UAE operator Du, Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), announced a significant milestone in the integration and enhancement of 5G technologies in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) through collaboration with Nokia and MediaTek. This regional first trial has successfully boosted uplink performance by 70% on Du’s 5G Advanced network while expanding indoor coverage for customers, as announced on Monday.
Technologies Involved in the 5G Trial
Utilizing Du’s existing 5G infrastructure, the trial employed advanced techniques including three transmitter antennas (3Tx) with 2-component Carrier Aggregation (2CC) across FDD and TDD bands, as well as TDD UL MIMO. Nokia deployed its AirScale portfolio, featuring baseband, Massive MIMO radios, and macro remote radio heads. MediaTek contributed its T830 5G mobile FWA platform. However, Du has not disclosed the specific speeds achieved during the trial.
Impact on Connectivity
Du highlighted that this technology promises robust connectivity and superior network efficiency by integrating multiple frequency bands and enhancing transmission pathways. These advancements are crucial for high-demand applications such as video conferencing, live streaming, and substantial data uploads.
Commenting on the achievement, Du stated, “This trial not only accelerates the uplink performance of our network but also aligns with our ongoing commitment to enhance customer connectivity since our initial 5G launch in 2019.”
Carrier Aggregation is pivotal for mobile operators to optimize their spectrum and network resources, enhancing user connectivity experiences by delivering increased data rates and improved coverage extensively, according to the company.
