WOODSTOCK, NB and WASHINGTON, D.C – Xplornet has successfully completed a demonstration of TD-LTE using 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz frequencies.
The rural broadband provider said Thursday that the trials are the first in Canada to demonstrate a seamless TD-LTE option over existing WiMAX infrastructure, offering a smooth migration path from WiMAX to TD-LTE technology. The trials used a software-defined radio solution from Alvarion, a Washington-based provider of optimized wireless broadband solutions addressing the connectivity, capacity and coverage challenges of public and private networks.
The trial in 3.5 GHz was conducted using the same 3.5 GHz spectrum band that Xplornet uses for existing deployments, demonstrating the opportunity to leverage Xplornet's existing 3.5 GHz WiMAX network. The trial in 2.5 GHz, which took place at Xplornet's Canadian facilities, was conducted under a development license issued by Industry Canada.
Xplornet said that it tested the network for outdoor coverage from 5 to 12 km away from the transmitting station and realized high-speed, uninterrupted access to applications such as high-bitrate streaming media and on-line video conferencing. The TD-LTE network displayed good results with high quality, low latency and system stability.
TD-LTE uses spectrum more efficiently for broadband use, allowing for more robust download speeds that will better support video-streaming than could be offered with equal spectrum on FD-LTE.
"This represents a breakthrough for rural broadband," said Xplornet CEO John Maduri, in the announcement. "With licensed spectrum, this technology combines the reliability of a WiMAX solution in relevant frequency bands with a path to participate in the TD-LTE ecosystem of the future to provide a state of the art broadband solution for rural Canada."
"We are committed to responding to the unique needs of rural broadband operators, which include the flexibility to take advantage of the full scope of the 4G device ecosystem as it evolves," added Alvarion president and CEO Eran Gorev. "Xplornet is bringing advanced broadband capabilities to every Canadian province and territory and we are proud to support their efforts with a 4G platform that will meet their needs today and into the future as well."
