Nokia Networks, China Telecom mark major milestone in FDD-TDD carrier aggregation

Source: Nokia - Press Releases - September 3, 2014 

Nokia Networks, China Telecom mark major milestone in FDD-TDD carrier aggregation 

Achieve world-first FDD-TDD convergence including a commercial user device chipset 

Nokia Networks continues to lead and accelerate the adoptability of FDD-TDD convergence for commercial use

Beijing, China - Nokia Networks and China Telecom today announced the world-first FDD-TDD carrier aggregation including a user device chipset. In the demonstration by China Telecom, Nokia's LTE base station achieved interoperability with a commercial user chipset developed by Marvell. This successful interoperability is a milestone toward commercial adoption of the carrier aggregation to significantly improve the LTE network speed and coverage for LTE users in areas where both variants of LTE are deployed.
 
A stable peak download speed of 260 Mbps was achieved in the carrier aggregation demonstration with FDD 20 MHz in 1.8 GHz and TDD 20 MHz in 2.6 GHz spectrum. For the total speed, FDD spectrum contributed to 150 Mbps while TDD spectrum contributed to 110 Mbps.
 
The successful interoperability of Nokia's LTE base station with a user device chipset means the FDD-TDD carrier aggregation is rapidly getting closer to real deployment for the benefits of LTE users. This accomplishment is very significant for China Telecom as it can utilize its FDD band 3 for improving LTE coverage, and TDD band 41 for improving throughput and capacity for the best possible LTE service experience. Carrier aggregation will allow the operator to optimally use the scarce spectrum resources while providing the best LTE service experience.
 
"It's highly satisfying to achieve yet another world-first* toward commercialization and globalization of FDD-TDD carrier aggregation," said Zhang Qi, Vice President of TD-LTE, Nokia Networks. "This achievement with our partner China Telecom will also encourage other operators globally to look at further spectrum combination for FDD-TDD carrier aggregation into advanced 3GPP Rel-12. We are already working with many major operators globally to deliver FDD-TDD convergence for commercial use."
 
Nokia's Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station**, a Single RAN (radio access network) Advanced platform, was used for the carrier aggregation interoperability with user device chipset.
 
For more information on Nokia's mobile broadband capabilities, including a video overview, follow this link. To share your thoughts on the topic, join the discussion with @nokianetworks on Twitter using #mobilebroadband and #LTE. For expert insights, visit our blog.
 
About China Telecom
China Telecom Corporation Limited is an integrated information full services operator and the world's largest wireline telecommunications, CDMA mobile network and broadband Internet services provider, providing basic telecommunications services such as wireline telecommunications services and mobile telecommunications services, and value-added telecommunications services such as Internet access services and information services in the PRC. As at the end of 2013, the Company has wireline access lines in service of about 156 million, wireline broadband subscribers of about 100 million and mobile subscribers of about 186 million. The Company's H shares and American Depositary Shares are listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and the New York Stock Exchange, respectively.
http://www.chinatelecom-h.com/en/global/home.php
 
About Nokia
Nokia invests in technologies important in a world where billions of devices are connected. We are focused on three businesses: network infrastructure software, hardware and services, which we offer through Nokia Networks; location intelligence, which we provide through HERE; and advanced technology development and licensing, which we pursue through Nokia Technologies. Each of these businesses is a leader in its respective field.
 
Nokia Networks is the world's specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world's most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly. www.nsn.com //http://company.nokia.com

Notes:
*Nokia continues to lead the commercialization and globalization of the FDD-TDD carrier aggregation with multiple achievements including:
- World-first TDD-FDD carrier aggregation with KT and SKT using Nokia Single RAN Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station.
- Record breaking 3.8Gbps TDD-FDD LTE throughput with SK Telecom during Mobile Asia Expo (MAE) 2014 in Shanghai by using commercial Single RAN Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station and advanced MIMO techniques.
**The Nokia Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station has recently been ranked a leader in capacity and deployment flexibility, in analyst company Current Analysis' latest 'LTE eNodeB Assessment' of April 4, 2014. According to the report, Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station outperforms the competition in capacity, deployment flexibility, spectrum coverage and power output. "LTE-Advanced market momentum and product differentiation lend credibility," said Current Analysis in its report summary, noting that Nokia provided a "broader range of supported spectrum bands than other vendors." [The same analyst report also highlighted the company's leadership, with its Liquid Applications being a clear differentiator with its novel approach to optimizing mobile content and applications.]
 
Current Analysis, Nokia - Flexi Multiradio Family, Product Assessment - LTE eNodeB, Ed Gubbins, April 04, 2014.