ZTE and MTN Unveil World's First 5-Band RRU for Commercial Use
In a groundbreaking development for telecommunications, ZTE Corporation and MTN, a leading operator in Africa, have announced the commercial launch of the world's first five-band remote radio unit (RRU) in the Western Cape province of South Africa. This marks a pivotal milestone in radio frequency technology, propelling the evolution of the telecommunications sector across the African continent.
South Africa, recognized as one of the most advanced and significant telecommunications markets in Africa, serves a population of over 60 million. MTN showcases an impressive LTE coverage exceeding 97% nationwide, reflecting its commitment to providing high-quality communication services even to the remotest communities.
As the demand for multi-band and multi-module services rises, network operators face increasing challenges, including high energy consumption, tower load, and limited space. The introduction of MTN's five-band RRU is a direct response to these pressing issues. This innovative solution enhances network performance, improves energy efficiency, and simplifies implementation processes, allowing for a faster and more sustainable expansion of next-generation connectivity.
Adding new frequency bands at a mobile site typically necessitates additional hardware, space, and power. However, the five-band RRU, designed with ZTE's internally developed chipset, integrates all of MTN South Africa's low and mid-frequency bands into a single compact unit. This groundbreaking integration reduces the number of radio frequency (RF) RAN modules installed on towers by 50%, decreases equipment weight by 23%, and minimizes wind resistance by 18%. Such optimizations streamline site construction, reduce deployment complexity, and free up valuable tower space.
Moreover, ZTE's innovative SuperN Amplifier architecture employs high-density arrays of power amplifiers, providing on-demand activation capabilities. This sophisticated solution surpasses the efficiency limits of traditional Doherty architectures, maintaining high efficiency even under varying load conditions. As a result, the overall energy consumption of the site is reduced by an impressive 42.7%, while energy efficiency (Wh/GB) improves by 45.8%. This not only supports South Africa's endeavor to develop a green, low-carbon society, but it also establishes a new benchmark for sustainable development within the telecommunications sector.
Rami Farah, Chief Technology Officer of MTN South Africa, remarked, "MTN's partnership with ZTE for the first-ever commercial deployment of a five-band RRU effectively addresses the myriad challenges operators face regarding coverage, capacity, costs, and energy efficiency. This solution provides a replicable, highly integrated site creation framework that accelerates the evolution of telecommunications networks towards greater efficiency and lower carbon emissions, driving ongoing momentum for Africa's digital economy and enhancing its telecommunications technologies."
Luca Shen, CEO of ZTE South Africa, stated, "ZTE has always viewed product leadership as its primary competitive advantage and is committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions. Our close collaboration with MTN not only ensures mutual benefits and positive outcomes for both parties but also accelerates the rapid upgrade of South Africa's telecommunications network, establishing a benchmark for digital transformation throughout the African continent."
ZTE and MTN remain steadfastly committed to advancing telecommunications infrastructure development across Africa, with a focus on energy savings, emission reduction, and promoting digital economies. Guided by a shared vision of "protecting nature through technology and pushing towards the future through innovation," the two companies will continue to collaborate in bridging the digital divide, building smarter and more sustainable networks, and contributing to economic growth and social progress across the continent.
This deployment signifies a major step forward for Africa's digital transformation, emphasizing the immense potential of innovative technology in fostering economic growth while achieving environmental sustainability.