On October 16, LG U+ announced that it successfully demonstrated a new technology 'LTE-U' (LTE in Unlicensed spectrum) that can give transmission speeds of up to four times faster than the current LTE for the first time in the world.

The new technology was implemented by using LTE in 5.8 GHz WiFi spectrum band, and thereby combining the band with the existing LTE's.

In the demonstration, a total of 40 MHz (DL) - 20 MHz of unlicensed 5.8 GHz spectrum and 20 MHz of licensed 2.6 GHz spectrum - were aggregated, achieving a download speed of up to 300 Mbps.

The idea of combining across heterogeneous networks itself is not new.

Previously, demonstrations of aggregation over heterogeneous networks ('WiFi + LTE'), where WiFi signals and LTE signals are combined in a device, have been conducted by KT and also by SK Telecom.

However, what is different with this LTE-U is that it sends LTE signals RIGHT FROM the WiFi band as well, explained the company.

Noticing that the WiFi spectrum, being unlicensed, can be freely used not only for WiFi, but also for any other services like
LTE without having to obtain a separate license, LG U+ came up with the idea of LTE-U.

More than 70% of LG U+'s users are subscribing to LTE service, and the number is still increasing. Once LTE-U is commercialized, the company should be able to efficiently distribute everincreasing LTE data traffic by taking advantage of the WiFi band, and also deliver speeds higher than that of LTE only 3-band CA.

The company added that it is commercializing LTE-U as well as 3-band CA, to provide LTE-U service through femto cells for indoor users and 3-band CA service for outdoor users.

The company aims to commercialize LTE-U in the second half of 2015 when LTE-U-ready chipsets are launched in the market.

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