Airtel, MediaTek, and Nokia have announced the successful completion of trials combining TDD and FDD mid-band spectrum using the latest generation chipset. Conducted at Airtel’s tech lab, the trial achieved uplink speeds of 300 Mbps, setting a new benchmark for 5G performance. This trial demonstrates Airtel’s commitment to advancing network technology to meet growing connectivity demands.
By aggregating 3.5 GHz (n78) and 2.1 GHz (n1) frequency bands, the trial significantly enhanced uplink performance through dynamic switching between TDD and FDD carriers. This innovation promises faster connectivity, improved user experience, and greater network efficiency, addressing high-demand applications such as video conferencing, live streaming, and large file uploads.
Randeep Sekhon, CTO of Bharti Airtel, remarked, “This trial underscores our commitment to innovation and enhancing our network infrastructure. It sets a new standard for 5G uplink performance, offering faster data speeds and improved connectivity.”
Dr. Ho-Chi Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication Systems and Partnerships at MediaTek, stated, “We are excited to collaborate with Bharti Airtel and Nokia in this trailblazing trial. MediaTek’s Dimensity 5G mobile platform was pivotal in achieving these high uplink speeds, highlighting our dedication to enhancing user connectivity experiences.”
Tarun Chhabra, Country Manager and Head of Mobile Networks Business at Nokia India, added, “Partnering with Airtel on this pioneering project is a proud moment. The uplink Tx switching technology will enhance 5G networks, supporting data-intensive applications and driving connectivity innovations. Congratulations to Airtel for reaching this milestone.”
For this trial, Airtel utilized Nokia’s next-generation 5G AirScale radio equipment and MediaTek’s Dimensity 5G mobile platform as the user equipment.
About Bharti Airtel Limited:
Headquartered in India, Airtel is a leading global communications provider with over 550 million customers across 17 countries in South Asia and Africa. Ranking among the top three mobile operators worldwide, Airtel’s network covers over two billion people. The company is India’s largest integrated communications provider and the second-largest mobile operator in Africa. Airtel’s offerings include high-speed 4G/5G broadband, Airtel Xstream Fiber with speeds up to 1 Gbps, and a variety of digital services. For enterprise clients, Airtel provides secure connectivity, cloud and data center services, cybersecurity, IoT, Ad Tech, and cloud-based communication solutions.
