Successful four-carrier F+D cross-band Carrier Aggregation deployment reinforces ZTE’s leadership in next-generation LTE-A network development

26 June 2013, Shenzhen, China – ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment, network solutions and mobile devices, today achieved wireless data transmission rates of 1 Gigabits per second in a live demonstration for guests at the Mobile Asia Expo conference in Shanghai, delivering a global breakthrough in the development of next-generation LTE-Advanced networks.

In the demonstration, ZTE deployed Carrier Aggregation technology with four carrier frequencies on the F-band（1.9G Band） and D-band （2.6G Band）. Carrier Aggregation is a core technology in the LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) standard, combining two or more carrier frequencies sharing the same or different bands into one channel, increasing the peak transmission speeds of TD-LTE cells by multiple times. ZTE used three carrier frequencies in the 2.6 G band, and on carrier in the 1.9 G band to complete the 1Gbps (F+D CA @ 4×4MIMO) demonstration successfully.

ZTE leads the telecommunications industry globally in innovations of TD-LTE 4G networks. In February, ZTE demonstrated the first F+D cross-band CA demonstration in the global industry at a hotel in Beijing, achieving a data speed of 430 Mbps. In January, ZTE and China Mobile completed the D-band Carrier Aggregation testing in an extended trial network environment in Guangzhou, achieving an outdoor  transmission speed of 223 Mbps.

The Carrier Aggregation technology effectively addresses signal interference between neighboring cells that share the same band to improve the performance of TD-LTE networks. By achieving load balancing between the primary carrier and secondary carrier to increase network capacity, Carrier Aggregation technology enables operators to provide consumers with higher networks speeds and a richer and more diversified user experience. Carrier Aggregation technology helps the telecommunications industry meet the challenge of surging data traffic demand, enhancing the competitiveness of TD-LTE networks.

In 2013, the industry witnessed a ramp-up in the construction of large-scale TD-LTE networks by China Mobile. F-band networks can be upgraded to the TD-LTE network by using the existing TD-SCDMA network resources. However, the F-band only has one frequency point of 20 MHz, and it is necessary to add more frequency points on the D-band to expand capacity and meet the medium-term and the long-term service requirements.

Carrier Aggregation technology increases the data-bearing capability of TD-LTE networks multiple times, enhancing the load balancing among inter-frequency points to deliver improved network performance. It is a strategic technology breakthrough to achieve the F+D cross-band 80 MHz Carrier Aggregation. ZTE is in a strong position to provide superior technical support and foundation for China Mobile’s subsequent large-scale F+D joint networking, and frequency resource integration and effective usage.