Telecom operator Vodafone Turkey has completed the verification of the GL spectrum sharing solution on its 900 MHz networks in Diyarbakir city.

This solution enables spectrum sharing between GSM and LTE with unprecedented overlap between the two technologies, which increases both LTE data rate and cell capacity available in the 900 MHz spectrum allocation from Vodafone Turkey. Compared to LTE 5MHz, the average user throughput is increased by nearly 58 percent on downlink and 44 percent on uplink.

Huawei Mobile Innovation Centre and Vodafone Networks CoE (Center of Excellence) developed the innovative solution.

Vodafone Turkey, which launched 4.5G on April 1, 2016, has the largest 4.5G coverage in Turkey serving over 8 million LTE users.

GL spectrum sharing solution adopts Huawei-proprietary algorithms to free operators from the restrictions of standard LTE bandwidth. This solution ensures that scattered spectrum resources are fully utilized for higher data rate and better user experience.

By introducing flexibility in terms of the Resource Block allocation and spectrum allocation used by LTE this allows to maintain sufficient GSM channels to carry the 2G CS traffic. The test cases show that GL spectrum sharing allows for an approximately 58 percent increase in average downlink user throughput, and a 44 percent increase average uplink user throughput, compared with LTE 5MHz bandwidth.

“Spectrum allocation is fixed in the traditional refarming solution, which results in low utilization rate. In comparison, GL spectrum sharing supports more efficient spectrum sharing between GSM and LTE. That has helped to boost spectral efficiency and improve the overall experience of 4G users in Diyarbakir,” said Mallik Rao, CTO of Vodafone Turkey.

Cao Ming, president of FDD Product Line at Huawei said that GL spectrum sharing is an innovative solution exclusive to Huawei.