Advertisement
U.S. markets open in 3 hours 6 minutes
  • S&P Futures

    5,206.00
    -8.75 (-0.17%)
     
  • Dow Futures

    39,189.00
    -34.00 (-0.09%)
     
  • Nasdaq Futures

    18,189.50
    -42.00 (-0.23%)
     
  • Russell 2000 Futures

    2,045.60
    -4.20 (-0.20%)
     
  • Crude Oil

    82.56
    -0.16 (-0.19%)
     
  • Gold

    2,158.60
    -5.70 (-0.26%)
     
  • Silver

    25.15
    -0.12 (-0.47%)
     
  • EUR/USD

    1.0846
    -0.0031 (-0.28%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.3400
    0.0000 (0.00%)
     
  • Vix

    14.61
    +0.28 (+1.95%)
     
  • GBP/USD

    1.2678
    -0.0051 (-0.40%)
     
  • USD/JPY

    150.5150
    +1.4170 (+0.95%)
     
  • Bitcoin USD

    63,102.22
    -4,709.79 (-6.95%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • FTSE 100

    7,722.19
    -0.36 (-0.00%)
     
  • Nikkei 225

    40,003.60
    +263.20 (+0.66%)
     

T-Mobile, Nokia to Step Up Deployment of LTE-U Small Cells - Analyst Blog

T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS) has joined with Nokia Corporation (NOK) to accelerate the deployment of small cell units that operate in the unlicensed radio bands. The companies are jointly developing a pre-standards LTE-U (LTE unlicensed) small-cell solution for additional LTE capacity, improved network performance and superior customer experience.

LTE-U, which is also known as LAA or licensed assisted access, refers to the use of LTE in 5GHz unlicensed spectrum bands. It makes use of a mix of licensed LTE spectrum and the 5GHz frequency band, which is mainly used for Wi-Fi service at present. By using carrier aggregation between LTE in licensed and unlicensed spectrum, operators can considerably augment connectivity indoors and through hotspots.

Notably, small cells are tiny radio base stations that can aid in strengthening voice coverage and data speeds accessible on busy 4G networks. T-Mobile intends to augment its small cell deployment of Nokia Flexi Zone with LAA functionality.

The solution will allow the wireless carrier to be an early adopter of this pioneering technology and boost up the capacity of its LTE network. T-Mobile expects to begin deployment of small cells using LTE-U indoors in 2016, followed by outdoor deployments.  

Interestingly, the deployment of LTE in unlicensed spectrum is intended to complement licensed spectrum deployments and is of particular significance to T-Mobile. The carrier sees it as a way to enlarge its LTE coverage and catch up with rivals AT&T (T) and Verizon Communications (VZ) in terms of 4G footprint.

As of now, LAA is considered for 3GPP industry standardization by the middle of next year. Also, Nokia is preparing to incorporate LAA capabilities in its Flexi Zone small cell portfolio at the end of 2015.

Further, at the upcoming Mobile World Congress, Nokia will hold a demonstration of the capabilities of LAA using its Nokia Flexi Zone small cells technology, already deployed in T-Mobile’s LTE network. The demonstration will comprise carrier aggregation between LTE in licensed and unlicensed spectrum and the technology’s conformity with Wi-Fi.

Notably, Nokia is one of the leaders in small cell technology and this partnership with T-Mobile – the fourth largest national telecom carrier in the U.S. – may further leverage its comprehensive portfolio of small cells products.

Moreover, T-Mobile is also testing LTE-U small cells with Nokia’s rival Ericsson (ERIC).


Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
 
NOKIA CP-ADR A (NOK): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
T-MOBILE US INC (TMUS): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
AT&T INC (T): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
ERICSSON LM ADR (ERIC): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
VERIZON COMM (VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research

Advertisement