Nokia Solutions and Networks kicked off Mobile World Congress with the introduction of new small cell solutions in its Flexi Zone line. Its newest small cell models support TDD-LTE and support for additional frequency bands, as well as Wi-Fi. NSN said that its new pico base station is the “only indoor small cell with the same capacity and running the same software as a macro base station” while offering easier indoor connection options and higher capacity than a DAS.
NSN also announced a new controller application that allows existing base stations to run large clusters of small cells, including a mix of indoor and outdoor small cells.
—Verizon Wireless has announced the deployment of small cells in its network from Alcatel-Lucent.
— In a blog post, AT&T’s John Donovan detailed its first large-scale deployment of indoor and outdoor distributed antenna systems, repeaters and small cells at the same site. The Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts now have more than 350 small cells, 25 DAS installations and 40 repeaters between them, after naming AT&T its official wireless sponsor last year.
Donovan, who is senior executive VP of AT&T’s technology and network and operations, said that in both locations, “the areas with small cells have experienced a more than 10x increase in mobile voice and data traffic on our network” and that the company’s DAS “has consistently received high marks for network voice and data reliability.” The small cells, he noted, are primarily located in areas with coverage challenges for cellular, such as offices, administrative areas and the tunnels that cast members use.
Donovan said that AT&T has also put in place specialty network solutions at Disney hotels in Hawaii, California, Florida and Hilton Head, S.C. Overall, AT&T has committed to deploying more than 40,000 small cells by the end of 2015.
–Todd Mersch, director product line management for software and solutions at Radisys, talks small cells at MWC in a blog post. He said that Radisys “will be announcing LTE-TDD small cell wins this month, and we expect to see 2014 as a big year for TDD with major deployments expected around the world.”
–Ixia has a new guide offering insight to network operators who want to deploy small cells.
–Can’t get enough small cells? RCR’s Martha DeGrasse examines the next steps for the technology.
—PCTel has launched new antenna models for in-building LTE and Wi-Fi.
–South African Internet service provider MWEB has chosen Ruckus Wireless for a new nationwide Wi-Fi network for the public and managed services for enterprise. MWEB has deployed 5,000 Ruckus access points and plans to deploy more than 15,000 additional APs in the next 12 to 18 months.
—Transit Wireless is starting the second phase of its project with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity in the New York City subway system. The company said that phase two will roll out progressively, starting with 11 mid-town Manhattan stations including Grand Central Terminal. Construction for the entire borough of Queens is expected to begin in March, and the phase two build-out is slated to be done by June. The work will provide improved cellular service for customers of the four national carriers, plus Wi-Fi.
The transit project is a finalist in the GSMA’s Global Mobile Awards in the Smart Cities category for mobile innovations.
–An new report ranks the top 100 hotels and top 10 hotel chains in terms of their Wi-Fi service. The Emblem Hotel in Prague in the Czech Republic captured the top rank, with the TradeWinds Island Grand in St. Pete Beach, Fl. and the DoubleTreet by Hilton in Chicago, Ill. took the second and third spots, respectively.
