Massive MIMO technology
Ericsson has announced to deploy Massive MIMO technology across Verizon’s wireless network in Irvine, California to increase network capacity and speeds for customers.
The massive MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) deployment involves 16 transceiver radio units with an array of 96 antenna elements. The deployment run on a 20 MHz block of AWS spectrum.
According to the companies, the frequency-division duplex (FDD) deployment will serve as a stepping stone to 5G, enabling beam-forming technology that directs antenna beams to where a customer is.
Massive MIMO, a key technology enabler for 5G, but 4G LTE service providers and end users can benefit from the superior capacity and network performance this technology enables,” Ericsson head of Market Area North America Niklas Heuveldop explained. The current test is an important step in the collaboration with Verizon to prepare their network for 5G.
Verizon 5G New Radio
Ericsson also plans to deploy MIMO on further areas of Verizon’s network. Recently, Verizon announced that to accelerate its 5G New Radio (NR) field trials for launching its next-generation network in 2019.
“We have a tremendous excitement around 5G, and today we made a great announcement to our commitment of driving the 5G ecosystem,” Verizon SVP Atish Gude said.
The 5G NR trials will make use of 3GPP release 15 specifications in the 28GHz and 39GHz mmWave bands, which supports full-scale commercial network.
The trials will begin in 2018, and also involve MIMO antenna technology, adaptive beam-forming and beam-tracking techniques, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X50 5G NR mobile modem chipset.
In June, Verizon said, the “key” parts of 5G is interoperability, with the carrier working not only with Ericsson and Qualcomm but also with Cisco, Samsung, Intel, LG, and Nokia to roll out its pre-commercial 5G trial networks across the US.
Verizon said its unlimited plans boost the use of its LTE network. More than 50 percent of its available low and mid band spectrum being used for 4G services. It expects to announce further 5G trial results later this year.
More information: [Ericsson]
