Traditionally, when mobile operators launch a new next-generation network, several capacity approaches are common. Virtually every next-generation mobile network has launched using new spectrum bands. Mobile operators also recover spectrum from older networks seeing less usage.
Some new tools also are available. Spectrum sharing now is feasible, in several forms. One form is to aggregate licensed and unlicensed spectrum, typically mobile and Wi-Fi. Another new tool is allowing shared use of already-licensed spectrum, such as Citizens Broadband Radio Service.
There also are ways to use existing network assets to support the next-generation service.
Ericsson’s dynamic spectrum sharing solution, for example, now is commercially available, allowing mobile operators to deliver both 4G and 5G within the same spectrum, using the same radio and the same band, with capacity allocated dynamically, not in a static way.
In principle, DSS allows mobile operators using Ericsson networks to deploy 5G anywhere 4G radio infrastructure exists, by means of a software upgrade.
That has obvious benefits for a quick upgrade to 5G with at least some capital investment savings, albeit with the need to preserve 4G user experience.
On the other hand, AT&T also is partially using the traditional tool of spectrum repurposing or refarming, shifting perhaps 10 MHz of spectrum away from 4G and instead supporting 5G.
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