Optus has taken a significant step in advancing its 5G capabilities by deploying Ericsson’s Interference Sensing technology on its live network. This marks a world-first milestone in utilizing this technology to enhance network performance and deliver superior data experiences for users. The technology dynamically detects and mitigates inter-cell interference in real-time.
Interference Sensing is a proprietary software feature within Ericsson’s Massive MIMO 5G Advanced portfolio. It uses algorithms to sense and reduce interference, thereby increasing user throughput and network capacity. Through Ericsson’s beam-forming technology, the signal energy is maximized for serving cell users while minimizing interference with neighboring cell users, which significantly boosts overall network performance.
During the pilot tests, Optus reported a 22 percent average increase in user throughput. This benchmark was achieved by enabling the Interference Sensing functionality across multiple users and cells. The pilot demonstrated the potential of this technology in addressing inter-cell interference issues, which are expected to become more prevalent as 5G networks densify. Such interference mitigation ensures reliable and superior connectivity.
Commenting on the implications of this technology, Optus stated, “This technology will deliver a better data experience for customers, with faster data throughput. It will also allow for the implementation of new and improved use cases for video streaming, enterprise and consumer mobile cloud gaming services, stadium 5G service applications, and AR/VR.” This illustrates the potential for broader applications beyond just enhanced user experiences.
In conclusion, Optus’s pilot of the Interference Sensing technology paints an optimistic picture for the future of 5G. The demonstrated improvements in network performance and user experience set the stage for broader implementation. As other telecommunications companies watch these developments, we might soon see similar deployments across global networks.
