Huawei releases GU@5MHz solution to redefine refarming using spectrum overlapping technology

[Shenzhen, China, October 24, 2016] Huawei recently released its GU@5MHz solution, redefining spectrum refarming with innovative GSM and UMTS (GU) spectrum overlapping technology. GU networks can now be deployed with just 5 MHz of bandwidth, allowing for smooth network evolution even when spectrum resources are severely limited.

With the development of mobile broadband (MBB), more and more operators are deploying U900 networks by refarming 900 MHz spectrum resources to supply coverage for basic MBB networks. After refarming, the GSM networks are still used to serve GSM-only terminals. Even when the industry-leading UMTS small bandwidth (3.8 MHz) solution is used, 6.2 MHz of bandwidth is still required by the GU network. However, some operators are not able to upgrade their networks from GSM to GU; because of insufficient 900 MHz spectrum resources or heavy GSM network load. Up to 15% of global operators have only 5–6 MHz of the bandwidth on the 900 MHz frequency band.

To resolve these issues, Huawei has proposed an innovative GU@5MHz solution which will improve spectral efficiency using GU spectrum overlapping technology. The GU@5MHz allows a GU network to be deployed using just 5 MHz of bandwidth. This solution significantly reduces the waste of golden spectrum 900MHz resulting from non-decommissioning or slow decommissioning of GSM-only terminals on exiting GSM networks, allowing for smooth network evolution from GSM to GU. The GU@5MHz solution reduces the spectrum requirement for dual carriers on the UMTS networks and doubles U900 network capacity while reserving the GSM networks.

The industry standard is to use dedicated spectrum resources for different radio access technology (RAT). However, Huawei made a breakthrough by deploying GSM and UMTS networks on the same frequency band. The GU@5MHz solution uses inter-RAT joint scheduling and super narrowband filter technology to efficiently eliminate inter-RAT interference caused by the overlapped spectrum, ensuring the stability of key performance indicators (KPIs) on the GSM network.

GU@5MHz also supports flexible spectrum allocation. When GSM traffic requirements decrease, more spectrum resources are automatically allocated to UMTS. The solution can be deployed only by upgrading the radio access network side. There are no dependencies on other NEs.

Wang Yixiang, President of Huawei Wireless Network GSM, UMTS and CDMA Product Line, said, "The GU@5MHz solution redefines refarming and will help operators eliminate spectrum bottlenecks and achieve business success with MBB network development. As networks grow, Huawei will always be there and focus on operator's needs, pushing forward with the innovative products and solutions, and MBB growth that our customers desire."

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The Seventh Annual Mobile Broadband (MBB) Forum will be held in Tokyo, Japan on November 23 to 25, 2016. The world's top operators along with key industry decision-makers, policymakers and influencers will attend to discuss the hottest trends in the MBB ecosystem, and explore the future of mobile broadband. For more info, please visit http://www.huawei.com/minisite/hwmbbf16/en/index.html