Vodafone Group detailed work to increase 5G data rates at its German operation, stating peak uploads of 200Mb/s could be achieved by using carrier aggregation (CA).
The operator asserts upload capabilities are becoming more important as services using AI become pervasive and change the current download-heavy mobile data dynamic.
It is employing Tx Switching, an antenna-control element in 5G NR specifications which enables several transmission channels to be used when connecting to smartphones.
Vodafone stated it is employing two transmission modes, using MIMO in one of them to optimise signals when the user is indoors or among a throng of people.
It is obviously using the development as a feather in the cap of its German 5G network, though for the moment the customer lure is available only to those with a Xiaomi 15 Ultra or 17 Ultra smartphone.
Vodafone explained it is working to expand the range of vendors and devices covered.
The operator acknowledged the upload data rates cited are headline figures and real-world performance may vary. But it emphasised peak rates of 273Mb/s were achieved in tests run in Hanover, Germany and Ciudad Real in Spain which set the stage for better performance in a live setting.
Source: https://www.mobileworldlive.com/vodafone/vodafone-deploys-5g-ca-in-germany/
