Small Cells Loom Large for LTE Rollouts, Heavy Reading Says

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile networks are exploding with many users streaming video simultaneously, putting a huge strain on 4G/LTE, and small cells will create solutions for vendors in the market, according to the latest report from Heavy Reading 4G/LTE Insider, a paid research service of Heavy Reading (www.heavyreading.com).

The New 4G/LTE Radio: Small Cells & New Architectures examines the small cell market, focusing on how small cells and new network architectures will affect 4G/LTE offerings. It analyzes the mobile landscape, explores drivers and threats in the market, and evaluates new solutions available. Finally, the report profiles 11 leading vendors in the 4G/LTE small cell market.

For a list of companies included in this report, http://img.lightreading.com/uni/pdf/4gltei0612_companies.pdf

"Sooner or later mobile networks are doomed to buckle under the load of billions of mobile broadband users all streaming video at the same time," notes Claus Hetting, research analyst with Heavy Reading 4G/LTE Insider and author of the report. "One solution is for operators to build networks that offer a very high network capacity, exceeding 1 Gbit/s per square kilometer, by increasing 4G/LTE base station density through mass deployment of small cells."

Small cells and new architectures are starting to form an indispensable part of the 4G/LTE solution landscape, says Hetting. "While some constitute the natural small cell extension of carrier-grade radio network equipment, other vendors are approaching the small cell market with enterprise and residential femtocell-type equipment more reminiscent of consumer-class CPE," he continues. "As the 4G/LTE small cells market grows, opportunities abound for smaller vendors with creative solutions to the most pressing technological challenges in 4G/LTE small cells."

Key findings of The New 4G/LTE Radio: Small Cells & New Architectures include:

• The explosive demand for mobile broadband is forcing the industry toward high-capacity 4G/LTE networks
• Several new technologies, including OBSAI/CPRI, SoC, new forms of backhaul and especially SON, are key solution ingredients
• New architectures abound, including cloud RAN, sub-compact and modular radio units, baseband pooling, and antenna-integrated radios
• Wi-Fi is the biggest threat to the small cell business case; in response, many vendors are integrating Wi-Fi into their solutions

The New 4G/LTE Radio: Small Cells & New Architectures is available as part of an annual single-user subscription (6 issues per year) to Heavy Reading 4G/LTE Insider, priced at $1,595. Individual reports are available for $900 (single-user license).

To subscribe, or for more information, please visit: www.heavyreading.com/4glte. For more information on all Insider services, please visit www.heavyreading.com/research.

To request a free executive summary of the report, or for details on multi-user licensing options, please contact:

Jeff Claudino
Director of Sales
Insider Research Services
619-229-9940
claudino@lightreading.com

Press/analyst contact:
Jennifer Baker
Marketing Director, Light Reading Communications Network
617-871-1910
jbaker@lightreading.com

About Heavy Reading (www.heavyreading.com)
Heavy Reading is an independent research organization offering deep analysis of emerging telecom trends to network operators, technology suppliers, and investors. Its product portfolio includes in-depth reports that address critical next-generation technology and service issues, market trackers that focus on the telecom industry's most critical technology sectors, exclusive worldwide surveys of network operator decision-makers that identify future purchasing and deployment plans, and a rich array of custom and consulting services that give clients the market intelligence needed to compete successfully in the $4 trillion global telecom industry. As a telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network (www.lrcn.com), Heavy Reading contributes to the only integrated business information platform serving the global communications industry.

About Light Reading Communications Network (www.lrcn.com)
The Light Reading Communications Network combines the most trusted telecom research brands with award-winning online communities and a rich events portfolio to deliver the only integrated business information platform serving the global communications industry.   With the power of this platform, leaders who build, deploy, finance, and regulate next-generation telecom networks are able to make more informed decisions on emerging market and service opportunities.  Light Reading Communications Network is a division of UBM TechWeb (www.ubmtechweb.com), the global leader in technology media and business information. 

SOURCE Heavy Reading