Optus tests TD-LTE carrier aggregation in Melbourne

Optus has put LTE-Advanced carrier aggregation technology to the test on part of its TD-LTE network in Melbourne.

The carrier said the tests aggregated two 20MHz channels of the 2300MHz spectrum that underpins its TD-LTE network, which is branded '4G Plus'.

The tests were conducted earlier this month and "achieved single user peak speeds of over 160Mbps".

Optus claimed the test was "the first time in the world that 4G carrier aggregation has been introduced into a live TD-LTE network, not a lab".

However, users of Optus' TD-LTE network will have to wait until 2014 to take advantage of any carrier aggregation technology deployed on the live network.

This month's trial followed lab tests of the technology by Optus and Huawei at the carrier's labs in Sydney's west.

Optus started piloting its TD-LTE network in Canberra in May this year. The network uses spectrum that was previously used to run the Unwired broadband network.

More locations were added to the TD-LTE network in September of this year.

Rival Telstra is running its own trials of LTE carrier aggregation technology for its FD-LTE networks. Its first-stage trial combined spectrum assets in the 1800MHz and 2600MHz bands.

Further trials are anticipated this financial year that combine spectrum in the 700MHz and 1800MHz bands.