stc, Huawei install SuperLink solution

Huawei and Saudi Telecom Company (stc) have installed what they claim is ‘the world’s first SuperLink network solution’ in Dammam (Saudi Arabia). The SuperLink solution consists of a multi-frequency antenna and four-in-one carrier aggregation (CA) outdoor unit (ODU); the multi-frequency antenna can cover three large frequency bands (6GHz, 7GHz and 8GHz or 13GHz, 15GHz and 18GHz), while the 4-in-1 CA ODU integrates four channels in one hardware, which can reduce the number of ODUs by 75%, thus supporting higher modulation modes and larger channel bandwidth and increasing the capacity of a single ODU by 400%. Eng. Bader A. Allhieb, vice president of infrastructure at stc Saudi Arabia, said: ‘SuperLink avoids hardware stacking for long-reach large-capacity microwave, which eases the deployment. It provides a higher bandwidth and effectively covers suburban areas with 5G. What’s more, SuperLink can be combined with the long-reach E-band solution that can provide smooth coverage in urban areas to accelerate stc’s 5G deployment.’