Ericsson confirmed that South Korea’s LG U+’s recently launched LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) commercial service network is using their equipment.
Specifically, Ericsson has supplied Evolved Packet Core network and radio base stations and integrated new software for LTE-A service. The LTE-A rollout involved a Carrier Aggregation (CA) software upgrade.
LTE-A supports up to 150 Mbps throughput – twice and 10 times the speed of LTE and 3G services. Furthermore, LG U+ is able to support voice and data both on the LTE-A network with upgraded data speeds and service quality.
The two companies have agreed to jointly develop LTE-A and post LTE-A technology such as coordination functions between cells to enhance throughput by minimizing inter-node interference, inter-cell interference control technology to expand small cell coverage through coordination between macro and small base stations, and soft cell related technology to enhance data quality and speed by separating nodes for controlling signal and actual traffic data.
“Ericsson has successfully deployed LTE-A commercial service and accumulated unrivalled technology, experience and know-how,” said Jan Signell, Head of Region North East Asia, Ericsson. “We will not only bolster our partnership with LG U+ but also contribute to the future technology development to lead the Beyond 4G era as well as LTE-A market in the region.”
On July 18th, South Korea’s LG U + officially launched its LTE-Advanced service, promising download speeds of 75 Mbps to 150 Mbps — roughly twice the performance of its standard LTE service. The LTE-A network is using carrier aggregation of 800 MHz and 2.1 GHz spectrum. Compatible handset initially include a version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and soon the LG Electornics Optimus G2. By the end of the year, the company expects there will be six LTE-A terminal devices on the market.
