MTS, the largest telecommunications operator in Russia and the CIS countries, in partnership with Ericsson said that it has successfully tested the LTE-U (LTE-Unlicensed) technology by aggregating two frequencies to achieve speeds up to 200 Mb/sec at Wi-Fi hotspots in Moscow. The test involves 10 MHz at the LTE-1800 MHz and 20 MHz at the unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum range.
The LTE-U which is touted as an important step for the development of 5G enables aggregation of two networks’ resources – LTE and unlicensed Wi-Fi spectrum - allows for better internet speeds indoors, better coverage and enhanced network quality.
In addition, MTS and Ericsson also signed an agreement for the supply of software for upgrading MTS’s radio network through 2018, via which the companies will implement Internet of things (IoT) solutions for 5G networks and test radio interface EC-GSM-IoT (Extended Coverage GSM IoT), a technology which enables operations of M2M devices in operators’ current cellular networks.
Andrey Ushatsky, MTS Vice-President for Engineering and IT
A few years later, with the advent of the first fragments of 5G networks, we are fully prepared for the aggregation of licensed bands MTS core network with bands unlicensed band, which is now available in the main Wi-Fi hotspots.
Jeff Travers, Vice President of Ericsson Business Development, Northern Europe and Central Asia
Our tests have shown full availability of this technology in the 4G-network. The commercial introduction of LTE-U allows the operator to maximize return on investment and improve the quality of the user experience inside buildings.
