TMC recently had the opportunity to speak with AirWalk Communications, Inc., provider of small cell radio access networks and innovative small cell solutions.
Serge Pequeux, president and CEO of AirWalk Communications exclusively told TMC that small cell solutions is actually the umbrella term that analysts often use to refer to femtocell offerings. The company offers a broad portfolio of small cell solutions such as femtocells, enterprise femtocells, picocells and microcells which complement the existing macro network by enabling operators to extend coverage and capacity in high-density areas.
According to the company, the surge in high-speed data usage for mobile videos and applications has caused network congestion and an unbalanced distribution of data traffic on the macro network. Small cells offer a solution to these critical services and enable enhanced user connectivity at any location. Small cells developed by AirWalk accommodate data off-load from the macro network in high traffic areas where users congregate, providing in-building connectivity and coverage expansion.
As operators deploy 4G and LTE networks, small cells play a vital role in delivering seamless coverage and capacity, and AirWalk’s unique flat IP architecture is the preferred solution for small cell deployments.
Pequeux explained femtocells as the largest technology used most frequently in the U.S. by large carriers like Verizon, AT&T and Sprint. When femtocells became popular in Europe, operators in the U.S. became interested in providing smaller femto units to supply better service to enterprises and residential areas in need of better coverage.
Small cells are essential in 3G/4G networks, but become even more crucial in LTE networks due to the unique wide-band nature of LTE and the throughput decline that is common at the edge of networks.
AirWalk provides small cell solutions to both enterprises and residential areas and with cable companies becoming more and more interested in femtocells, they are clearly the next line of attack for AirWalk according to Pequeux.
Last month, AirWalk showcased its broad portfolio of small cell solutions at CTIA Wireless International in Orlando, FL. The extensive product line consists of CDMA residential femtocells, enterprise femtocells and picocells as well as an LTE small cell product.
With the constant advancements of 4G and LTE technology, companies like AirWalk are up against a number of challenges every day. Pequeux notes the time to market as being one of the biggest challenges for AirWalk. He added that once the femtocell is deployed in an enterprise, for example, keeping up with the feature sets and operator requirements is where it starts to get complicated. Roll outs of call networks for operators that used to be in the tens of thousands are now up to millions of base stations, according to Pequeux, an influx that speaks for itself.
Stay tuned for more news from AirWalk Communications Inc. this year as Pequeux anticipates announcements of new products with top tier operators worldwide in the short term.
Stefanie Mosca is a Web editor for MobilityTechzone. Previously she worked as a freelance copy editor for Digital Surgeons LLC. She holds a master's degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University and a bachelor's degree in communication from the University of New Haven. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Jennifer Russell
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