LTE on 900 MHz

[s52d]

Few networks are actually using LTE 900 in commercial service.

We tried it on top of LTE 1800: it works as expected. It increases indoor coverage, suitable for VoLTE.
In collocated cells most of the traffic is on L1800, so narrow L900 band matches traffic distribution.
Quick repeater test (only few models): works, of course without MIMO.

It is wider as W900, so we allocated 25 GSM ARFCH as L900 band, with BCCH band being away from LTE.

Analysing terminal capabilities in live 1800 nework we found 80 % of terminals in the network supports L900, slightly less as LTE 800 and noticeable more as LTE 2100.

So far, no customer complains would indicate any problems in L900 coveed area.

W900 can be done, more terminal support: but with all data traffic increase in LTE it looks like even short term LTE benefits are higher.


Any experience to share?

Repeaters

Has anyone done some deeper analyzis on legacy GSM repeaters on 900/1800 used for LTE? How about cheap 150 € models?
Our finding is limited: we even got good results by using two repeaters and MIMO in one demo case.

GSM refarming
How many ARFCH you took away from GSM on 900/1800? Has anyone studied of impact of border TCH in adajcent cells?
With 25 ARFCN for 5 MHz LTE we are on safe side.

Terminals: any problems with old terminals? So far it looks good.

BR
s52d

[baby2]

You want to reuse repeater GSM? ,I think the solution to fulfill use RRU as small cell is better to use repeater

[mapataca]

Few networks are actually using LTE 900 in commercial service.

We tried it on top of LTE 1800: it works as expected. It increases indoor coverage, suitable for VoLTE.
In collocated cells most of the traffic is on L1800, so narrow L900 band matches traffic distribution.
Quick repeater test (only few models): works, of course without MIMO.

It is wider as W900, so we allocated 25 GSM ARFCH as L900 band, with BCCH band being away from LTE.

Analysing terminal capabilities in live 1800 nework we found 80 % of terminals in the network supports L900, slightly less as LTE 800 and noticeable more as LTE 2100.

So far, no customer complains would indicate any problems in L900 coveed area.

W900 can be done, more terminal support: but with all data traffic increase in LTE it looks like even short term LTE benefits are higher.


Any experience to share?

Repeaters

Has anyone done some deeper analyzis on legacy GSM repeaters on 900/1800 used for LTE? How about cheap 150 € models?
Our finding is limited: we even got good results by using two repeaters and MIMO in one demo case.

GSM refarming
How many ARFCH you took away from GSM on 900/1800? Has anyone studied of impact of border TCH in adajcent cells?
With 25 ARFCN for 5 MHz LTE we are on safe side.

Terminals: any problems with old terminals? So far it looks good.

BR
s52d

You could use your old repeater but check with signal generator if repeater can stand stress test with that wide bandwidth

[s52d]

Hi!

Thanks: yes, we did limited testing with legacy GSM repeaters on 900 and 1800 MHz.
So far, all tests were OK. Even cheap repeaters perform reasoneble well.

We even got nice results with two repeaters and MIMO.

BR
s52d