April 29, 2010 - Marking an important milestone in TD-LTE commercialization, Samsung and Nokia Siemens Networks have successfully conducted the world’s first TD-LTE data call using a prototype end-user device. The demonstration proved the interoperability of Nokia Siemens Networks’ end to end TD-LTE network solution with Samsung’s TD-LTE USB dongle.

The trialing of TD-LTE data calls, which can be used for high-definition video services, was conducted at Nokia Siemens Networks’ R&D Center in Hangzhou, China. The call employed the company’s TD-LTE infrastructure, comprising both the award-winning Flexi Multiradio Base Station and the company’s core network solution, including the Flexi NS (Network Server) and the Flexi NG (Network Gateway) – all using LTE software compliant with the 3GPP March 09 baseline specifications. TD-LTE devices from Samsung were used proving the interoperability between them and the network. TD-LTE is the variant of LTE for unpaired spectrum expected to be deployed by operators such as China Mobile.

“As the evolutionary path for China Mobile’s 3G TD-SCDMA networks, as well as an option for other operators around the world who have available unpaired spectrum, TD-LTE is one of the important global standards. As a leader in next-generation mobile technology, we see it as a great growth opportunity,” said Byung-Duck Cho, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics’ R&D Center. “This demonstration ensures the cohesive development of our devices for the roll-out of TD-LTE technology at a quicker pace.”

“This is an important milestone in building the TD-LTE ecosystem,” said Marc Rouanne, head of Nokia Siemens Networks’ Network Systems business unit. “This successful data call demonstrates the end-to-end interoperability of TD-LTE network and device equipment. It also shows our global commercial readiness for deployments of TD-LTE, expected in the second half of 2010.”

In October 2009, Nokia Siemens Networks achieved the first TD-LTE data call on its Flexi Multiradio Base Station with fully standards-compliant software. Moreover, in April of this year, the company inaugurated the industry’s first TD-LTE open lab in its Hangzhou Development Center, providing an end-to-end testing environment to verify the compatibility of terminals and devices with the company's TD-LTE network products and solutions.