Qualcomm is staking out an early lead in 802.11ad territory for Wi-Fi in the 60 GHz band, and early testing shows the technology can deliver on its promise for more speed as part of a multiprotocol Wi-Fi solution that makes up for some of...
One of the biggest challenges the mobile industry faces is how to accommodate the extraordinary increases in data volume and performance expectations over the next couple of decades. It’s clear that no single aspect of the technology needs to be reimagined in order for...
Representatives from CommScope and Kathrein note 5G is still in early days, though industry is prepping for new technology models.
DALLAS – With the first official “5G” standards still not expected until the end of next year, the topic of how the wireless...
Streamline troubleshooting to maximize RF investments and cut opex
RF interference, whether it’s PIM, electrical or out-of-band emissions, wreaks havoc on mobile networks. Interference hunting and troubleshooting take up valuable and costly man hours while generating dropped calls and poor data throughput, which can translate...
As CPRI and OBSAI gain traction, stay competitive while cutting costs
To keep up with data-hungry customers, carriers are working to add capacity and flexibility to their networks. This trend has resulted in a movement to centralized Radio Access Network, which separates the radio into...
Small cell and DAS deployments require careful planning and coordination of a number of different processes. Zoning, permitting, lease agreements, backhaul, power, and "negative assets" all need to be evaluated when a site is chosen. A new site's planned performance needs to be projected...
3M, formerly Capital Safety, has released yet another safety recall for tower climbers. The recall forced the National Association of Tower Erectors to send emails to its members encouraging them to consult the official recall notice. The subject of the recall, Zorbit Energy Absorber, is...
Telefónica planned to raise up to $1.68 billion with the IPO
Spanish telecommunications giant Telefónica has abandoned plans to launch an initial public offering of its infrastructure unit Telxius.
"Telefónica and the joint global coordinators have decided to abandon the offering, considering inadequate the valuation of the...
Learn how to pinpoint uplink interference while reducing tower climbs and saving money
Interference can make or break a cell site commissioning. From the macro tower layer to indoor small cell deployments, interference costs time and money while creating the potential for customer churn based...
3M today posted an official recall notice of its original tower climber Lad-Saf sleeve. After 30 years of use, the popular fall protection equipment has been replaced by a redesigned "next-generation" Lad-Saf sleeve.
According to the recall, 3M and its fall protection subsidiary Capital Safety...
Simplifying tower test and measurement saves time and money while driving safety and industry competitiveness
From installation and commissioning to ongoing maintenance activities, cell towers require a great deal of capital and operational expense. Coupled with the incredibly competitive service provider landscape, cost pressures create...
AT&T, SBAC, EXFO and Kathrein share perspective
Modifications to cell towers and cell tower equipment are known as tower amendments. Although new tower builds have declined somewhat in recent years, tower amendment activity continues to be robust.
“There’s a tremendous amount of touches … on the...
Westek’s focus on technicians and quality helps streamline operations and reduce costs
Driven by the move from LTE to 5G, macro builds, metro fiber deployments and in-building wireless solutions are ushering an evolution in the telecom industry. Underpinning this increasingly complicated network environment are the...
AT&T said its recent trials of drones as surrogate tower climbers have been highly successful, and that it plans to be using drones in its tower operations by the end of September.
"Every time we use a drone it's just one less tower climb. Every...
This webinar presents an overview of tower technology and tower investment trends, followed by a discussion of drone usage on cell towers and fiber testing. Three of the four major carriers now have processes in place to enable drones to inspect their tower top...
As service providers continue to grow their RF network footprints, they are under tremendous pressure to reduce deployment time to meet constant network demands and reduce OpEx. Fiber to the antenna (FTTA) sites offer significant coverage and capacity benefits, but at the same time...
Analysts see limited impact, executives say investment continues
With interest rates expected to rise and the next round of carrier network upgrades not expected for more than a year, some might say this is not the best time to invest in the tower sector. Others...
Wireless Infrastructure Association President Jonathan Adelstein is on a mission to develop a competent, consistent wireless workforce that will be ready to perform as the industry gears up for the rollout of "5G." In addition to creating jobs with growth potential, developing a credentialed...
5G coverage and capacity means new infrastructure
With early use cases taking shape as carriers begin trials, RCR Wireless News caught up with IBB Consulting Partner Hillol Roy to get his insight into the likely phased commercialization of "5G" mobile networks.
Roy was on hand in...
Wireless Infrastructure Association President and CEO discusses tower trends and emerging workforce skills gap
DALLAS – As evidenced by a rebranding effort emphasizing the infrastructure layer, Wireless Infrastructure Association President and CEO Jonathan Adelstein, who held the same role at the renamed PCIA, stressed the...
Bouygues is currently negotiating a possible takeover by Orange
French operator Bouygues Telecom is negotiating the sale of certain assets to rival operators Iliad and Numericable-SFR, Fench newspaper Les Echos reports, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
According to the report, Bouygues Telecom needs to...
DT may consider selling certain mobile towers
Germany's Deutsche Telekom is currently evaluating options for some of its European assets, including mobile towers, according to a press report.
Unnamed sources cited by Bloomberg said Deutsche Telekom has hired advisors to help it consider its options, some of...
French telco targets 75% LTE coverage by the end of 2016
French telecom operator Iliad, which operates in the mobile market through its Free subsidiary, ended 2015 with 3.7 million LTE subscribers, posting 2 million net customer additions for the year. Revenue from mobile services...
Looking back, cell tower power used to be treated a lot like the electrical grid: essential, reliable, taken for granted, a tad dull. But today, cell tower power is a different story. It is an exciting source of technical and business innovation running at...
