For an SNR = 20 dB channel, the channel capacity of a 2 x 2 uncorrelated MIMO system is about 11 bits/s/Hz.

MiMo technology can offer increased data throughput on both the downlink and uplink without
requiring additional bandwidth or transmit power. Rather than having twice the transmit power
MiMo allows the device to spread the transmit power across the antennas to achieve diversity
gain to improve link reliability.

By using multiple antennas we can forget about the difficulties in transmitting over air and instead place
the burden on the signal processing hardware in your modem. Because all the antennas transmit at the
same frequencies, no extra per-user bandwidth is required from the phone tower. Spatial Multiplexing is a
set of clever modulation techniques that allow us to transmit independent streams from multiple
antennas on the same frequencies without garbling the information we send.

India
2G
capabilities
3G
capabilities
4G
capabilities

GSM 900, GSM 1800

UMTS 2100
LTE 1800, LTE 2300

In a nutshell, each Generation is defined as a set of telephone network standards, which detail the
technological implementation of a particular mobile phone system.

1G frequency bands
Introduced in 1987 by Telecom (known today as Telstra), Australia received its first cellular mobile phone
network utilising a 1G analog system. The analog network was responsible for those bulky handheld
'bricks' that you might have had the displeasure of using and your wallet the displeasure of buying
(originally retailed at around $4250).
The technology behind 1G was the AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System) network. Permanently
switched off at the end of 1999, AMPS was a voice-only network operating on the 800MHz band. Being a
primitive radio technology, AMPS operated in the same manner as a regular radio transmission, much
like your UHF radio where the 800MHz band was split up into a number of channels (395 voice, 21
control) via FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access). Each channel was 30KHz wide and could support
only one user at any time, meaning that the maximum number of mobile phone users per cell tower was
395. The tower assessed the signal strength of each user and assigned channels dynamically, ensuring
that channels could be reused by multiple towers without interference.
Problematic? Yes, and not just a limited number of users..
Just like your UHF radio, anyone with a radio scanner capable of receiving/transmitting on the 800MHz
band could drop in on your call. Being analog, the 800MHz band was also susceptible to background
noise and static caused by nearby electronic devices. However the simplicity of the AMPS design meant
it did have one advantage over later 2G networks - coverage. An AMPS user could connect to a cell tower
as far as the signal could be transmitted (often >40km depending on terrain).
At its peak, the 1G network had around 2 million subscribers.

2G frequency bands

Fast forward to 1993 Telecom, now known as Telstra, introduces the digital network. The introduction
came about to overcome many of the issues with the AMPS network highlighted above, with network
congestion and security being the most important two motivators. With this new technology came many
of the services we now take for granted - text messaging, multimedia messaging, internet access, etc,
and also introduced us to the SIM card.
This fancy new digital network is called GSM - Global System for Mobile Communication, and its
technological backbone of choice is TDMA (similar to FDMA). The radio frequency band utilised by GSM is
the 900MHz spectrum and later introduced on the 1800MHz band.
So how is this network any better than AMPS? The secret lies in TDMA - Time Division Multiple Access.
The FDMA component splits the 900MHz (actually 890MHz to 915MHz) band into 124 channels that are
200KHz wide. The 'time' component then comes into play in which each channel is split into eight
0.577us bursts,significantly increasing the maximum number of users at any one time. We don't hear a
'stuttering' of a persons voice thanks to the wonders of digital compression codecs, which we're not
going to go into here.
Aside from more users per cell tower, the digital network offers many other important features:
- digital encryption (64bit A5/1 stream cipher)
- packet data (used for MMS/Internet access)
- SMS text messaging
- caller ID and other similar network features.
Problems? You bet. Unlike its AMPS predecessor, GSM is limited severely in range. The TDMA technology
behind the 2G network means that if a mobile phone cannot respond within its given timeslot (0.577us
bursts) the phone tower will drop you and begin handling another call. Aside from this, packet data
transmission rates on GSM are extremely slow, and if you're on Vodafone/3/Virgin/Optus you've probably
had first hand experience on this when you go outside your networks defined 'coverage zone'.
To overcome these two problems we're going to introduce two new networks - CDMA and EDGE.

CDMA
Code Division Multiple Access. This branch of 2G was introduced by Telstra in September 1999 as a
replacement for customers who could receive a good signal on AMPS, but were outside GSM's limited
range. The extended range is achieved by removing the 'time' based multiplexing with a code-based
multiplexing. A lower frequency band (800MHz) also assisted in range by reduced path loss and
attenuation.
Picture a room full of people having conversations - under TDMA each person takes their turn talking (ie
time division), conversely CDMA allows many people to talk at the same time but is the equivalent of
each person speaking a different language, ie in a unique code. This of course isn't exactly how it works,
if you want to know more there are some resources at the bottom of the page.

EDGE
Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution. GSM introduced a GPRS based packet data network in 2001,
with a max speed of around 60-80kbps (downlink), equating to a download speed of 10kB/s - slightly
faster than dial-up.
EDGE was later introduced as a bolt-on protocol (no new technology was required) increasing the data
rate of the 2G network to around 237kbps (29kB/s).

3G - The Mobile Broadband Revolution

Introducing the 2100MHz network. Three Mobile in conjunction with Telstra brought the 3G standard to
life in 2005, servicing major metropolitan areas initially and over the following years expanding coverage

to 50% of the Australian population. Leased out to Optus/Vodafone/Virgin, the 2100MHz combined with a
900MHz network forms the basis of all non-Telstra mobile broadband services, servicing around 94% of
Australian residences.
The 3G standard utilises a new technology called UMTS as its core network architecture - Universal
Mobile Telecommunications System. This network combines aspects of the 2G network with some new
technology and protocols to deliver a significantly faster data rate.
The base technology of UMTS is the WCDMA air interface which is technologically similar to CDMA
introduced earlier, where multiple users can transmit on the same frequency by use of a code based
multiplexing. Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) takes this concept and stretches the frequency band to 5MHz.
The system also involves significant algorithmic and mathematical improvements in signal transmission,
allowing more efficient transmissions at a lower wattage (250mW compared to 2W for 2G networks).
The new network also employs a much more secure encryption algorithm when transmitting over the air.
3G uses a 128-bit A5/3 stream cipher which, unlike A5/1 used in GSM (which can be cracked in near realtime using a ciphertext-only attack), has no known practical weaknesses.
So how is 3G faster than EDGE?
UMTS employs a protocol called HSPA - High Speed Packet Access, which is a combination of HSDPA
(downlink) and HSUPA (uplink) protocols. The Telstra HSDPA network supports category 10 devices
(speeds up to 14.4Mbps down) however most devices are only capable of category 7/8 transmission
(7.2Mbps down), and its HSUPA network supports category 6 (5.76Mbps up). These protocols have an
improved transport layer by a complex arrangement of physical layer channels (HS-SCCH, HS-DPCCH and
HS-PDSCH). The technological implementation of HSPA will not be discussed here but for a basic
explanation feel free to watch the below video.
The only major limitation of the 3G network is, not surprisingly, coverage. As stated earlier the 2100MHz
network is available to around 50% of Australia's population and when combined with a 900MHz UMTS
network available to about 94%. As expected, the higher 2100MHz component suffers far more
attenuation and FSPL and is often considered a 'short range' mobile network which is why a lower
900MHz network is required to service many regional and rural areas.
To overcome the coverage limitations of regular 3G, Telstra introduced its Next-G network (considered a
'3.5G' network) in late 2006, operating on the 850MHz spectrum. The lower radio frequency coupled with
a far greater number of phone towers is responsible for Telstra's Next-G network being over twice the
geographical size (around 2.2 million square km) of any other network, and servicing 99% of Australian
residences.
Aside from coverage, the other major selling point behind the Next-G network is its blisteringly fast
network speed. Rated up to 42Mbps (up to 5.25MB/s) the network has the ability to operate faster than
the theoretical maximum of most high speed cable internet services. This is the result of an enhanced
packet data network - HSPA+ which was implemented in 2008 as an upgrade to large portions of the
Telstra network.
HSPA+ also known as Evolved HSPA, utilises Dual Carrier technology and 64QAM modulation order to
deliver these high speeds. HSPA+ is responsible for the 'Elite' and 'Ultimate' series modems released in
2010, with the Elite capable of up to 21Mbps, and the Ultimate up to 42Mbps.
The Ultimate series modems theoretically double the speed of the Elite device by the utilisation of Dual
Carrier HSPA+. This big increase in speed is achieved by the use of dual antennas, you can think of an
Ultimate modem as having two Elite modems in the one unit. Combining this technology with MIMO
"Multiple In Multiple Out" architecture we can hope to see speeds increased to 84Mbps (ie doubling the
42Mbps) on the Telstra Next-G network in the near future.

4G - LTE-Advanced
Initially available in major cities, airports and selected regional areas in October 2011, Telstra's 4G
network offers significantly faster speeds, lower latency, and reduced network congestion.
The 4G network is based on LTE-Advanced - 3GPP Long Term Evolution. LTE is a series of upgrades to
existing UMTS technology and will be rolled out on Telstra's existing 1800MHz frequency band. This new
network boosts peak downloads speeds up to 100Mbps and 50Mbps upload, latency reduced from around
300ms to less than 100ms, and significantly lower congestion. For more technical details on peak 4G
speeds check out our fastest 4G speed guide.
Most areas in Australia 4G has a 15MHz bandwidth and operates on the following frequency ranges:
Tower Tx: 1805-1820MHz
Tower Rx: 1710-1725MHz
New South Wales and Victoria have a much smaller bandwidth of 10MHz and operate on the following
frequencies:
Tower Tx: 1805-1815MHz
Tower Rx: 1710-1720MHz
4G bandwidth (ie the width of frequencies we can send and receive on) is critical in supporting high
speed and a high number of users. Because in order for your connection not to get confused with
someone else's, each user is allocated a small sliver of frequencies that they can transmit on and nobody
else can. You'll notice this most during peak usage hours, where as more people start using the tower it
will reduce the width of your (and everyone else's) sliver of frequencies, resulting in each person getting
a reduced download/upload speed.
Naturally this is a very simplified explanation (for more info read up on OFDMA and SCFDMA) but for our
purposes it will suffice.
Given the big reduction in coverage you might be wondering why Telstra chose to deploy its 4G network
on the 1800MHz band. Like most decisions the biggest factor governing the choice is money. Already
licensed by Telstra, the underutilised 1800MHz network was previously used to provide 2G voice calling
and text messaging services, and 2G EDGE data services (often indicated by the 'E' symbol on your
phone). By converting this band from 2G over to 4G, the network can be deployed with drastically
reduced cost and time to market. Instead of building new cell towers, the existing 1800MHz antennas
could be swapped with antennas designed for MIMO LTE services and other hardware changes kept to a
minimum.
The limited choice of available mobile spectrum means that for the next few years 1800MHz will remain
the band of choice for 4G services. Around 2015 the 700MHz "digital dividend" band will become
available and we can expect to see a much higher performing 4G network with far greater coverage,
speed and signal penetration.
4G uses a technology called MIMO "Multiple In Multiple Out" where your modem uses two separate
antennas at once to deliver super fast speeds.
Normal 3G and Next-G signals are broadcast vertically polarised, where the wave travels "up and down".
LTE MIMO waves are slant polarised where each wave is rotated 45 degrees from the horizontal, mirrored
so the first is at 45 degrees and the other at 135 degrees. This smart little trick is called polarisation
diversity and allows your modem to distinguish two independent streams of data over the same
frequency allocated by the cell tower.
Because our modem has two internal antennas each responsible for receiving one stream of data, it is
absolutely crucial we have two separate external antennas. We cannot use a 'Y' patch lead or some other
trick to connect both ports of the modem into one antenna, nor can we connect both external antennas

into one port.

It is important to know MIMO is switched on and off by the modem. The decision whether to use MIMO is
negotiated with the cell tower, whereby the quality of the received and transmitted signals are assessed
(a metric known as CQI). When signal strength or quality is low it's difficult for the modem to distinguish
between the two data streams, so when signal levels drop below a certain threshold level, MIMO is
switched off and the modem operates with only one antenna (Port 1 on Sierra Wireless modems).

3G frequency bands
Telstra NextG UMTS 850MHz Metropolitan and regional
Telstra 3G UMTS 2100MHz Metropolitan only
Optus YesG UMTS 900/2100MHz Metropolitan and regional
Optus 3G UMTS 2100MHz Metropolitan only
Vodaphone 3G UMTS 2100MHz Metropolitan and some regional
Vodaphone 3G UMTS 900MHz Some smaller regional areas

4G frequency bands
The FDD LTE frequency bands are paired to allow simultaneous transmission on two frequencies. The bands also have
a sufficient separation to enable the transmitted signals not to unduly impair the receiver performance. If the signals are
too close then the receiver may be "blocked" and the sensitivity impaired. The separation must be sufficient to enable
the roll-off of the antenna filtering to give sufficient attenuation of the transmitted signal within the receive band
FDD LTE BANDS & FREQUENCIES
LTE BAND
NUMBER

UPLINK
(MHZ)

DOWNLINK
(MHZ)

WIDTH OF
BAND
(MHZ)

DUPLEX
SPACING
(MHZ)

BAND GAP
(MHZ)

1920 - 1980

2110 - 2170

60

190

130

1850 - 1910

1930 - 1990

60

80

20

1710 - 1785

1805 -1880

75

95

20

1710 - 1755

2110 - 2155

45

400

355

824 - 849

869 - 894

25

45

20

830 - 840

875 - 885

10

35

25

2500 - 2570

2620 - 2690

70

120

50

880 - 915

925 - 960

35

45

10

1749.9 - 1784.9

1844.9 - 1879.9

35

95

60

10

1710 - 1770

2110 - 2170

60

400

340

11

1427.9 - 1452.9

1475.9 - 1500.9

20

48

28

12

698 - 716

728 - 746

18

30

12

13

777 - 787

746 - 756

10

-31

41

14

788 - 798

758 - 768

10

-30

40

15

1900 - 1920

2600 - 2620

20

700

680

16

2010 - 2025

2585 - 2600

15

575

560

17

704 - 716

734 - 746

12

30

18

18

815 - 830

860 - 875

15

45

30

19

830 - 845

875 - 890

15

45

30

20

832 - 862

791 - 821

30

-41

71

21

1447.9 - 1462.9

1495.5 - 1510.9

15

48

33

22

3410 - 3500

3510 - 3600

90

100

10

23

2000 - 2020

2180 - 2200

20

180

160

FDD LTE BANDS & FREQUENCIES

LTE BAND
NUMBER

UPLINK
(MHZ)

DOWNLINK
(MHZ)

WIDTH OF
BAND
(MHZ)

DUPLEX
SPACING
(MHZ)

BAND GAP
(MHZ)

24

1625.5 - 1660.5

1525 - 1559

34

-101.5

135.5

25

1850 - 1915

1930 - 1995

65

80

15

26

814 - 849

859 - 894

30 / 40

27

807 - 824

852 - 869

17

45

28

28

703 - 748

758 - 803

45

55

10

29

n/a

717 - 728

11

10

30

2305 - 2315

2350 - 2360

10

45

35

31

452.5 - 457.5

462.5 - 467.5

10

With the interest in TDD LTE, there are several unpaired frequency allocations that are being prepared for LTR TDD
use. The TDD LTE bands are unpaired because the uplink and downlink share the same frequency, being time
multiplexed.

TDD LTE BANDS & FREQUENCIES

LTE BAND
NUMBER

ALLOCATION (MHZ)

WIDTH OF BAND (MHZ)

33

1900 - 1920

20

34

2010 - 2025

15

35

1850 - 1910

60

36

1930 - 1990

60

37

1910 - 1930

20

38

2570 - 2620

50

39

1880 - 1920

40

40

2300 - 2400

100

41

2496 - 2690

194

42

3400 - 3600

200

43

3600 - 3800

200

44

703 - 803

100