Small cells were big news at CTIA Wireless in New Orleans this week. Here’s our round-up of the news and insights from the show.
John Donovan, executive vice president for technology and network operations at AT&T, told Reuters that if tests go well the operator could use the equipment to improve in-building or outdoor coverage by attaching the small cells to places like the side of lamp posts.
The idea is that placing such devices between the company’s much bigger broadcast towers would make better use of its wireless airwaves and improve capacity. “Later this year and into next year we’ll be piloting it.” Donovan told Reuters on the sidelines of a technology panel at the CTIA annual wireless conference.
“It’s another tool in the tool kit,” he added, saying that the company is in need of more network capacity to support increasing demand for data services by consumers using devices such as smartphones and tablet computers.
Full article from Reuters: AT&T plans small cell tests around year end.
