O2 and Nokia partner up on 5G-focused Massive MIMO trial in London

Mobile network operator O2 is carrying out an investigative trial involving Massive MIMO technology in Kings Cross and Marble Arch, London to ascertain how best to ready its network for an uptick in 5G-induced data usage.

It will also be supported by the additional 2.3GHz of spectrum O2 acquired earlier this year during Ofcom's 5G spectrum auction with Nokia providing the MIMO component of the trial.

Massive MIMO technology is commonly used in wireless communications to help boost network capacity and performance by allowing multiple beams of data to be transferred between antennas to devices.

In the context of 5G, the technology is also being hailed as a means of helping telecommunications providers ready their networks for the increase in data volumes its roll-out is expected to bring.