Vodafone and University of Málaga collaborate with Intel to boost 5G uplink speeds

Vodafone and TELMA (Telecommunication Research Institute of University of Málaga), in collaboration with Intel, have developed a new algorithm to boost 5G uplink speeds and capacity, allowing more customers to upload and send videos, photos and files faster.

Typically, today’s networks are built to provide faster download links – which deliver large files and videos to a user’s smartphone or device – compared with the uplink connection used to request information from a website or an app. Vodafone and TELMA, in collaboration with Intel, have teamed up to develop an innovative ‘equaliser’ algorithm to service the growing popularity of cloud storage.

Serving more customers

The algorithm is designed to improve the uplink speeds and capacity of a mobile base station – potentially serving more than eight simultaneous users per radio unit, more than the current capacity available in the market (typically a base station has 11 radio units in urban areas). It does this by optimising a technique called spatial multiplexing, which allows multiple data channels to be established within the same radio frequency band – like adding more lanes to a motorway.

The technique maximises the use of Massive MIMO (a technology suited to connecting many users in busy urban areas) which is based on multiple transmitters within a single radio antenna, eliminating the need for more masts. Specifically, Vodafone and TELMA have developed algorithms that can accelerate the necessary mathematical calculation needed to process customer traffic over a Massive MIMO based network, crucially without any degradation in quality to customers.

Improved transmission capabilities

As a result, engineers from Vodafone’s Innovation Centre in Málaga, Spain, TELMA and Intel estimate that uplink speeds could potentially reach double that of existing solutions. In addition, the proposed solution is scalable, meaning that as the number of Massive MIMO antennas increases in the future, the transmission speed could possibly quadruple.

This initiative underpins Vodafone’s aim to work with academia and key partners to jointly develop new, more efficient and cost-effective ways to enhance the mobile user experience. The company is also expanding the research and development ecosystem for the development of next generation Open RAN Intellectual Properties (IP) which is needed to support the insatiable demand for AI-driven applications and services.

Support for Open Radio Access Networks (RAN)

This development, expected to be completed by 2026, will be offered to the Open RAN supplier community for implementation in their solutions. The collaboration positions Vodafone at the forefront of 5G and chip technology, enhancing customers’ experience with faster data speeds, improved signal quality, greater coverage, and a more reliable and sustainable network.