Signals Research Tested 5G MU-MIMO on Verizon Network
The independent study evaluated performance gains of MU-MIMO technology within FDD spectrum using Ericsson equipment.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Signals Research Group conducted field tests in St. Paul, Minnesota, to measure the effectiveness of 5G MU-MIMO technology on Verizon's network. The testing demonstrated significant uplink throughput improvements using 32T32R Massive MIMO compared to traditional 4T4R MIMO configurations.
Why it matters
Network operators are seeking ways to increase capacity and performance in existing FDD spectrum, which presents unique challenges for channel information compared to TDD. This research highlights how advanced antenna technology could optimize data transmission in limited frequency bands.
The testing utilized 32T32R Massive MIMO configurations on Verizon's 1.9 GHz Band n2 spectrum, significantly outperforming 4T4R baseline setups. The test environment enabled two devices separated by 18 inches to share network resources.
The players
Signals Research Group
This organization specializes in independent technical research and analysis of wireless network performance.
Verizon
Verizon is a major telecommunications provider in the United States that owns and operates wireless network infrastructure.
Ericsson
Ericsson is a multinational networking and telecommunications company that provides infrastructure equipment for 5G networks.
Motorola
Motorola is a global telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics company that manufactures the razr fold smartphone series.
The details
Researchers used stationary and walk-testing with tools from Accuver Americas and Keysight Technologies to analyze performance as devices shared network resources. The study confirmed that MU-MIMO facilitates simultaneous data transmission, though downlink consistency remained less stable than uplink gains.
Timeline
September 2026: Signals Research Group published results of the FDD MU-MIMO testing.
The Tech Race
This research reflects the broader industry push to maximize throughput within existing FDD spectrum, an area currently led by deployment sites in China. It signals a move away from legacy 4T4R systems toward higher-order MIMO that can better serve dense urban environments.
If successfully deployed, this technology could mean faster and more reliable mobile data speeds for users, particularly during periods of high network congestion. Customers may experience better upload performance when sending large files or using bandwidth-intensive applications on their devices.
The takeaway
Advanced antenna configurations like MU-MIMO provide a clear path for operators to squeeze more performance out of existing frequency bands without requiring new spectrum. As networks evolve, this technology remains critical for managing the increasing data demands placed on mobile infrastructure.
Further reading
For more on the current state of infrastructure, explore our coverage on Telecommunications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RCR Wireless News.
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