Telecom Italia (TIM) has claimed a world first, demonstrating download speeds of up to 1Gbps on a live mobile network using License Assisted Access (LAA) technology. The company said the advanced antennas and modulations already implemented in its 4.5G network have been further enhanced with LAA technology that combines existing LTE frequencies with non-licensed 5GHz spectrum. In a statement announcing the successful trial, TIM said the technology was particularly effective for hot spot coverage in stadiums, shopping centres, squares and parks via small cells with low visual impact. It added that the 1Gbps service will be commercially available from September in Milan and Turin, before eventually rolling out to other large cities throughout Italy.
The live network test saw TIM use a new-generation ASUS smartphone equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and an integrated LTE X16 modem via Ericsson’s LTE-Licensed Assisted Access network technology.
