Ericsson addresses the problem with Ericsson Networks Software 16A, a new suite of LTE software upgrades targetting the indoor space. With the update, Ericsson is boosting network uplink speeds by up to 200%, downlink speeds by up to 30% and adding LTE Unlicensed (LTE-U), the first commercial step in Licensed Assisted Access – as well as support for greater energy efficiency of small cells.
Mike Sapien, Principal Analyst Enterprise Services, Ovum, says: “While operators have understood that they need to design mobile networks for increasing amounts of data now, Wi-Fi networks have traditionally been the solution of choice for indoor connectivity for enterprise customers. However, Wi-Fi cannot service the need for reliable and mobile voice services or text messaging, much less handle the business-critical applications that require the app coverage, voice services, and full mobility provided by cellular. Now, as we move toward 5G, both cellular and Wi-Fi will need to work together to offer differentiated and seamless service.”
Increases in video and media uploads by businesses and consumers via apps like Instagram and Facebook call for better uplink speeds. Ericsson Networks Software 16A includes two uplink enhancements that will enable mobile operators to utilise 64 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) on uplink to provide 50% better peak speeds of 75 Mbps. In addition, it enables uplink carrier aggregation, which can double uplink data speeds. Combined, these improvements provide peak uplink data rates up to 150 Mbps, which is a 200% improvement.
Further enhancements focused on the indoor space boost download speeds by 30% using 256 QAM encoding. Earlier this year, in a live demonstration with Ericsson, Telstra achieved the world’s first download peak rates of 600 Mbps using this new feature. Devices that support these advances become available this year, in line with commercial availability of the Ericsson Networks Software 16A.
Networks Software 16A also includes LTE-U, to drive higher performance. LTE-U enables operators to combine the reliability of licensed spectrum with indoor data speed boosts provided by unlicensed spectrum.
Arun Bansal, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Unit Radio, Ericsson, says: “To keep pace with mobile broadband demand from both consumers and industry, operators need solutions that deliver both high performance and efficiency. Ericsson’s indoor software innovations deliver both. And, these new features combined with Ericsson’s end-to-end solutions, flexible go-to-market and business models and proactive relationships with key device ecosystem partners, ensure that our leading operators not only keep pace, but set the pace.”
Ericsson Networks Software 16A builds on energy-efficiency capabilities in previous releases and now includes Cell Sleep mode. This feature enables individual carriers to automatically switch off during periods of low traffic demand, ensuring greater energy efficiency of small cells.
To complement operator efforts, Ericsson is expanding its use of channel partners, such as Anixter and working with leading real estate developers and property managers.
For operators which wish to deploy and manage indoor networks themselves, Ericsson offers easy-to-deploy hardware and installation tools. Ericsson Global Services offers a comprehensive range of small cell services, from strategic network analysis through design, integration, optimisation and monitoring, right up to a fully managed Small Cells as a Service (SCaaS) offering. With SCaaS, complete ownership of the hardware and deployment is handled through Ericsson Global Services, allowing for an easy go-to-market model for indoor opportunities.
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