Celcom and HUAWEI have launched the world’s first large-scale commercial FDD Smart 8T8R network to meet rising data traffic and network congestion in major cities. This will ensure that Celcom’s 4G network provides a seamless experience for customers while the company transitions to 5G.
Celcom’s expedited network expenditures of over RM250 million have resulted in a preliminary reduction in network traffic congestion in delivering consistent network service and experience since December 2020, and this Smart 8T8R network effort is part of that.
Celcom saw a nearly 70% increase in data traffic with 474 million GB in the first quarter of 2021, compared to the first quarter of 2021, as a result of the pandemic and MCO quickly driving digitalisation among Malaysians. Data usage per month per user climbed by 46.1% year over year, from 14.9GB per month per user to 21.8GB per month per user.
Celcom’s existing 4T4R network capacity is increased by about 80% thanks to Huawei’s Smart 8T8R network technology, which reduces network traffic congestion and improves user experience on Celcom’s largest 4G network. Huawei’s FDD Smart 8T8R network technology makes the most of existing sites and spectrum resources to boost mobile capacity and improve user experience.
The FDD Smart 8T8R technology combines software-defined antennas (SDAs) and FDD dual-band RRUs (Remote Radio Units) with Huawei’s innovative algorithms to support on-demand upgrades such as software adjustments, resulting in increased hardware potential to meet 4G’s rapid data growth and network capacity demands.
The Smart 8T8R technology also includes PowerBoosting software, which enables sophisticated power management for base stations, resulting in increased coverage and lower OPEX costs due to lower energy consumption.
Celcom has installed 8T8R sites in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, and Penang thus far. The updated 8T8R sites will support current 4T4R sites in rural and urban locations, reducing network traffic congestion and providing a consistent network experience for all Celcom customers. Celcom plans to upgrade more 4G sites with 8T8R technology around the country.
