Alcatel-Lucent Teams with Qualcomm on Wireless Broadband

With the growth of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices using high-bandwidth video and gaming applications, companies are looking to small cells to cost-effectively meet the expanding demand for mobile data capacity and network coverage. Alcatel-Lucent and Qualcomm are working together to develop small cell base stations to help service providers like cable MSOs boost wireless connectivity on their WiFi networks.

The companies plan to jointly invest in a strategic R&D program to develop the next generation of Alcatel-Lucent lightRadio Small Cell products featuring Qualcomm’ FSM9900 family of Small Cell chipsets. The investment would be shared by the companies. “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, chairman and CEO of Qualcomm.

Michel Combes, CEO, Alcatel-Lucent, said: “This initiative perfectly illustrates The Shift Plan we announced last month, which will see Alcatel-Lucent focus on growth technologies, including those facilitating ultra-broadband access. We also said we would actively seek collaboration with key industry players.  In working together with Qualcomm Technologies – a world leader in advanced wireless platform solutions such as its small cell chipsets – Alcatel-Lucent will continue to be positioned at the forefront of innovation in the small cells market.”