du, Nokia, and MediaTek Achieve 70% Uplink Boost in 5G Advanced Network Trial

du, in partnership with Nokia and MediaTek, has reached a groundbreaking milestone in enhancing 5G technologies across the Middle East and Africa.

This innovative trial, the first of its kind in the region, successfully boosted uplink (UL) performance by 70% on du’s 5G Advanced network and improved indoor coverage for premium customers. Conducted in Abu Dhabi, the trial showcased significant improvements in UL speeds and coverage on du’s operational 5G Advanced network. This advancement promises robust connectivity and superior network efficiency for high-demand applications such as video conferencing, live streaming, and large data uploads by integrating multiple frequency bands and optimizing transmission pathways.

Hasan Alshemeili, Head of Infra Technology Planning at du, emphasized the trial's importance:

"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. Our continuous upgrades to our state-of-the-art network infrastructure ensure an unmatched 5G user experience."

The trial introduced a pioneering technique utilizing three transmitter antennas (3Tx) combined with 2-component Carrier Aggregation (2CC) across FDD and TDD bands, incorporating TDD UL MIMO on du’s existing infrastructure. Nokia played a crucial role in this collaboration by deploying its advanced AirScale portfolio, including baseband, Massive MIMO radios, and macro remote radio heads, to boost capacity, coverage, and performance. MediaTek's contribution came in the form of its advanced T830 5G mobile FWA platform, highlighting the collaborative effort that drove this achievement.

Mohamed Samir, Vice President of Mobile Networks, Middle East at Nokia, stated:

"This trial underscores our commitment to leading-edge technological solutions that cater to and exceed the dynamic needs of our connected societies. Our technologies are designed to empower mobile operators to maximize radio network performance effectively."

Dr. Ho-Chi Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication System and Partnerships at MediaTek, added:

"Our joint trial sets a significant benchmark in the region and reaffirms MediaTek’s dedication to advancing wireless communication technology. Our T830 platform, now accessible to customers, leads the market with its proven high-performance capabilities."

Carrier Aggregation is essential for mobile operators to optimize their spectrum and network resources, thereby enhancing user connectivity experiences by delivering increased data rates and improved coverage.