SAN FRANCISCO-LGC Wireless announced its distributed in-building antenna system, LGCell, at Wireless ’97 last week. Using a system of hubs and active antennas connecting an architecture modeled after an ethernet local area network, LGCell distributes cellular and personal communications services signals through a building’s existing cable plant.
The product relays signals to cellular and PCS networks via roof antennas or mini base stations. The company said LGCell extends coverage into buildings and facilitates frequency reuse, providing service providers more efficiency and therefore the ability to sell more airtime. LGCell is offered in a plug-n-play design requiring minimal engineering support.
“The next big market for cellular and PCS carriers will be to reach mobile phone users where they work,” said David Hytha, president and chief executive officer of LGC.
The company said providing cellular and PCS services inside buildings is one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry and that the call that is missed due to poor in-building call quality is one of the greatest problems for business users.
