Huawei released the world’s first 3.5GHz LTE-A device
at the 3.5GHz LTE TDD Roundtable at MWC 2015. The device, supporting 2
carrier aggregation with total downlink speed of over 220Mbps,
represents the end-to-end commercialization of LTE-A at the 3.5GHz band.
Picture : The World’s first 3.5GHz TDD LTE-A device was showcased at MWC2015
3.5GHz spectrum is defined by 3GPP as TDD band 42 and
band 43 with 400MHz of bandwidth from 3400~3800MHz. In relation to the
constant growth in mobile data traffic, the value of 3.5GHz spectrum is
increasingly being recognized worldwide. In Japan, the top 3 operators
were each recently awarded 40MHz of spectrum towards their respective
TDD LTE-A deployments last December. In the Americas, operators in
Canada, Argentina and Peru are currently rolling out networks in their
areas. While operators in Italy, Spain and Norway have all expressed
interest in using TDD LTE-A to provide fiber-like wireless broadband
access in suburban and rural areas. In Asia pacific, the world’s largest
3.5GHz LTE network is being deployed in the Philippines. And in
Bahrain, the world’s first nationwide 3.5GHz commercial network is being
built.
With abundant spectrum, 3.5GHz is the ideal band for
LTE-A deployment. The release of this CAT6 LTE-A device represents the
beginning of the end-to-end commercialization of the band. More carriers
including TDD+FDD carrier aggregation will also be introduced soon,
building increased development momentum of the 3.5GHz industry.