Nokia Siemens Networks and Nokia conduct first LTE call at 800 MHz

Espoo, Finland - Move industry closer to realizing the potential of Digital Dividend spectrum

Nokia Siemens Networks and Nokia have jointly conducted the world’s first end-to-end LTE data call with Nokia Siemens Networks’ commercial equipment on the 800 MHz frequency band. This spectrum is popularly known as the Digital Dividend, becoming available as terrestrial TV moves from analog to digital broadcasting.* The successful interoperability tests mark a decisive step forward in the commercialization of LTE on this band, particularly hastening deployment in rural areas.

Due to its inherently attractive propagation capabilities, the Digital Dividend spectrum is ideal to provide rapid and cost efficient mobile broadband services. With the frequency band being freed up by regulators and assigned for LTE usage, the timing of these tests is most opportune, as it helps Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks deliver upon their commitment to bring commercial LTE 800 to operators’ networks as soon as possible.

The tests, conducted at Nokia Siemens Networks’ LTE Center of Competence in Espoo, Finland, follow the company’s commencement of production of LTE-ready Flexi Multiradio Base Stations for the 800 MHz band in April this year, and complement earlier tests with Nokia on the 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz bands.

The two companies demonstrated the end-to-end interoperability of Nokia Siemens Networks’ LTE network infrastructure with Nokia’s LTE-capable multi-mode multi-band Internet Modem RD-3. Infrastructure from Nokia Siemens Networks includes its Single RAN, featuring the Flexi Multiradio Base Station, the Evolved Packet Core comprising Flexi NS (Network Server) and Flexi NG (Network Gateway), and standard-compliant software.

“These tests are part of a larger campaign which includes various customer trials and demonstrations to make LTE on 800 MHz commercially viable by this summer,” added Reino Tammela, head of LTE business line, Nokia Siemens Networks. “Right after the first Digital Dividend spectrum was assigned to operators in the spectrum auction in Germany in May, it was important that standard compliant LTE network products and LTE user devices for this band become commercially available. This will enable successful rapid LTE network rollouts allowing end users to experience high speed and high quality mobile broadband services in rural areas with a large variety of terminals.”
About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of telecommunications services. With its focus on innovation and sustainability, the company provides a complete portfolio of mobile, fixed and converged network technology, as well as professional services including consultancy and systems integration, deployment, maintenance and managed services. It is one of the largest telecommunications hardware, software and professional services companies in the world. Operating in 150 countries, its headquarters are in Espoo, Finland.
www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

Talk about Nokia Siemens Networks’ news at http://blogs.nokiasiemensnetworks.com and find out if your country is exploiting the full potential of connectivity at http://connectivityscorecard.org

Notes to Editors

*The longer range of the 800 MHz band allows operators to cover a given area with fewer sites, as compared to higher frequencies. Operators deploying LTE in 800 MHz can easily achieve the same coverage as GSM (900 MHz) networks using their existing base station sites, allowing them to take a big step towards the vision of providing universal broadband. (Refer to Nokia Siemens Networks gears up to exploit Digital Dividend press release dated April 21, 2010. )

Nokia Siemens Networks’ Single RAN implements GSM, 3G and LTE technologies in one radio access network, enabling an excellent, seamless user experience. The Single RAN solution is based on multi-standard, GSM/3G/LTE-capable platforms, such as the software-defined Flexi Multiradio Base Station that does not require any hardware modifications over time. With its 210W triple multi-carrier power amplifier in a 25-liter durable case, the Flexi is the greenest, smallest and highest performing base station in the industry.

The Single RAN platforms are complemented by additional capabilities including network management and optimization, spectral efficiency features for maximum throughput, integrated IP transport, flat network architecture, and site solutions that enable the smooth introduction of new technology.

Long Term Evolution (LTE) is the next-generation mobile broadband technology and the evolutionary step from GSM, WCDMA/HSPA/HSPA+, TD-SCDMA, CDMA and WiMAX networks. It promises the delivery of broadband and smart device services thanks to increased data rates, reduced latency and a scalable flat all-IP network architecture. Nokia Siemens Networks is the frontrunner in LTE has and has a long track record in demonstrating its technological leadership in LTE:

* November 2006: Nokia Siemens Networks conducted the world’s first LTE demo with a handover to HSPA at the ITU World Congress in Hong Kong
* October 2008: Nokia Siemens Networks ships LTE base station hardware. Global 3G leader pushes ahead to the next generation with LTE-compatible solution.
* December 2008: Nokia Siemens Networks peers into the ultra-fast future with groundbreaking mobile broadband demonstration. Researchers have conducted the world’s first demonstration of LTE-Advanced technology.
* September 2009: World’s first LTE call on commercial software. Nokia Siemens Networks successfully demonstrates LTE calls using standards-compliant release.
* October 2009: First LTE handover test completed on software compliant with commercial standard baseline. Nokia Siemens Networks drives LTE towards commercialization with successful test of key feature to enable continuous connectivity.
* October 2009: Nokia Siemens Networks conducts LTE interoperability testing with four leading device vendors. Further progress on the road towards commercial LTE deployment.
* November 2009: Global telecom companies announce a standards based solution for voice and SMS services over LTE. Nokia Siemens Networks is a founding member of the One Voice initiative providing a blueprint for the early deployment of IMS-based Voice over LTE service. The company’s Fast Track approach is fully compliant with One Voice
* December 2009: Nokia Siemens Networks rings up another first in LTE with 3GPP standardized voice calls. Successful IMS-compliant voice calls and SMS messaging using standardized LTE equipment marks an important step towards commercial voice over LTE deployments.
* January 2010: Nokia Siemens Networks and LG Electronics achieve record LTE data speeds. First data call at maximum downlink rate of 100 Mbps for a Class 3 USB wireless modem.
* March 2010: World’s first call between different VoLTE clients showcased at CTIA 2010. Nokia Siemens Networks demonstrates standards-based Voice over LTE (VoLTE) interoperability using two different clients running on Samsung LTE devices
* April 2010: Nokia Siemens Networks sets up industry’s first TD-LTE Open Lab. Provides smart phone and terminal testing facility to accelerate TD-LTE ecosystem
* April 2010: TD-LTE ecosystem reaches maturity with landmark data call. Samsung and Nokia Siemens Networks collaborate on world’s first end-to-end TD-LTE data call
* April 2010: Nokia Siemens Networks gears up to exploit Digital Dividend. Starts production of LTE equipment for 800 MHz spectrum, anticipating switch from analog to digital TV.
* June 2010: Nokia Siemens Networks drives evolution to TD-LTE. Unveils complete integration of TD-LTE into existing mobile portfolio.
* June 2010: Innovator wins award for exceptional contribution to LTE
* June 2010: LTE networks self-organize. Nokia Siemens Networks takes human error, cost out of LTE with Self Organizing Networks
* June 2010: Telstra and Nokia Siemens Networks LTE world-first trial achieves 100Mbps at 75km using 2.6GHz. Telstra and Nokia Siemens Networks LTE world-first trial achieves 100Mbps at 75km using 2.6GHz