UK Broadband Switches On First Commercial 4G TD LTE System In The UK
First base stations using Huawei’s TD-LTE solution go live in London Borough of Southwark
UK Broadband, the UK’s largest holder of 4G spectrum, has today announced that it has switched on its first 4G LTE system in London. This is the first TD-LTE 3.5GHz deployment in the world and the first commercial 4G deployment in the UK. UK Broadband (UKB) is building its network using Huawei’s Time Division Long Term Evolution (TD-LTE) solution.
UKB will operate a wholesale model, working with partners to offer commercial services from May 2012 to businesses, consumers and the public sector. The network will initially cover the Southbank and Borough areas of Southwark.
The network will use UKB’s 124MHz of spectrum in LTE bands 42 and 43 (3.5GHz and 3.6GHz). This allows the deployment of 6 x 20MHz wide channels that will enable UKB to deliver LTE Advanced speeds and enough capacity across the network to deliver Next Generation Access superfast broadband speeds to a large number of users simultaneously.
The first devices, jointly developed by UKB and Huawei, include indoor and outdoor units for high-speed wireless broadband to homes and businesses within the coverage area. Multi-mode mobile devices supporting TD-LTE, FD-LTE and 3G will be available from September 2012.
“We’re very excited to be switching on our first TD-LTE system in the UK using our 4G spectrum,” said Nicholas James, UKB’s CEO. “We’re working with Huawei because we believe they have the expertise and experience we need to deliver the best solution.”
“Utilising Huawei’s equipment, UKB’s spectrum and our combined expertise, the availability of LTE in the UK from today will give a significant boost to the UK Government’s broadband agenda,” said Victor Zhang, CEO of Huawei UK. “We are proud to be involved in this project and are dedicated to supporting UKB and the Government to help connect more people to high speed wireless broadband networks.”
UKB’s business model is to build bespoke LTE coverage – large or small – that delivers solutions to where there is demand for high speed wireless/mobile data capacity. Usually this will be as a result of developing a solution for an anchor or core customer.
UKB has chosen TD LTE because typically, significantly more data is downloaded than uploaded. Designed specifically to meeting the growing demand for data capacity, TD LTE allows UKB to dynamically manage the network to maximise the download capacity at all times, optimising both the technology and the wide spectrum bands it has available to deliver a very high download capacity.
About UK Broadband
UK Broadband is the UK’s largest commercial holder radio spectrum suitable for 4G mobile services and fixed wireless solutions. It provides wireless data capacity, equipment, services and solutions to the telecoms industry, service providers, channel partners and the public sector. By offering high capacity, secure wireless services over licensed spectrum, UK Broadband can offer the guaranteed service levels required to solve problems such as efficient mobile working, mobile data offload, digital and social inclusion, community healthcare and education, as well as rural home broadband access. UK Broadband is a wholly owned subsidiary of PCCW Limited, the holding company of HKT, Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications provider and a world-class player in Information and Communications Technologies. For further information, please visit www.ukbroadband.com
About Huawei
Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Through our dedication to customer-centric innovation and strong partnerships, we have established end-to-end advantages in telecom networks, devices and cloud computing. We are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers by providing competitive solutions and services. Our products and solutions have been deployed in over 140 countries, serving more than one third of the world’s population.
For more information, visit Huawei online: www.huawei.com. Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/huaweipress and YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/HuaweiPress
