T-Mobile is adding extra antennas to cell towers for a more consistent connection

[Shawn Knight]

T-Mobile is in the process of upgrading its LTE network but instead of focusing on faster connection speeds, the carrier is aiming to alleviate another wireless pain point: the inconsistent connection as users move around on the network.

The technology is called 4-by-2 multiple input, multiple output, or 4x2 MIMO. Those up to speed with Wi-Fi technology are likely already familiar with it. If not, it’s a pretty simple concept to grasp as it uses multiple antennas to send multiple parallel transmissions to and from a device.

As GigaOm highlights, virtually every LTE system in use today uses 2x2 MIMO. That means two antennas on the cell tower are used to send two simultaneous streams to two antennas on your mobile device. But with 4x2 MIMO, T-Mobile is doubling down on the number of tower antennas for a total of four.

Increasing the number of signals heading your way won’t boost top-end speeds but it will result in a more consistent experience. That means you’ll be far less likely to go from five bars of service to just two simply by moving 20 yards in one direction, for example.

But as the publication points out, the upstream will benefit the most from the new technology. According to Petri Hautakangas, Nokia networks’ Head of Technology for North America, users can expect to see a 50 to 60 percent boost in download performance and as much as a 100 percent increase in upload speed in areas where connections typically suffer the most.

The service already appears to be active in Chicago, Dallas and San Antonio based on independent reports but we’re still waiting to hear something official from T-Mobile on the matter.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/56540-t-mobile-is-adding-extra-antennas-to-cell-towers-for-a-more-consistent-connection.html

 

[tonylukac]

More radiation too.

 

[Jad Chaar]

Good to see that T-mobile is trying hard to be a big player in the mobile industry.

 

[Guest]

Non-ionizing radiation, Mister Tinfoil

 

[Spykezxp]

Got to admit that T-Mobile is putting the other carriers in the US to shame with all the different (yet better) ideas that they are implementing. Hopefully the other carriers get the clue and start doing the same. The idea of adding more antennas not to boost speed, but to boost connectivity is what's really needed for ALL carriers (at least in the US). What's next T-Mobile?

 

[Fbarnett]

Got to admit that T-Mobile is putting the other carriers in the US to shame with all the different (yet better) ideas that they are implementing. Hopefully the other carriers get the clue and start doing the same. The idea of adding more antennas not to boost speed, but to boost connectivity is what's really needed for ALL carriers (at least in the US). What's next T-Mobile?

It is nice they are talking about all this. But the problem is all T-Mobile does is talk about what they are doing and what others do wrong. If you have to be one of the 10 people live on the right block in the 3 cities mentioned this might benefit you. The rest of the us has to wait yet again

 

[tipstir]

I don't use them because they don't do rural area's but the towers are use by them all not just T-Mobile. So unless they're going to add some to the current towers. I doubt they're going to start putting up those odd structures around area.

Somehow they're office outlet the single is strongest. So if you can do that then you should do the same for your customers.

 

[mctommy]

I don't use them because they don't do rural area's but the towers are use by them all not just T-Mobile. So unless they're going to add some to the current towers. I doubt they're going to start putting up those odd structures around area.

Somehow they're office outlet the single is strongest. So if you can do that then you should do the same for your customers.

Jesus, I just got a headache reading this and trying to understand you.

If you know how the wireless industry works and especially how cell tower management works, most standard towers in the US will be built with 2-5 antenna sets and used by one or more carriers. The tower itself may be owned by the carrier and used by them but often will be subleased to other carriers. Often times, those towers are owned by wireless real estate management companies (like GTP, CrownCastle) whose sole purpose is to maintain and lease spaces on those towers.

This article seems to indicate that they are adding more antennas to those arrays that they currently operate so that they can increase capacity/connectivity.

 

[RustyTech]

Not sure if anyone here remembers, but T-Mobile sold like 6,000 towers; so first they cannibalize themselves and now they're trying to do what...improve coverage somehow? It seems that this day and age, those making the decisions have NO common sense. What's the point of placing antennas on less towers, wouldn't have it been better having more towers?

 

[mctommy]

Not sure if anyone here remembers, but T-Mobile sold like 6,000 towers; so first they cannibalize themselves and now they're trying to do what...improve coverage somehow? It seems that this day and age, those making the decisions have NO common sense. What's the point of placing antennas on less towers, wouldn't have it been better having more towers?

It was actually 7100 towers (of those only 600 or so were actually sold). They didn't sell those towers per se. They sold the rights to operate them (to Crown Castle) but remain tenants on them (still have antennas). AT&T announced a similar deal AT&T made with Crown Castle.

In that type of structure, Crown Castle manages and promotes subleasing of tower space in exchange of paying T-Mobile and AT&T a sum of money. Both T-Mobile and AT&T remain on the towers.

These types of deals are not uncommon because wireless carriers often times do not want to be managing towers and rather pay a management company to worry about paying landlords, managing sublessees, getting permits, etc...