Claro Brasil implements Ericsson Spectrum Sharing

Claro Brasil is the first 5G network in Latin America using Ericsson’s dynamic spectrum sharing technology.

Ericsson’s dynamic spectrum sharing solution gives Claro a head-start in rolling out initial 5G services while waiting for the 3.5GHz and the 26GHz bands. In addition to these bands, Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency is expected to award frequencies in the 700MHz and 2.3GHz bands during the 5G auction expected to happen in 2021.

Claro's 5G services are being rolled out initially across 12 areas in Brazil in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Ericsson said its Spectrum Sharing will enable Claro to deliver data speeds reaching 400Mbps. 

José Félix, President of Claro, says: “Ericsson Spectrum Sharing allows us to offer the first 5G network in Latin America. Claro has state-of-the-art infrastructure, which already offers the fastest 4.5G in the country, and now we take the lead by offering migration to 5G, even before the new frequencies dedicated to this new technology have been granted in Brazil. We have unique conditions to offer the best 5G experience and this reinforces our commitment to Brazil and to innovation. Despite the difficult times we have all been experiencing, we will continue to evolve and invest in order to always offer the best to our clients.” 

Arun Bansal, President of Europe and Latin America, Ericsson, says: “Claro’s customers in Brazil will soon be able to tap into the incredible power of 5G. This next generation network has far-reaching potential to transform the country, from agriculture to smart cities.

With Ericsson Spectrum Sharing, 5G can be activated through a software update on any of the five million 5G-ready radios that Ericsson has delivered to the world market since 2015, with more than 400,000 in Brazil.

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Claro Brazil partners with Huawei to launch 4.5G

Huawei announced that Claro Brazil recently launched what is claimed to be the first commercial 4.5G network in Brazil, incorporating 4 x 4 MIMO, carrier aggregation (CA) and 256QAM technology, in the city of Brasilia.

Claro demonstrated 4.5G data rates averaging 250 Mbit/s on compatible smartphones during the release ceremony in Brasilia, which is claimed to be around ten times the average rate delivered on the existing 4G network. Claro also announced its new tariff policy at the event, which features increased data allowances for existing packages.

Huawei noted that as smartphones featuring support for both 4 x 4 MIMO and 256QAM become available in the market, users will be able to access the enhanced capabilities offered by the 4.5G network. On the network side, Claro is able to provide mobile Internet access with fibre-like speeds to mobile customers with suitable devices.

Huawei noted that 4.5G Evolution helps operators enhance their networks by introducing 5G technologies into existing 4G networks. This can allow operators to trial 5G-like services and develop the business models that 5G will support in the future.

Separately, Huawei announced that working with French operator SFR it had completed the first pre-commercial field verification of 4 x 4 MIMO technology in France, enabling a downlink throughput of 628.3 Mbit/s using a commercially available phone on SFR's 4.5G network.

The tests with SFR involved a commercial phone operating on the live SFR 4.5G network and served to verify that the use of 4 x 4 MIMO, combined with 2 CC carrier aggregation and 256QAM modulation, can enable throughput of up to 628.3 Mbit/s. Huawei noted that SFR is aiming to extend its 4.5G network coverage to 90% of customers in France by the end of the year, and to increase this to 99% during 2018.

Commenting on the network launch, Claro CEO Paulo César Teixeira said, "The commercial release of the 4.5G network, with 4 x 4 MIMO, carrier aggregation, 700 MHz spectrum activation and advanced modulation, will help the Brazilian communications industry to play a significant role in the worldwide arena, as the country is a pioneer in this technology… Claro will use the recently acquired 700 MHz frequency band as a part of its ongoing effort to build a quality, next-gen mobile network nationwide".

http://www.huawei.com/en/news

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