AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - February 12, 2016) - As mobile operators have deployed more LTE over the past few years, the demand for high speed mobile data has also increased, especially due to mobile video streaming. One way to supply that demand is for mobile operators to acquire more licensed spectrum. However, licensed spectrum is expensive and rare.
Wi-Fi is a common technology used in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz unlicensed bands, and many vendors and service providers rely on Wi-Fi in the unlicensed bands for business purposes and to simply provide free Internet services to its patrons. To date, mobile operators have largely failed to make effective use of the large swathes of unlicensed spectrum that is in constant use everyday. However, this may soon change, as several organizations in the industry are planning for the deployment of LTE in this unlicensed spectrum.
iGR, a market research consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile industry, has released a new market study that discusses the various types of Unlicensed LTE technology which allow LTE to be used in the unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum band. It also discusses the current controversy surrounding LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U), License Assisted Access LTE (LAA-LTE), the forthcoming 3GPP Rel-13 standard, and LTE Wi-Fi Aggregation (LWA), which is also being considered for standardization by the 3GPP.
"Many in the Wi-Fi community claim that LTE-U does not share spectrum fairly," said Iain Gillott, president and founder of iGR. "Therefore, we expect much more discussion and testing before the deployment of any version of this new technology. But, the reality is that the largest operators are looking for ways to use unlicensed spectrum effectively for LTE, and there are significant market drivers to making this happen."
iGR's new market study, Unlicensed LTE: Can't we all just get along? discusses the various types of Unlicensed LTE technology which allow LTE to be used in the unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum band. It also discusses the current controversy surrounding the technologies and standards, and the players involved in those controversies. Finally, the market study provides a five-year forecast for the number of smartphones sales that will likely support Unlicensed LTE technology.
The following key questions are addressed in the new research study:
- What is Unlicensed LTE?
- What is the 5 GHz band and why is it important?
- What is LTE-U?
- What is LAA-LTE?
- What is Listen Before Talk?
- How are LTE-U and LAA-LTE different? Why is it meaningful?
- What is LWA? How is it different? Why is it meaningful?
- What is required to deploy LTE-U, LAA-LTE and LWA?
- When will any Unlicensed LTE technology be deployed?
- What is the potential adoption by consumers?
The information in this market study will be valuable for:
- Mobile operators, particularly those servicing the U.S. market
- Mobile backhaul providers, including telcos and cable MSOs
- Wired and wireless backhaul vendors and solution providers
- Mobile OEMs, particularly those servicing the U.S. market
- Wired and wireless infrastructure vendors, particularly those servicing the U.S. market
- Financial analysts and investors.
The new report can be purchased and downloaded directly from iGR's website at www.iGR-inc.com.
About iGR
iGR is a market strategy consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile communications industry. Founded by Iain Gillott, one of the wireless industry's leading analysts, in late 2000 as iGillottResearch, iGR is now in its sixteenth year of operation. iGR continuously researches emerging and existent technologies, technology industries, and consumer markets. We use our detailed research to offer a range of services to help companies improve their position in the marketplace, clearly define their future direction, and ultimately improve their bottom line.
iGR researches a range of wireless and mobile products and technologies, including: smartphones; tablets; mobile wearable devices; connected cars; mobile applications; bandwidth demand and use; small cell and het-net architectures; mobile EPC and RAN virtualization; DAS; LTE; VoLTE; IMS; NFC; GSM/GPRS/UMTS/HSPA; CDMA 1x/EV-DO; iDEN; SIP; macro-, pico- and femtocells; mobile backhaul; WiFi and WiFi offload; and SIM and UICC.
A more complete profile of the company can be found at www.igr-inc.com.
Contact Information:
Contact iGR
Iain Gillott