Solution for Sprint Includes Samsung’s Newest High-Capacity Digital Unit for MIMO
Sprint has purchased 5G-ready massive MIMO solutions from Samsung, which includes deployment of the its latest MIMO technology solutions on the company’s 2.5GHz TDD-LTE network, announced Samsung at the Mobile World Congress.
Samsung’s massive MIMO can provide a way for operators to inject new capacity into their network without having to buy more spectrum or add new base stations. It can also be used by operators to significantly increase LTE network speeds, and can improve network efficiencies through the use of advanced beam-forming.
The company announced it will begin deploying 5G-ready massive MIMO technology in the coming weeks, an important milestone for the carrier as it prepares to launch their 5G mobile network in the US in the first half of 2019.
The massive MIMO implementation will include the Samsung’s new, higher capacity digital unit and software—the Samsung CDU 30—enabling gigabit level speeds while supporting eMTC and NB-IoT. The CDU 30 compact digital unit also halves in-cabinet space requirements by allowing replacement of existing DUs with a single new unit that supports both TDD and FDD spectrum.
Samsung’s massive MIMO solutions help provide the company with a clear upgrade path to 5G in 2.5GHz. In addition, the MIMO access unit and CDU 30 are upgradeable to 5G NR, a standard that provides the foundation for next-generation mobility.
The MIMO solutions can also support split-mode capabilities, which will enable the company to offer both 4G LTE and 5G on the same radio.
“We are excited to work with Samsung to deploy massive MIMO which is a tremendous competitive advantage for the company, enabling us to maximise our deep 2.5GHz spectrum holdings. This technology is key to meeting our customers’ growing demand for unlimited data, as well as offering Gigabit LTE and 5G services,” said Dr. John Saw, Chief Technology Officer at Sprint.
“After testing massive MIMO solutions with Sprint last year, and seeing impressive capacity gains using the same amount of spectrum, we are excited to reach this new milestone with the deployment of Samsung MIMO solutions on Sprint’s network.
“As this technology advances to even greater levels of speed and capacity, we look forward to enabling Sprint customers to experience the full benefits of network innovation,” said Mark Louison, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Networks Division, Samsung Electronics America.
Samsung was a four-time winner of the World Branding Awards, in the Consumer Electronics-Television category.
