Nokia Networks gets FACHs right with new smartphone tests

Nokia Networks has conducted a live network trial of new software that improves smartphone performance on 3G networks.

Its High Speed Cell FACH software is said to reduce smartphone generated network signalling by as much as 80 percent, speed up response time by up to 65 percent and provide one- fifth quicker browsing speeds. Power savings of up to 40 percent were achieved in Qualcomm 3G cellular modems.

The vendor said the test was held on a European operator’s 3G/HSPA network on test devices running Qualcomm Snapdragon processors that support the FACH software.

The software comprises three features of the 3GPP standard, Enhanced Cell_FACH Downlink, Enhanced Cell_FACH Uplink and Enhanced DRX Cell_FACH. Nokia said these features handle data packets more efficiently, allowing networks to support a greater amount of smartphones.

Thorsten Robrecht, Vice President, Mobile Broadband Portfolio Management at Nokia Networks, commented: “Smartphones already outsell feature phones and by 2018, smartphone penetration in some developed markets is expected to exceed 90 percent. With virtually all these smartphones being 3G-enabled, it’s important to be able to improve network efficiency under high signaling load. Nokia Networks already offers a unique set of software features to reduce smartphone signaling. High Speed Cell FACH is now the next step.”

High Speed Cell FACH is available as part of the vendor’s Liquid Radio WCDMA Software Suite. Qualcomm supports the functionality on the latest version of its Snapdragon processors.

The tests are the latest between Nokia Networks and Qualcomm test devices. Last week the vendor demonstrated carrier aggregation across three bands of spectrum, using the chipset maker’s Snapdragon 810 processor.

Nokia said the trials could lead to more operators deploying LTE-Advanced networks.

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