of the future and prepare for 5G. By 2020, 5G will be here and we are committed to identify ways to prepare our network to support this new technology and further improve customer experience,” he said.
Huawei Australia CEO, James Zhao, mentioned the successful trial is a result of continued innovation and partnership between Optus and Huawei that commenced with the announcement of the world first Gigasite in 2013.
“This field trial in Newcastle is a first and important milestone as a direct result of our local investments in R&D here in Australia. This joint trial represents a significant advance toward fulfilling Huawei’s & Optus’ commitment to developing 4.5G technology in Australia.”
Singtel Group chief technology officer, Tay Soo Meng, added that Singtel continues to pursue technologies and is in close collaboration with industry players like Huawei as part of its 5G partnership programs.
“As we work towards 5G we expect significant demand for cost-effective connection to a multitude of sensors and devices, and it is important that operators deliver new capabilities to enable the new connected ecosystem to support the growth and innovation of M2M services,” he said.
