Huawei has verified its sub-1 GHz (700 MHz, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz) Massive MIMO, the first of its kind, for commercial use.
The results highlight a ground-breaking leap in the spectral efficiency of sub-1 GHz bands, and this product’s superior performance over conventional low-band 2T2R equipment: five-fold higher downlink capacity, 8 dB better uplink coverage, and four-fold higher uplink speeds. These achievements represent a major step forward in bringing sub-1 GHz Massive MIMO from research to commercial deployment.
Huawei’s sub-1 GHz Massive MIMO is the first product in the industry to combine extremely large antenna arrays with wideband technology in the prized low-band spectrum. This breakthrough intelligently aggregates fragmented spectrum resources and pushes the limit of low-band spectral efficiency, achieving a five-fold improvement. It also delivers wider and deeper coverage, including a doubled coverage radius for a consistent 20 Mbps uplink experience, which is ideal for mobile AI applications. Furthermore, by supporting the coexistence of GSM, UMTS, LTE, NR, and NB-IoT, this product will facilitate the seamless evolution of all bands toward 5G. To complement these capabilities, it incorporates state-of-the-art materials, architectural designs, and algorithms to address the common challenges of excessive size, width, and weight in sub-1 GHz Massive MIMO equipment. This breakthrough will enable widespread adoption of sub-1 GHz Massive MIMO and drive all bands to Massive MIMO.
Fang Xiang, Vice President of Huawei Wireless Network Product Line, said: “Sub-1 GHz Massive MIMO is no longer a concept, but a reality. This commercial verification demonstrates its significant value in enhancing spectral and energy efficiency, network coverage, and uplink speeds while reducing latency. Future widespread deployment of this technology will enable operators to fully unleash the potential of the prized low-band spectrum, create new market spaces for mobile AI applications, add hundreds of billions of new IoT connections, and ultimately enhance user experience everywhere.”
