Alcatel-Lucent and Qualcomm Technologies Inc. plan to develop small cell base stations that enhance 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi networks to improve wireless connectivity in residential and enterprise environments. These next-gen small cells would combine Alcatel-Lucent's expertise in developing small cell solutions with Qualcomm's mobile and networking technologies to enable "ultra-broadband" wireless communications.
"Small cells greatly increase capacity by bringing the network closer to the user, thus enabling operators to serve the anticipated 1000x growth in mobile data traffic and dramatically improving the experience for wireless subscribers," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, chair and CEO of Qualcomm Inc. (photo)
With the growing popularity of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices using high-bandwidth video and gaming applications, wireless network operators and service providers are looking to small cells to cost-effectively meet the rapidly expanding demand for mobile data capacity and network coverage, says Alcatel-Lucent. By working together, the partners intend to accelerate the adoption of small cells and alleviate the impact of mobile data on wireless networks.
The two companies plan to jointly invest in an R&D program to develop the next-generation of Alcatel-Lucent lightRadio small cell products featuring Qualcomm Technologies' FSM9900 family of small cell chipsets.
