Huawei And Vodafone Hold 2.6GHz Small Cell Trial

Huawei and Vodafone have conducted a successful deployment of the Chinese equipment manufacturer’s ‘LampSite’ LTE 2.6 small cell technology, which allows users at the firm’s UK headquarters in Reading to access Vodafone’s 4G network using 2.6GHz spectrum.

Vodafone spent £790.8 million to secure 20MHz of 800MHz spectrum and 65MHz of 2.6GHz airwaves in the Ofcom 4G auction last year, with the former band valued for its range and the latter desired because of the capacity it offers.

The 2.6GHz band’s limited range means it is more suited to improving speeds in urban areas, with small cells touted as a way of helping operators deal with demand in busy cities. Huawei says its small cell technology is capable of supporting download speeds of 82Mbps and upload speeds of 42Mbps.

Huawei Small cell trial

“I am delighted to see 2.6GHz in action on small cell and the impressive data speeds it offers,” says Fergal Kelly, CTO of Vodafone UK. “I’m also impressed with the rapid response from Huawei to this innovation challenge from Vodafone.  One year to the day from initial discussion to live product is fantastic and such pace of innovation will be invaluable to Vodafone as we continue to build out the UK’s strongest network.”

UK communications regulator Ofcom has identified 25 times more spectrum that could be allocated to mobile broadband services, such as existing 4G networks and developments in 5G technology, but the European Commission says more bandwidth should be made available for Wi-Fi networks and small cells in an effort to deal with the anticipated growth in connected devices.

Many of the public Wi-Fi networks being built as part of the superconnected cities schemes allow the partners, such as Virgin Media Business or BT, to install small cells on street furniture so they can sell wholesale services to mobile operators to increase capacity.

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