MADRID, 22 (EUROPEAN PRESS)

BT has become, in collaboration with Nokia, the first operator in Europe to add four access channels (4CC) in an active commercial autonomous 5G (SA) network, the company said in a statement.

The announcement marks the evolutionary path of 5G at mobile operator BT, which will enable a “better experience for its customers”, as well as new capabilities for the company. “As we migrate to an autonomous 5G network, this technology milestone is critical to delivering the best experience to our customers,” said Greg McCall, General Manager of BT Service Platforms.

To achieve this breakthrough, BT has teamed up with Nokia to successfully combine four low-band and mid-band radio channels (at 2.1, 2.6, 3.4 and 3.6 gigahertz), using Nokia’s 5G radio access network network technology in the US spectrum.

The test is carried out in two stages. This was first done at the BT radio lab in Bristol, and then moved outside to the radio mast at Adastral Park BT in Suffolk, England, where the team managed to achieve four access channels in autonomous 5G on the regular channels used by EE to offer services. This is the first time in Europe that network operators have achieved 4CC in 5G SA using commercial channels inside and outside the lab.

Most 5G networks today are non-autonomous (NSA), meaning 5G relies on existing 4G infrastructure. The extension of the new 5G channel on the autonomous network represents a “big leap” in the evolution of 5G infrastructure, combining multiple transmission bands in a single connection. Each new channel added allows for greater capacity and speed on subscriber devices.

“Our agreement with Nokia is another demonstration of building the most advanced network for our customers,” said Greg McCall. In addition, he added, the technology demonstrates what is possible for future devices in terms of compatibility with channel expansion, which is “an essential part of the customer experience”.

Meanwhile, the senior vice president of the PLM radio access network, Mark Atkinson, is “delighted” to deepen the relationship with BT. “Nokia and BT have a long history of investing in cutting-edge technology and this trial is another example of what our companies can achieve together.”