Tuesday, May 21, 2013

CTIA: Verizon Wireless Confirms Small Cell Rollout for 2H 2013 with Ericsson

Verizon Wireless will begin rollout of small cells in its LTE network in the second half of 2013.  The small cells will be installed strategically to add capacity to high traffic areas and extend coverage to hard-to-reach locations and indoor sites.

Ericsson will be providing its micro RRUS (Remote Radio Unit) small cells for Verizon's 4G LTE network. The micro RRUS works with any baseband unit part of the RBS 6000 product line. The introduction of Ericsson's micro RRUS is an industry first deployment.

Ericsson also confirmed that it will also provide its micro RBS 6501 (Radio Base Station) for the Verizon network beginning later this year.  Another industry first, the Ericsson micro RBS 6501 is a multi-standard base station supporting 3GPP 37.104 and provides local-area and medium-range coverage in a heterogeneous network environment. The micro RBS delivers high-capacity coverage in a small form factor.


"Small cells will play a role in the Verizon Wireless strategy to add capacity in high-traffic locations and provide the best customer experience possible on the nation's largest 4G LTE network," said Mike Haberman, Verizon Wireless Vice President-Network Support.



Verizon Wireless also announced LTE activation in 6 new markets, bring the total number of market with LTE coverage to 497.  The carrier said its LTE footprint now covers 95% of its 3G network.