The Ericsson Mobility Report | November 2024 report indicated that STC strategies aimed to enhance 5G coverage, performance, and capacity are working well.
STC strategies
Carrier Aggregation
STC is leveraging FDD/TDD carrier aggregation to enhance coverage and network performance.
STC is adding multiple NR carriers (up to four) to increase 5G capacity and peak throughput.
STC has achieved significant improvements in median downlink speeds post-deployment of low-band (700 MHz) with mid-band (3,500 MHz).
Spectrum Optimization
STC has tested and deployed additional TDD mid-band spectrum (e.g., 2,300 MHz) for capacity increases.
STC has enabled third and fourth carrier aggregation to address traffic demands.
Spectrum Utilization
STC has balanced the use of low-band (700 MHz) for coverage and mid-band (3,500 MHz and 2,300 MHz) for capacity.
STC achieved live network throughput of 750 Mbps (90th percentile) with peak rates exceeding 2 Gbps.
RAN Mobility Strategy
STC, as part of spectrum allocation strategy, has prioritized 3,500 MHz, followed by 2,300 MHz and 700 MHz, to optimize user experience.
STC has avoided over-reliance on 700 MHz for 5G to maintain superior user experience compared to 4G.
STC has mitigated low device penetration on 2,300 MHz through targeted strategies.
STC has ensured multi-band aggregation in all scenarios to enhance service reliability.
STC has also deployed advanced RAN and core features such as capability-aware idle mode control; User service-specific mobility; and EN-DC-triggered handovers for seamless connectivity transitions.
STC has set a median speed target of 300 Mbps in deployed 5G areas. STC has focused on enhancing global speed rankings and overall network experience.
STC has conducted extensive field tests to evaluate priority-based assignments; effective aggregation and spectrum utilization models and finalized strategies based on practical outcomes to meet user and service demands.
STC has also devised a mobility strategy to separate Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) layers, ensuring improved mobile experiences and extended FWA coverage. This approach maximizes spectrum utilization and delivers superior performance to both mobile and fixed users.
FWA users in mid-band (2,300 MHz and 3,500 MHz) coverage areas are primarily served by 2,300 MHz for better indoor performance. When outside mid-band coverage, users are served by 700 MHz low-band as PSCell.
A threshold ensures 3,500 MHz remains an SCell to support higher throughput while preventing 700 MHz from operating as a standalone NR layer.
eMBB users prioritize 3,500 MHz for its superior capacity and speed. Devices outside mid-band coverage are served by 700 MHz, with similar thresholds to maintain 3,500 MHz as SCell.
The objective of STC was to avoid reliance on the 700 MHz layer as a standalone NR layer. The STC initiative ensured users experience was better EN-DC performance than LTE-only connections when the “5G icon” is displayed.
ATC, as part of the multi-carrier mobility strategy, has completed the integration of FDD (700 MHz) and TDD (2,300 MHz and 3,500 MHz) bands for optimized service. STC has achieved 245 percent growth in 5G traffic volume within one year.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
