The need to bolster LTE networks could result in more than 14 million radio transceivers being deployed in 2016, with half of those specific to the mobile broadband technology, according to a new report from Mobile Experts.
The firm said that the increase in LTE transceivers is partly due to the complexity of the systems, which require a greater number of units compared with 2G and 3G technologies.
Multiple input/multiple output “architectures are driving two to four transceivers per sector, and active antenna systems will drive even higher numbers of radios,” said Joe Madden, principal analyst at Mobile Experts. “Everything is changing in the base station: power levels are changing, frequency bands are fragmenting, RRH units are growing, and the OEM mix is changing rapidly.”
Madden also noted that despite increased emphasis on small-cell technologies, the macro infrastructure market is expected to remain robust.
“In particular, rising data traffic demand will drive a need for ongoing investment in the macro layer, especially for 3G, TD-LTE, and LTE-FDD systems,” Madden added.
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