Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and MTS, the largest mobile operator in Russia, have built a prototype 5G network and completed a successful test of new radio network features. The scope of the trial covered features such as massive and multi-User MIMO (multiple input multiple output), beam tracking and dynamic TDD (time division duplex), concepts and technologies that are available in Ericsson’s commercial portfolio, and included stationary and mobile test cases. The prototype system comprises a base station with integrated multiple antennas and two sets of user equipment, and is located in Moscow.
The massive and multi-User MIMO features are based on hardware including up to 512 smart antennas with integrated transceivers per cell, which significantly improves throughput for subscribers. Furthermore, the Multi-User MIMO feature enables operators to serve multiple subscribers in one sector of a cell with the same spectrum, and thus increase the efficiency of frequency use and the cell capacity.
Hannes Ekstrom, Head of Customer Unit MTS, Market Area Europe & Latin America, Ericsson, says: “With a scalable and dynamic 5G network as a base, an array of new services and revenue streams will be available to operators. It will enable the automation and business transformation required for the Internet of Things, as well as services like Virtual and Augmented Reality.”
The features beam tracking and dynamic TDD also provide key functionality in this scenario. The former enables the system to maintain a reliable connections and achieve the best possible throughput as the users move through the network, and the latter further improves throughput rates and the utilization of radio network resources by dynamically allocating capacity for downlink and uplink traffic.
Igor Egorov, Director of Moscow Region, MTS, says: “The tests showed an absolute record of the data speeds in Russia to a mobile device, and on specific examples we saw how close we are to the daily use of 5G solutions. MTS is currently building a data transfer network and testing various solutions to ensure we are ready for 5G standardization.”
Ericsson and MTS plan to further develop the 5G prototype system to an extended 5G demo zone in time for the 2018 international soccer competition in Russia.
