Optus to roll out Massive MIMO from end-2017

Australia’s Optus plans to roll out Massive MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) technology on its mobile network starting at the end of the year, after completing successful trials combining Massive MIMO with three-carrier aggregation (3CC CA).

Optus completed live network testing of 3CC Massive MIMO in June, achieving a top speed of 818Mbps, the operator revealed.

The trial was conducted with Huawei on live traffic at Macquarie Park in northern Sydney. Optus said the trial made it the first operator in the world to complete a successful live network implementation of massive MIMO and 3CC CA technologies together in the same equipment.

In addition to the improved speeds, site capacity during the live testing was boosted by almost four times compared to that of existing four transmit four receive (4T4R) MIMO base stations.

Optus plans to start the rollout of Massive MIMO in selected capital cities starting from the end of the year, with a focus on high traffic and congested areas.

“Earlier this year, Optus launched a 4.5G network and completed Australia’s first field trial of Massive MIMO technology,” Optus Networks managing director Dennis Wong said.

“We’re committed to leading Australia in terms of 5G development and testing, and this recently completed world-first 3CC Massive MIMO test is further testament to our commitment and developments we have been able to achieve in this space.”

Optus is Australia’s second largest mobile operator, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore’s Singtel.