TIM and Huawei have developed the first FDD full-band 4×4 MIMO antenna that they said would enable site sharing, 5G applications and help operators deploy next generation networks.
The antenna uses Huawei’s dense array and dipole reuse technologies, which reduces the size of network equipment, to support 4×4 MIMO on all bands under 3GHz in a single sector on a single antenna, which leaves space for an active antenna for C band and mmWave connectivity.
The Italian operator said its compact size, measuring 469mm wide with six antenna arrays side by side transmitting or receiving radio waves and enhancing their signal, makes network deployment easier, with a claimed 15 percent increase in efficiency and rapid rollout of the technology.
Giovanni Ferigo, Chief Technology Officer at TIM, said: “TIM is dedicated to technological innovation for better network capacity and user experience. We worked together with Huawei to develop this FDD full-band 4×4 MIMO antenna, which helps us better address antenna deployment issues and paves the way for 5G.”
[Read more: Telcos need skills shift for 5G success, says TIM CTO]
Like the rest of the mobile industry, TIM said its radio access networks were shifting from voice to data-driven, which will require new kinds of network architecture to support agile service provisioning, mobile video and network automation.
It added this solution would help it deploy a 5G-oriented SingleRAN antenna to maximise the value of existing network sites.
TIM is already working with Huawei on trials of 5G New Radio technology in Turin.