Small-Cell Access Point Melds 3G, LTE
Small-cell developer ip.access will build its first integrated LTE and 3G small cell – code named E-100 – based on the QorIQ Qonverge platform from U.S. chip maker Freescale.??
The E-100 is a small-cell access point targeting enterprises and public indoor environments. The company says it will be able to provide simultaneous 4G and 3G wireless signals with data speeds as fast as 150 Mbps and 42 Mbps, respectively. Field trials are slated for 1Q13, and ip.access will be showing it off at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona later this month.
Notes ip.access founder and CTO Nick Johnson, “The E-100 allows operators to rapidly add coverage and capacity to their LTE networks exactly where it is needed. At the same time, the integrated 3G capability improves network performance and relieves congestion for the majority of today’s smartphone users. There’s an immediate return on investment for operators even before the mass-market take-up of LTE handsets.”??
The E-100 will be integrated into ip.access’ nanoConverge end-to-end small cell solution architecture, allowing operators to deploy the E-100 alongside the company’s existing 3G and 2G small cells using the same gateways and network management system.?
