Ericsson and MediaTek have achieved 565Mbps in 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) uplink performance trials. The uplink single user multiple input multiple output (SU-MIMO) and uplink carrier aggregation software capabilities from Ericsson were used to achieve this on the MediaTek T830 CPE (customer premises equipment) platform with three transmit (3Tx) antennas.
According to Ericsson, the combination of SU-MIMO and Uplink CA is especially appealing for FWA service providers as device output power constraints and the placement of additional radio frequency components is simplified for FWA devices with larger form factor as compared to smartphones.
The technology was achieved by combining a 2.1GHz FDD (frequency division duplex) band with a 3.5GHz TDD (time division duplex) band.
Sibel Tombaz, head of product line 5G RAN (radio access network), Ericsson, says: “This latest milestone with MediaTek proves that we at Ericsson are continuously innovating and leveraging new technologies to deliver the best possible 5G user experience. With this latest solution offering, fixed wireless access subscribers, consumers and businesses alike, can benefit from higher upload speeds for data-heavy applications such as cloud gaming and extended reality. We are offering high-performing solutions for the evolving fixed wireless access market.”
HC Hwang, general Manager of wireless communication system and partnership at MediaTek, says: “Enhancing uplink performance is an essential advantage for 5G FWA devices used by businesses, and this technology breakthrough will further extend the advantage of 5G CPE versus line-based broadband services. Our collaboration with Ericsson has proved our combined technical capabilities to overcome previous limits, enhancing network performance and efficiency, opening up new possibilities for service providers and consumers to enjoy faster and more reliable 5G data services.”
While the focus on applications has traditionally been downlink-heavy, uplink performance has always been a key factor. The uplink can have a impact on time-to-content. A limited uplink can slacken time-to-content on many websites, which negatively affects the experience for FWA subscribers.
Getting the uplink right requires a highly tuned, customised solution that comprises a blend of hardware and software systems, including the integrated radio and antenna that sends and receives radio signals; the baseband processors; and the software algorithms that keep everything running with a high level of performance. This is why interoperability tests like this with ecosystem partners are key to ensuring the best possible user experience.
FWA connections are forecasted to reach 300 million in 2028 from 107 million in 2022. By 2028, 5G is estimated to account for almost 80% of all FWA connections, according to the latest edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report. To date, more than 100 communications service providers (about 40% of FWA service providers) offer FWA over 5G.
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