Upgrading from Huawei UBBPe boards to the g-series (UBBPg) is mainly about 5G NR, not about more LTE capacity. Huawei does not list any UBBPe board for NR, while the UBBPg2 adds NR FDD, the UBBPg2a adds NR TDD and eCPRI, and the UBBPg3 is listed for both NR FDD and NR TDD. On the LTE side, a UBBPg2 has the same published LTE FDD throughput as a UBBPe6, so swapping a UBBPe6 for a UBBPg2 on an LTE-only site gains little. Swapping a UBBPe4 is different: the g-series doubles its LTE cell count. This guide explains when the move makes sense, which g-series board to pick, and what to check in the BBU before you order.
Why operators move from UBBPe to UBBPg
A UBBP (Universal Baseband Processing) board sits in a baseband slot of a Huawei BBU, processes uplink and downlink baseband signals and connects to RRUs or AAUs over optical fronthaul. The e-series (UBBPe1 to UBBPe6) was built for the 4G era: Huawei lists the UBBPe4 and UBBPe6 for UMTS, LTE FDD, LTE TDD and NB-IoT. The g-series is the generation that brings NR into the same board slot, so it is the natural step when a site that already runs a BBU3910 or BBU5900 has to add 5G.
Typical reasons for the upgrade are:
- Adding NR FDD on existing sub-3 GHz spectrum, for example on refarmed 1800 or 2100 MHz.
- Adding NR TDD with 32T32R or 64T64R AAUs, which needs an NR TDD-capable board and often eCPRI fronthaul.
- Consolidating two UBBPe4 boards into one higher-capacity board to free a baseband slot.
UBBPe vs UBBPg: what changes and what does not
The table below compares the boards most often involved in this upgrade. Figures come from Huawei’s BBU technical specifications and 5900 Series product descriptions; supported RATs and capacity always depend on the software release and licences on site.
| Board | RATs listed by Huawei | LTE FDD cells (2T2R/4T4R) | LTE FDD throughput DL/UL | Fronthaul |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UBBPe4 | UMTS, LTE FDD, LTE TDD, NB-IoT | 6 | 1200 / 600 Mbit/s | CPRI |
| UBBPe6 | UMTS, LTE FDD, LTE TDD, NB-IoT | 12 | 2400 / 1200 Mbit/s | CPRI |
| UBBPg1 | UMTS, LTE FDD, NB-IoT | Check release | Check release | CPRI |
| UBBPg2 | UMTS, LTE FDD, LTE TDD, NB-IoT, NR FDD | 12 | 2400 / 1200 Mbit/s | CPRI |
| UBBPg2a | UMTS, LTE FDD, LTE TDD, NB-IoT, NR FDD, NR TDD | 12 | 2400 / 1200 Mbit/s | CPRI / eCPRI |
| UBBPg3 | UMTS, LTE FDD, NB-IoT, NR FDD, NR TDD | Check release | Check release | Check release |
Two points stand out. First, NR support starts with the g-series, and not every g-series board has it: the UBBPg1 is listed only for UMTS, LTE FDD and NB-IoT. Second, the LTE figures for the UBBPg2 and UBBPg2a match the UBBPe6, so the g-series is not an LTE capacity upgrade over a UBBPe6. Where a figure is not published in a source we could verify, the table says “check release” rather than guessing.
Three common upgrade paths
UBBPe4 to UBBPg2: more LTE plus NR FDD
This is the upgrade with the clearest gain. The UBBPg2 supports twelve LTE FDD cells at 2T2R or 4T4R against six on the UBBPe4, doubles LTE throughput, and adds NR FDD. For a three-sector site that is running out of LTE carriers and plans NR on sub-3 GHz spectrum, one UBBPg2 can replace a UBBPe4 and leave room to grow.
UBBPe6 to UBBPg2: only worth it for NR FDD
A UBBPe6 and a UBBPg2 share the same published LTE FDD cell count and throughput. If the site stays on LTE and UMTS, keep the UBBPe6 or replace it like for like. The case for the UBBPg2 is NR FDD, for example dynamic spectrum sharing or a dedicated NR FDD carrier, which the UBBPe6 is not listed for.
UBBPe to UBBPg2a or UBBPg3: adding NR TDD
For 3.5 GHz-type NR TDD deployments with massive MIMO AAUs, neither the UBBPe boards nor the plain UBBPg2 are the right choice. The UBBPg2a is listed for NR TDD cells up to 100 MHz, including three-cell 32T32R and 64T64R configurations, and supports eCPRI. The UBBPg3 is also listed for both NR FDD and NR TDD. Which one you choose usually depends on the boards already in your network, the radios on site and the software release you run. Our UBBPg2 vs UBBPg2a comparison covers the difference between those two boards in detail.
What else has to change in the BBU
Replacing the baseband board alone rarely completes an NR upgrade. Check the rest of the chassis before ordering:
- Chassis: Huawei’s SRAN18.1 board specifications list the UBBPg2 and UBBPg2a for the BBU3910, BBU5900 and BBU5900A. If your sites still run BBU3900 chassis, confirm g-series support for your release before planning a board-only upgrade; a chassis change to the BBU5900 may be the cleaner path.
- Main control board: the UMPT must support the RAT mix you plan. Older UMPTb boards are listed for GSM, UMTS and LTE only; NR needs a UMPTe or UMPTg generation board that supports it in your release. Huawei’s typical NR BBU5900 configuration uses UMPTg boards.
- Software: each board variant is recognised from a specific base station version onward. A board newer than the site load will not come into service.
- Licences: capacity and NR features are licensed per base station, not stored on the board. A new board does not bring licences with it.
- Radios and optics: NR FDD needs RRUs that support NR on the band; NR TDD needs AAUs and SFPs at the right CPRI or eCPRI rate.
- Power and cooling: several high-capacity boards raise heat load, so check the fan and power modules for the chassis generation.
For slot rules and board combinations in the BBU5900, see our Huawei BBU5900 board compatibility guide.
Upgrade decision summary
| Site situation | Suggested move |
|---|---|
| LTE/UMTS only, UBBPe6 installed, no 5G plans | Keep UBBPe6 or replace like for like |
| LTE/UMTS only, UBBPe4 out of cell capacity | UBBPe6 or UBBPg2 |
| Adding NR FDD on sub-3 GHz spectrum | UBBPg2 (or UBBPg2a / UBBPg3) |
| Adding NR TDD massive MIMO AAUs | UBBPg2a or UBBPg3 |
| Radios using eCPRI fronthaul | UBBPg2a |
FAQ
Can a UBBPe6 run 5G NR?
No. Huawei lists the UBBPe4 and UBBPe6 for UMTS, LTE FDD, LTE TDD and NB-IoT only. NR needs a g-series board such as the UBBPg2, UBBPg2a or UBBPg3.
Do all UBBPg boards support NR?
No. Huawei’s 5900 Series product description lists the UBBPg1 for UMTS, LTE FDD and NB-IoT without NR. Check the RAT list of the exact board variant before you buy.
Will a UBBPg2 give more LTE capacity than a UBBPe6?
Not according to the published figures. Both are listed with twelve LTE FDD cells at 2T2R or 4T4R and 2400/1200 Mbit/s LTE throughput. Against a UBBPe4, however, the UBBPg2 doubles both.
Can UBBPe and UBBPg boards work in the same BBU?
Mixed configurations are common in BBU3910 and BBU5900 chassis, provided slot rules, power budget and software support are respected. Capacity is planned per board, and the UMPT must support every RAT in the chassis.
Source tested Huawei UBBP boards
We supply used and refurbished Huawei baseband boards, including the UBBPe6, UBBPg2, UBBPg2a and UBBPg3, along with UMPT boards, BBU chassis and RRUs in our Huawei product range. Every unit is functionally tested before shipment, radio units such as RRUs are also VSWR tested, and all units carry a 90-day warranty. We ship worldwide in secure packaging. Send us the board name, BOM code and quantity via WhatsApp +86 187 3329 4669 / +86 139 3088 8705, email jack@telecombts.com, or the form at https://telecombts.com/contact-us/.
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