Field trials of Orthogonal Sub Channel (OSC) technology carried out by Nokia Siemens Networks have shown it is possible to double the voice capacity of GSM networks without using special handsets. In the trial, Nokia Siemens succeeded in carrying four voice calls on a single GSM timeslot, the first time this has ever been achieved.
This success represents a major breakthrough as it will enable mobile operators to gain more capacity from existing networks with less base station sites required for network extensions and capacity enhancements. This, in turn, will deliver significant savings in energy--a major OPEX cost for operators--and reduce carbon emissions.
The OSC field trials consisted of drive testing using four handsets sharing a single radio timeslot. Nokia Siemens says the call quality was not affected. The technology breakthrough was achieved through software upgrades to existing base stations and base station controllers. OSC is fully interoperable with all existing mobile phones and Nokia Siemens Networks plans to make the technology available in 2010.
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