Ericsson and Mobily test 5G 6 Component Carrier Aggregation, achieve 4.2 Gbps downlink throughput

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), in partnership with Mobily and MediaTek, has tested six-component carrier aggregation (6CC) on a live 5G Standalone (SA) network, achieving downlink throughput of 4.2 Gbps in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using MediaTek’s latest 5G platform.

The test was conducted with advanced Ericsson Spectrum Sharing (ESS) and 5G Carrier Aggregation software features to aggregate six 5G carriers spanning a total spectrum of 310 megahertz (MHz). The aggregated carriers comprise three Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) bands and three Time Division Duplex (TDD) bands. A MediaTek device, equipped to support 6CC Carrier Aggregation, played a critical role in validating the achievement. This achievement marks the first global 5G 6CC on a live 5G standalone network with 3 FDD and 3 TDD carriers.  

6CC is a feature of 5G Carrier Aggregation that allows six frequency bands to be combined for higher peak rates and increased cell coverage. 5G Carrier Aggregation is a technology that allows multiple frequency bands to be aggregated for higher performance and efficiency.

The implementation of 5G 6CC Carrier Aggregation allows Mobily to enable innovative services such as Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), seamless live video streaming, and immersive Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) applications. These advancements support Saudi Vision 2030‘s digital transformation goals by enabling advanced connectivity for consumers and industries alike.

Omar Alomar, Chief Networks Officer at Mobily, says: "Achieving this milestone reflects our commitment to providing our customers with the fastest connectivity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. By working closely with Ericsson, we will be able to increase network speed, push the boundaries of 5G and lay the groundwork for new services that will redefine the way people live, work, and connect in Saudi Arabia."

Håkan Cervell, Vice President and Head of Ericsson Saudi Arabia at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, says: "Ericsson’s advanced solutions, including Ericsson Spectrum Sharing and Carrier Aggregation, empower our partners to unlock the full potential of their 5G networks. This achievement is more than just a technical success – it is about enabling possibilities. Together with Mobily, we are helping to turn the promise of 5G into a reality that directly benefits people and businesses across Saudi Arabia, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals for a connected and innovative future."

This milestone addresses the exponential growth in mobile data consumption, with Ericsson’s November 2024 Mobility Report highlighting a 20 percent year-on-year increase in network traffic and an 11 percent annual growth in per-subscriber data usage across the GCC region. The report also projects that the GCC region will lead the world in 5G penetration, reaching 93 percent adoption by 2030. Technologies like 5G SA and Carrier Aggregation are instrumental in achieving this vision, expanding network capabilities while optimizing spectrum usage.

Ericsson’s Carrier Aggregation solutions seamlessly integrate multiple spectrum bands, boosting 5G coverage and capacity. Powered by Advanced RAN Coordination, these innovations ensure uncompromised throughput, higher peak rates, and unmatched deployment flexibility.