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MTS Russia to Invest RUB 10 billion to Expand 'Tech-Neutral' LTE-1800 Networks

MTS Russia to Invest RUB 10 billion to Expand 'Tech-Neutral' LTE-1800 Networks Image Credit: MTS

MTS, the leading telecommunications provider in Russia and the CIS, announces the launch of a new phase of its LTE network development across Russia with an initial investment of more than RUB 10 billion. MTS has signed new contracts with key vendors, including Nokia, Huawei, Ericsson and Samsung for the delivery of multi-band LTE equipment and will launch 'tech-neutral' LTE-1800 networks in 19 Russian regions by the end of 2015, while LTE-Advanced networks featuring dual- and tri-band carrier aggregation technology will be launched in 15 regions by the end of 2015.

According to MTS, the coverage area of a base station working in the 1800 MHz range is four times greater than the coverage areas of a base station in the 2500-2700 MHz range. Thus the use of 1800 MHz equipment for the development of data transmission networks allows for quicker and more efficient network deployment, as the same territory can be covered by fewer base stations. Likewise, the LTE-1800 signal reaches indoor areas better compared to the signal of base stations working in higher frequency ranges.

As part of this project, MTS also plans to modernize existing GSM networks in some regions. The modernization will involve replacing the current equipment with equipment based on a Single RAN (Single Radio Access Network) platform which allows for the provision of all standards of GSM, 3G and LTE coverage on a single base station. 

Andrei Ushatskiy, MTS Vice President, Technology and IT
The introduction of tech neutrality allows us to use frequency resources more efficiently to increase data transmission speeds. This allows us to roll-out LTE networks within a shorter timeframe and reduce overall LTE CAPEX. For instance, 1800+2600 MHz carrier aggregation, provided each of the bands has a bandwidth of at least 10 MHz, allows us to increase the peak data transmission speed from 75 Mb/s to 150 Mb/s. In the case of tri-band carrier aggregation, network speeds reach 225 Mb/s. In April 2015, MTS carried out carrier aggregation tests in Bashkiria on 1800+2600+800 MHz frequencies with a combined bandwidth of up to 35 MHz, which demonstrated peak speeds of up to 260 Mb/s.

Author

Ray is a news editor at The Fast Mode, bringing with him more than 10 years of experience in the wireless industry.

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