Australian operator Optus launched 3x Carrier Aggregation (3x CA) using 1x FDD + 2x TDD technology with commercial network software and a commercial device. This is the world's first such commercial launch, the operator said.
Following extensive development and testing, Optus switched on 3x CA in the Newcastle NSW suburbs of Lambton, Mayfield and Mayfield West ahead of the first compatible category 9 devices being released commercially in Australia.
The addition of this 3x CA technology to the Optus 4G Plus network at these locations means Optus customers with the latest category 9 smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ and Samsung Galaxy Note 5, can experience significantly maximised mobile download speeds compared to a single 4G channel. Dennis Wong, Acting Managing Director Optus Networks, said mobile data download speeds of 317Mbps were achieved on 14 August on the live network using a category 9 device at Mayfield West in Newcastle.
2x CA is already available on the Optus 4G Plus network in selected areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin as well as 20 major regional centres.
