Vodafone, TELMA and Intel Unveil Breakthrough Algorithm to Double 5G Uplink Speeds

Vodafone, TELMA and Intel Unveil Breakthrough Algorithm to Double 5G Uplink Speeds

(IN BRIEF) Vodafone, in collaboration with TELMA and Intel, has developed an innovative equaliser algorithm that significantly boosts 5G uplink speeds and capacity. Addressing the growing need for enhanced upload performance in the era of AI and cloud storage, the algorithm optimizes spatial multiplexing and leverages Massive MIMO technology to allow mobile base stations to serve more users concurrently. Engineers estimate that this breakthrough could double current uplink speeds, with potential for even greater improvements as the network scales. Set to be completed by 2026, the development will be shared with the wider Open RAN community, reinforcing Vodafone’s leadership in next-generation mobile connectivity and chip technology.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERKSHIRE, 5-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Vodafone, in partnership with TELMA (the Telecommunication Research Institute at the University of Málaga) and Intel, has unveiled a novel algorithm designed to significantly enhance 5G uplink speeds and capacity. In an era where AI-driven data growth and the rise of cloud storage demand faster upload capabilities, this breakthrough innovation addresses a longstanding imbalance in mobile networks that have traditionally prioritized download speeds.

The new “equaliser” algorithm optimizes spatial multiplexing techniques to maximize the use of Massive MIMO technology, enabling a single mobile base station to handle more simultaneous users—potentially more than eight per radio unit, surpassing the current market capacity. By accelerating complex mathematical computations essential for processing customer traffic, this solution ensures robust uplink performance without compromising quality. Engineers from Vodafone’s Málaga Innovation Centre, TELMA, and Intel project that uplink speeds could double compared to existing systems, with further scalability promising even greater improvements as additional Massive MIMO antennas are deployed.

This initiative is a key part of Vodafone’s broader strategy to collaborate with academia and industry partners to foster next-generation Open Radio Access Networks (RAN) and develop cost-effective, high-performance mobile connectivity solutions. The technology, expected to be fully developed by 2026, will be shared with the wider Open RAN supplier community, reinforcing Vodafone’s leading position in 5G and chip technology and contributing to a more reliable, sustainable, and user-friendly mobile network experience.

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SOURCE: Vodafone Group