The recently concluded CTIA Super Mobility event managed to include a number of significant news announcements while playing in the shadow of Apple’s annual unveiling of new iPhone devices. CTIA did its best to show its support for Apple, switching to coverage of the devicemaker’s event following the conclusion of CTIA’s Sept. 9 morning keynote session.
Despite the outside distraction, the trade organization and its members garnered attention from keynotes and panel discussions around current LTE-based “4G” network and plans for “5G” technology; a boost of confidence from the government that much-needed new spectrum resources would be forthcoming; and product and service announcements.
Across keynotes, panel sessions and general conversations, 5G seemed to be one of the main talking points at this year’s event. With LTE-based 4G networks now nearly five years into their commercial deployments, it would seem to make sense that the next technology revolution is gaining momentum.
Verizon Wireless, which was one of the domestic market’s earliest drivers of LTE, stated during the event it plans to begin trialling 5G technologies beginning next year, working with a handful of vendor partners on its aggressive program. While a 5G standard is still considered years away, Verizon Wireless said it expects the standard to support 50 times the network throughput of current LTE networks, latency in the single-digit milliseconds and the ability to support increased network demand from a growing number of connected devices and the “Internet of Things.”
An educational panel discussion also touched on the subject, with representatives from the technology departments at AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile US, all noting that while they are eyeing 5G, they are not yet ditching the LTE technology behind current 4G deployments. One speaker noted the expectation that LTE will last through 2020.
Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure also charmed a keynote audience by jokingly admitting that the key to him being named to head up Sprint last year was knowing a multibillionaire, referring to Sprint Chairman Masayoshi Son. Claure also discussed serious questions regarding the carrier’s ongoing network and operational struggles, stating it is his job over the next two years to straighten out both issues.
The CTIA event also witnessed Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler reiterate his confidence that the scheduled 600 MHz incentive auction is indeed set to begin March 29, with Wheeler stating he was “supremely confident” the significantly complex auction process would start on time and that he expects to be discussing the auction results at next year’s CTIA event.
To support the 5G services expected to accompany new spectrum resources, companies at the event talked in depth of the need for fiber backhaul and growing interest in dark fiber. There was talk of using unlicensed spectrum to support licensed cellular services via the controversial LTE-Unlicensed standard.
Despite the robust topics, general show floor activity seemed a bit muted. CTIA did host the event at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas instead of at the much larger Las Vegas Convention Center, though even with the smaller venue the show floor never seemed to “buzz” with activity.
Overall, this year’s CTIA Super Mobility event managed to regain some of the excitement of years past, with conversations on new technology and sound product announcements. Attendance at many of the keynotes and educational panels seemed to back at least the notion that those onsite were interested in what the industry had to say in terms of where the market is heading.
CTIA Super Mobility 2015 video highlights: RCR Wireless News also captured dozens of video interviews and product demonstrations (view playlist) at the event, highlighting the dynamic ecosystem of vendors and suppliers targeting the diverse carrier environment.
