Small cell agreement includes enterprise, CBRS and multi-operator units
As operators continuously densify their networks, small cell deployments are set for a big year in 2018. Sprint and T-Mobile US, for instance, have made clear plans to deploy thousands of small cells this year. At the same time, changing market dynamics have also put enterprise stakeholders into a position where small cells are an increasingly attractive solution to in-building cellular connectivity.
On the vendor side, there aren’t’ too many standalone small cell providers left anymore. Last year Corning purchased SpiderCloud, for example, which followed CommScope’s purchase of Airvana. ip.access, based in the U.K., is one of those companies focused just on small cells, and has provided equipment to more than 100 operators around the world.
Now, ip.access is potentially expanding its reach through a memorandum of understanding with infrastructure provider Westell, which could sell ip.access products in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America, according to the companies.
The agreement covers the following ip.access small cells:
- An FDD LTE small cell for small-to-medium enterprises that supports up to 32 active users with 150 Mbps;
- A comparable TDD LTE unit that supports deployment in the 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands.
- A ruggedized unit meant for “rural and remote LTE neutral host deployment” with a range of 10 kilometers;
- And a dual-mode 3G/4G device.
“Working with Westell allows us to expand our reach to global enterprises, which are seeking enhanced coverage solutions,” ip.access VP of Sales Americas Andy Smith said. “Our primary aim is to help enterprises all over the world improve the quality of their cellular services.”
For a more detailed look at ip.access’s perspective on the larger small cell market, check out this interview with company Founder and CTO Nick Johnson.
