[Shenzhen, China, February 25, 2025] Huawei officially initiated the global commercial deployment of its FDD tri-band Massive MIMO (1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz, and 2.6 GHz) to help operators maximize the value of sub-3 GHz spectrum. The solution meets the growing demand for 4G network traffic and unlocks traffic dividends, while further improving service experience for 5G users.
Commercial deployment has started in several African countries, including Nigeria, Angola, and Côte d’Ivoire. Operators have found that the FDD tri-band Massive MIMO outperforms the conventional 4T4R solution by handling 90% more 4G traffic during busy hours, increasing user-perceived speeds by 320%, and reducing physical resource block (PRB) usage by 50%. Operators in 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Central Asia, and Latin America will deploy this solution soon.
Market Demand Drives Technological Innovation
Africa’s rapid urbanization and large population are driving the rapid growth of mobile data needs. 4G traffic demand increases by 50% every year, which causes widespread service congestion and leaves operators in the region with user experience deterioration challenges. Although conventional Massive MIMO technology has been deployed at some sites, networks are still heavily loaded, underscoring the need for a more efficient capacity solution.
Huawei’s FDD tri-band Massive MIMO solution uses state-of-the-art Real Wide Bandwidth and Compact Dipole technologies to enable the 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz, and 2.6 GHz bands to share the same filter, antenna array, and power amplifier. It offers outstanding performance and is the smallest, lightest, and most energy-efficient in its class. Compared to the conventional Massive MIMO capacity expansion solution, this product is 48% lighter and smaller, uses 10% less power, and significantly reduces tower rental and electricity costs. This product also delivers better 4G and 5G network experiences to users. It leverages industry-leading intelligent beamforming and TM4-TM9 joint scheduling algorithms to boost 4G downlink capacity by three to four times. And after evolution to 5G, the capacity gain compared to 4G 4T4R can reach up to seven times and the uplink coverage can be improved by 8 dB.
Upgrading Network Capabilities Through Innovation
“The current and future rapid increase in 4G and 5G service traffic, along with the explosive growth of mobile AI services, will require higher uplink bandwidth and wider coverage,” said Fang Xiang, Vice President of Huawei Wireless Network Product Line. “This is not only an opportunity for service development, but also a challenge for networks. We have been working closely with global operators to tackle network development hurdles by pursuing innovations in core technologies and solutions. We are committed to helping operators boost revenue, cut costs, and enhance efficiency, advancing towards a fully connected, intelligent world.”
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