Du, Nokia and MediaTek upgrade 5G uplink by 70% in MEA

Du, part of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), has partnered with Nokia and MediaTek to achieve a milestone in 5G technology integration and enhancement across the Middle East and Africa (MEA). In a first for the region, this trial in Abu Dhabi has boosted uplink (UL) performance by 70% on du’s 5G Advanced network, while also expanding indoor coverage for premium customers.

The trial demonstrated significant improvements in UL speeds and coverage by leveraging multiple frequency bands and advanced transmission pathways. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for high-demand applications like video conferencing, live streaming and large data uploads.

Hasan Alshemeili, Head of Infra Technology Planning at du, said: “This trial not only accelerates the uplink performance of our network but also aligns with our ongoing commitment to enhance customer connectivity since our initial 5G launch in 2019. Our continuous upgrades to our state-of-the-art network infrastructure ensure an unmatched 5G user experience.”

The trial utilised a pioneering method featuring three transmitter antennas (3Tx) combined with 2-component Carrier Aggregation (2CC) across FDD and TDD bands, incorporating TDD UL MIMO. Nokia provided its cutting-edge AirScale portfolio, including baseband, Massive MIMO radios and macro remote radio heads, to enhance capacity, coverage and performance. MediaTek’s T830 5G mobile FWA platform played a crucial role in this collaborative effort.

Mohamed Samir, Vice President of Mobile Networks, Middle East at Nokia, added: “This trial underscores our commitment to leading-edge technological solutions that cater to and exceed the dynamic needs of our connected societies. Our technologies are designed to empower mobile operators to maximise radio network performance effectively.”

Dr Ho-Chi Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication System and Partnerships at MediaTek, stated: “Our joint trial sets a significant benchmark in the region and reaffirms MediaTek’s dedication to advancing wireless communication technology. Our T830 platform, now accessible to customers, leads the market with its proven high-performance capabilities.”

Carrier Aggregation, a key feature of the trial, allows mobile operators to optimise their spectrum and network resources, resulting in enhanced data rates and improved coverage for users.