Optus continues to test and evolve its ‘network of the future’, having achieved download speeds of 480 megabits per second (Mbps) to a single user device.
SingTel Group Chief Technology Officer, Mr Tay Soo Meng said, “Optus is constantly seeking opportunities to advance mobile communications technologies. Already we have deployed LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation across most capital city networks.
“Carrier aggregation is typically achieved by combining FDD and FDD, or TDD and TDD channels; but we have successfully tested 4 carrier aggregation using 3 LTE TDD channels and 1 LTE FDD channel, achieving an incredible data speed of 480 Mbps in our live network.”
“With this new technology of combining 4 channels of LTE FDD and TDD together, we can make better use of our spectrum resources to deliver even higher data speeds to our customers in the future.”
What is Carrier Aggregation?
The aggregation or connecting together of multiple 4G channels is a technique known as “carrier aggregation”.
Carrier aggregation delivers customers more bandwidth and higher speeds on their mobile devices as needed – for example, when a customer is streaming a high definition video or downloading a large file. It is like adding extra traffic lanes on a highway to cope with extra demand.
During Optus’ live carrier aggregation test, the spectrum combination comprised three 20 MHz “TDD” channels (using Optus’ 2300 MHz spectrum) and one 20 MHz paired “FDD” channel (on Optus’ 2600 MHz spectrum).
Live Network tests – Aggregation of 4 carriers
The 480 Mbps speed was achieved using a prototype “Category 8” 4G user device at an indoor live network site at Optus’ headquarters in Macquarie Park, NSW.
To further prove the “real world” capability of this technology, Optus repeated the tests outdoors using its “Gigasite” at Lambton, in Newcastle (about 160 km north of Sydney).
“The peak download speed achieved outdoors was 478 Mbps with typical speeds ranging from 350 to 450 Mbps at various locations around the base station.”
Optus worked with its vendor partner Huawei to conduct these tests.
Live Network tests – Aggregation of two “4x4 MIMO” carriers
4×4 MIMO approximately doubles the peak speed and capacity of a single 4G channel. By coupling this with the aggregation of two carriers, peak speeds are increased by up to a factor of four compared to a single 2×2 MIMO 4G channel.
Indoors at the Optus headquarters site, a peak download speed of 415 Mbps was achieved, which is close to the theoretical peak possible with this technology. At Optus’ Gigasite in Lambton, a peak speed of 350 Mbps was achieved to a single user device, with speeds averaging 320 Mbps close to the base station, using only 40 MHz of spectrum.
By conducting these tests both indoors and outdoors, Optus is able to understand the ‘real world’ performance of these technology developments – because that is what is relevant to our customers.
Optus’ ‘network of the future’
These carrier aggregation tests are a window into the future capability of the Optus 4G Plus network. Optus can utilise its substantial metropolitan spectrum assets to provide our customers with ultra-fast speeds and large capacity – enabling them to do more in less time.
Optus’ metro spectrum assets mean it has the capacity to provide exceptional customer experience to mobile data customers, even under extremely heavy network loads.
What are Gigasites?
Optus’ Gigasites are live network test sites built to test Optus’ entire spectrum assets in terms of total capacity, throughput capability, and number of network layers. Optus’ spectrum bands range from 700 MHz to 3500 MHz (i.e. 700, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600 and 3500 MHz).
Optus’ Gigasites are used as testbeds to push the boundaries of 4G LTE technology developments as they arise.
Last year Optus created a world record total site throughput of 2.3 Gbps on one of its “Gigasites” to demonstrate the total capacity of all of Optus’ spectrum assets. That demonstration involved a large number of user devices all downloading data at the same time, rather than increasing peak speeds to one device.
Optus’ Gigasite project is about demonstrating our network of the future, and how Optus will be able to provide our customers with the capacity to meet their ever increasing appetite for data, and deliver a faster, more consistent network experience.
Devices That Support current Carrier Aggregation technology
In September 2014, Optus turned on LTE Advanced carrier aggregation using its TD LTE 2300 MHz spectrum (2 x 20 MHz channels) in selected areas in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra. Current compatible devices that support (2 carrier) TDD Carrier Aggregation include Samsung Galaxy Note 4, the Huawei E5786 WiFi Modem and the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge.
For more information contact:
Steve Batten
Optus Corporate Affairs
Ph: (+612) 8082 8795
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