Vodafone Idea's 4G networks will now run on 5G technology and Huawei's AI

• Huawei is using artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise Vodafone Idea's 4G network.
  
• Huawei's solution uses of Vodafone Idea's 5G-ready Massive MIMO technology to leverage 4G connectivity.
  
• The AI solution allows the 4G network to have greater capacity and be more efficient.
  

The India Mobile Congress 2019 (IMC) is largely focused on 5G connectivity and its use cases. But on the sidelines — as telecommunication companies await the 5G spectrum auction — vendors are helping them improve the existing 4G network.

Huawei, the Chinese tech giant, is helping Vodafone Idea optimise its 4G network using artificial intelligence (AI). But, it's doing it on 5G technology.

Vodafone Idea's Massive MIMO technology is 5G ready and is the third largest deployment in the world so far.

The company claims that this is the first time that an AI-based solution has been used to optimise multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) technology — an essential element of standard 4G networks.

"The deployment solution will enable Vodafone Idea to enhance their pre-5G Massive MIMO network," stated Jay Chen, CEO of Huawei India.

What is MIMO?

MIMO multiplies the capacity of a radio link by letting antennas receive signals from multiple pathways. By using AI, Huawei can increase the capacity of Vodafone Idea's 4G network by making it more efficient.

"Adding AI capabilities to India's largest deployment of Massive MIMO for enhancing user experience is a further testament of our commitment to create a future-proof network for the digital era," stated Vishant Vora, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Vodafone Idea.

Huawei's random forest algorithm collects and analyses the data to model and predict how the 4G network can be optimised.

Since Massive MIMO is meant for 5G, it's able to use the 5G technology to leverage 4G connectivity.

Huawei's fate in India is uncertain with the Department of Telecommunication asserting that the company's participation in IMC 2019 doesn't mean that it will be allowed in the 5G trials.

But Huawei is pushing forward with demos of use cases of its 5G technology, which include 5G airports, smart city management, and AI powered surveillance, at the event.

See also:
5G airports, AI-powered safe cities and many more that Huawei has on offer at the India Mobile Congress 2019

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