The First UMTS/HSDPA 900 MHz Network Deployment

Alcatel-Lucent and Manx Telecom, a subsidiary of O2, announced the successful deployment of the first, third-generation UMTS and HSDPA network using the 900 MHz spectrum on the Isle of Man. The field trial followed a series of Alcatel-Lucent demonstrations of UMTS 900MHz in Europe.

During the six-month trial, the companies leveraged the lower frequency to extend UMTS voice and HSDPA data coverage and measured the benefits of deploying UMTS at 900 MHz using Alcatel-Lucent's UMTS/HSDPA base station products developed for this spectrum band. A scanner supplied by Rhode & Shwartz was used to measure UMTS900 against UMTS2100 and GSM900 for indoor and outdoor coverage.

Philippe Keryer, President of Alcatel-Lucent's GSM/W-CDMA/WiMAX activities, said: "With O2, we are proving that Alcatel-Lucent is uniquely positioned for new spectrum opportunities such as 900 MHz. Alcatel-Lucent's deepest and broadest wireless portfolio in the industry integrates the best of the newly Alcatel, Lucent and Nortel combined forces to establish a strong footprint in the telecom equipment market."

Deploying UMTS/HSDPA technology in the 900 MHz spectrum can help mobile operators cost-effectively deliver UMTS/HSDPA services because the lower frequency provides an important increase in base station coverage, significantly reducing (by 60 % in this trial) the number of sites required for rural coverage. Additionally, it enables better signal penetration for in-building coverage, 30% better than with 2100 MHz and can reach 40% in deep indoor penetration.

The trial also proved that the HSDPA throughput could increase by as much as 10%, raising overall network capacity by around 5%. Another critical finding was the ability of the network to hand over calls between base stations operating at different frequencies. The tests confirmed that a GSM900 operator could reuse sites for UMTS technology without having to completely redesign and redeploy the network. This will significantly reduce operational costs tied to new network deployments.