Verizon Wireless, SK Telecom and T-Mobile US visit labs
Ericsson and Qualcomm are testing carrier-grade LTE-U technology that aggregates licensed and unlicensed spectrum to provide a data-speed boost for small cell.
Representatives from major international carriers Verizon Wireless, SK Telecom and T-Mobile US observed LTE-U, sometimes called LAA-LTE, or license assisted access-LTE, tests at Ericsson labs.
LTE-U accesses licensed and unlicensed spectrum and enables sharing between mobile and Wi-Fi networks; in this case, LTE-U can bolster small cell data to 450 Mbps.
Chipmaker Qualcomm developed the technology with Ericsson; Ericsson plans to add LTE-U functionality to its small cell product line later this year.
Although standards for 5G have not been internationally settled, many watchers have suggested that small cell and other capacity supplements, along with access to higher frequency spectrum, will be key.
“Carrier aggregation was an important technology trend for mobile networks in 2014 and LAA is already set to be a key focus for mobile operators in 2015,” Thomas Norén, VP and head of radio product management for Ericsson said in a statement.
“Innovations like LAA that improve the user experience while increasing spectrum efficiency will be significant milestones that mobile industry leaders must both drive and support,” he said.
Qualcomm VP Neville Meijers said the LAA live tests are the latest effort from the two companies to drive the “interoperability efforts that are critical to commercialization.”
From the carrier perspective, Ed Chan, SVP of network planning for Verizon Wireless, said that the company is “committed to researching and adopting new technologies that will consistently improve the performance of our network and ultimately the experience we deliver to our customers.”
SK Telecom SVP and head of the Network Technology R&D Center Park Jin-hyo alluded to 5G: “SK Telecom is very active in the development of 5G technologies, which will be an extension and evolution of our LTE network. We are delighted to achieve the successful trial of the 450 Mbps LAA and fair-sharing technology with Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies and will continue to work closely with them to secure advanced network technologies.”
