Qualcomm Proposes a Cell-Phone Network by the People, for the People2013-05-03 10:24 by DanielaTags: Qualcomm
Mobile chipmaker Qualcomm and some U.S. wireless carriers are exploring an idea that would use small cellular base stations installed in homes to serve passing smartphone users. That approach is believed to be a more efficient way of meeting the rising demand for data and fixing patchy coverage than building more traditional cell-phone towers. Qualcomm essentially wants to turn a femtocell's outdoor signals from a liability into an asset.
Mobile carriers already sell small cellular base stations for personal use, and sometimes hand them out for free to people with a poor signal at home. However, they can only be used by the subscribers that own them, not anyone nearby subscribing to the same cellular network. Qualcom hopes that this would change with the new devices. Shared in-home small cells are only one part of Qualcomm's vision for increasing the capacity of mobile networks. Within about 10 years, networks will need about 1,000 times as much capacity as today's traditional macro cells alone provide, according to Qualcomm. Like mobile operators and the rest of the industry, the company also believes more radio spectrum needs to become available for mobile. For example, Qualcomm advocates mobile users sharing the 3.5GHz band, which might be used for its in-home small cells. Read more -here-
Post your review/comments
rate:
avg:
|