Telstra has commercially deployed the world’s first 5G triple-band FDD Massive MIMO radio, which the telco says will deliver a step-change in coverage, capacity, and performance.
The Ericsson AIR 3284 is claimed to be the first commercial 5G radio in the world to combine 1800/2100/2600 MHz bands with Massive MIMO, boasting smarter beam control and more efficient use of Telstra’s existing spectrum portfolio.
The AIR 3284 operates in the mid-band Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) spectrum, which is considered the sweet spot for balancing broad coverage with high performance and capacity.
According to Telstra, the Massive MIMO capabilities of the AIR 3284 enables up to twice the downlink and three times the uplink capacity, as well as smarter beamforming for stronger signal quality and better cell edge performance.
“This radio delivers a new level of performance across our network," Ash Hunter, Telstra’s Acting Executive of Wireless Engineering says.
"Whether you’re running business-critical applications, gaming on the go, uploading content, or simply making a call, Telstra customers will see and feel the difference.
"AIR 3284 is a key part of our four-year transformation plan and supports our commitment to continuously improving Australia’s best network—today and into the future.”
Ludvig Landgren, Head of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand, says the deployment of the AIR 3284 is a milestone not only for Telstra, but for the telecom industry.
"The AIR 3284 is the first of its kind and delivers the capacity, coverage, and efficiency needed to support Australia’s 5G evolution," Landgren says.
"It also lays the foundation for Telstra’s recently announced mobile network transformation that we are helping deliver, focused on building a high-performing, programmable network ready for 5G Advanced and beyond.
"By integrating Massive MIMO into three critical FDD bands, we’re delivering a future-ready radio that will help Telstra set new benchmarks in speed, experience, and network intelligence.
"Together, we’re enabling a smarter, more responsive, and more sustainable network experience for Telstra customers.”
Early deployments of the new radio technology are currently live in Brisbane suburbs and will expand soon to Melbourne, with ongoing field trials confirming performance and energy gains.