China Mobile launched a dual-mode TD-LTE + FDD-LTE capability in Hong Kong.The converged LTE FDD/TDD network allows subscribers with client devices supporting both formats to roam on-net between services. The CMHK LTE network is the first dual-mode network in the Asia-Pacific region.
Live demonstrations showcasing the high-speed data download capabilities of TD-LTE and LTE FDD networks and the seamless hand-overbetween TD-LTE and FDD LTE networks for online video transmission were conducted at the launch event.
China Mobile Hong Kong’s FDD LTE mobile data service launched in April. The TD-LTE network in Hong Kong was activated in September.
Both Ericsson and ZTE have supplied equipment for China Mobile’s Hong Kong network.
“The commercial operation of China Mobile Hong Kong’s TD-LTE/FDD LTE converged network in Hong Kong marks a new milestone in the development of LTE technology, and helps to build strong momentum in the industry,” said Mr. Zhang, Vice President of ZTE.
As part of the launch, ZTE introduced its TDD/FDD dual-mode ZTE Grand Era LTE smartphone, featuring Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, a 1.5GHz dual core CPU, 1GB of memory and a multi-touch 4.5-inch 1280×720 Gorilla Glass display.
“With the growing popularity of the LTE environment in Hong Kong, LTE smart terminal products will become more prevalent in the future, which will also be the model for LTE development in mainland China, further accelerating the maturity of the global TD-LTE industry, ” said Mr. He Shiyou, ZTE EVP and Head of the Terminal Division.
http://www.hk.chinamobile.com/
In its 1H2012 financial report, China Mobile confirmed that it has successfully completed TD-LTE trial in “6+1” cities and commenced an expanded build-out of the technology. China Mobile has also carried out two-way roaming trials between Hangzhou’s TD-LTE network and Hong Kong’s LTE FDD networks.
By the end of this year, China Mobile aims to deploy 20,000 TD-LTE base stations in 13 cities. The goal is to have 90% effective coverage in key areas of Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
In 2013, the number of TD-LTE base stations will reach 200,000 to achieve contiguous outdoor coverage in data hotspots of prefectural level and above cities.
In October, ZTE announced a major contract to supply TD-LTE equipment to China Mobile in five cities, namely Beijing, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shenyang. The contract cover more than 13,000 carrier frequencies. Financial terms were not disclosed.
ZTE confirmed that it is now China Mobile’s leading LTE supplier for China Mobile.
China Mobile launched the TD-LTE bidding in August 2012. The tender included contracts for some 20,000 base stations and 52,000 carrier sectors.
In October, Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell also announced a contract to support China Mobile’s TD-LTE trial network rollout as it extends services to 10 cities. Under the terms of the contract, Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell will deliver approximately 3,000 base stations in the cities of Shanghai, Nanjing and Qingdao.
