MWC 2017: Sprint to demo Gigabit Class LTE TDD data speeds with Ericsson

Sprint broadbandTelecom operator Sprint will conduct a live demonstration of Gigabit Class LTE TDD data speeds — at the Mobile World Congress 2017 (MWC 2017) in Barcelona — to show 1Gbps class performance over 60MHz of LTE TDD spectrum.

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Video applications are expected to drive 8-fold increase in mobile data traffic by 2022, according to Ericsson. Sprint aims to use Gigabit LTE TDD technology to ensure better customer experience to its data users on Sprint’s LTE Plus network.

“This demonstration highlights the capacity and potential of Sprint’s 2.5GHz spectrum and our ability to keep meeting customers growing demand for high-speed bandwidth-intensive applications,” said John Saw, CTO of Sprint.

Sprint has more than 160MHz of 2.5GHz spectrum in 100 U.S. markets and deployed three-channel carrier aggregation (3CA) on 2.5GHz in more than 100 markets. Sprint aims to enhance spectrum efficiency by supporting Gigabit Class data speeds over 60MHz of TDD spectrum.

Sprint, a leading wireless operator in the U.S., will be utilizing Ericsson’s LTE Advanced features including 4×4 MIMO, and higher order modulation (256QAM), Ericsson Lean Carrier, and 3CA of 60MHz of 2.5GHz B41 spectrum for the Gigabit LTE TDD demonstration.

Glenn Laxdal, head of Network Products, Ericsson North America, said Ericsson and Sprint will also be working together to test 5G technologies such as Massive-MIMO for LTE TDD using Ericsson’s next-generation 5G-ready radio (AIR6468) with Sprint during the second half of 2017.