Saudi operator Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) has partnered with Ericsson to introduce 4×4 MIMO technology over its time division duplex LTE (TD-LTE) network in the western region of Saudi Arabia, using Ericsson Radio System and L16 network software release, domestic news source Saudi Gazette reports. The 4×4 MIMO technology increases the spectral efficiency of the LTE connection, thus doubling the data speed to 220Mbps on a 20MHz TDD carrier without the need for additional spectrum.
TeleGeography notes that Mobily used unpaired 2.5GHz spectrum to deploy what it claimed to be ‘the first commercial TD-LTE network in the MENA region’ in September 2011. Mobily’s 4G networks currently cover more than 45 cities and towns, representing around 90% of the populated areas in Saudi Arabia.