LG shows technology that doubles mobile network capacity

LG has shown the implementation of a technology in its home country of South Korea that can double the capacity of mobile networks. It is still unknown whether the technology is now suitable for use in mobile networks.

The technology is called full duplex radio and LG is developing it as a building block for 5G, writes the South Korean newspaper Korea Times. LG developed the technology together with Yonsei University in Seoul. The demonstration took place on an 80MHz frequency.

With full duplex, a phone can upload and download simultaneously via a mobile network. Now that is not possible. Networks with 4g in the Benelux often work via fdd-lte and use separate frequencies for simultaneous uploading and downloading. TD-LTE networks are also in use in other parts of the world. The uploading and downloading takes place on the same frequency, but not at the same time.

By using full duplex, the capacity of a mobile network can double compared to what is currently possible. This makes it possible to provide more devices with fast mobile internet with the same frequency space. This will become important in the coming years, when many more devices are connected to mobile internet.

Many companies are currently working on techniques that should become part of 5g. It should be clear within a year what exactly 5g should look like, after which the first networks should be up and running from 2018. It may take years before users in the Benelux are on 5g. The new network technology will most likely build on 4G and, in addition to higher speeds, mainly focuses on lowering latency, including for self-driving cars.