Huawei and Qualcomm Technologies have completed tests using LTE CAT 11, achieving a downlink peak data rate of up to 600 Mbit/s by aggregating three component carriers--3CC carrier aggregation (CA)--with 256 QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation).
The work gives Huawei a chance to shine a light on its SingleRAN solutions while Qualcomm can tout is next-generation Snapdragon modem, which can support an aggregate bandwidth of 60 MHz and the modulation scheme as high as 256 QAM.
The companies say that the two technologies significantly increase downlink rate, noting that 256 QAM is an important contributor to increased peak data rates and significantly improves the mobile broadband user experience particularly in areas with strong signals.
As a key technology of LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) and one of the most popular technologies these days, CA increases spectral efficiency for operators and provides a better user experience. LG Uplus in South Korea, EE in the UK, and HKT in Hong Kong have joined a number of operators in launching CA on their networks.
In February of this year, Huawei released 3CC CA to 55 MHz based on LTE CAT9 terminals with EE in London. In Hong Kong in April, Huawei released 3CC CA to 60 MHz based on LTE CAT 9 terminals with HKT.
Huawei and Qualcomm Technologies say they're adopting the 256 QAM technology to improve spectral efficiency, promote the commercialization of advanced technologies and accelerate the development of the wireless industry.
"In 2015, there will be a global surge in LTE-A construction with operators starting to consider the large-scale deployment of 3CC CA," David Wang, president of the Wireless Network Product Line at Huawei, said in a press release. "256 QAM will also soon be put into commercial use with the maturing of the industry chain. The success of these tests represents another milestone in the developing commercialization of LTE-A and 256 QAM. It shows that terminals are capable of both 3CC CA and 256 QAM."
LG Uplus recently showed off its new LTE in Unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) network, demonstrating its ability to transmit data at speeds up to 600 Mbps. The LTE-U demo in South Korea used 5.8 GHz unlicensed spectrum traditionally occupied by Wi-Fi.
For more:
- see this telecoms.com article
- see this release
Related Articles:
LG Uplus demonstrates faster LTE using LTE-U
Signals Ahead goes Gangnam style on LG U+ LTE-Advanced network tests
Qualcomm, Ericsson complete LTE Category 9 interoperability testing