Nokia Siemens Networks Demonstrates LTE Interoperability on Qualcomm Platform

Long Term Evolution (LTE) is another name for the future ultra-high speed wireless broadband technology. LTE, characterized by faster response times and improved throughput, will greatly improve consumer experience for mobile data applications. It is also capable of reducing latency down to 10-20 ms and peak rates of up to 173/58 Mbps (downlink/uplink).

 

Commercial deployment of LTE is in early stages of development in different parts of the world. Interoperability is one of the critical requirements for the smooth deployment of the technology.

 

Moving a step ahead in the direction of LTE technology, Nokia Siemens Networks, a provider of communications network solutions and services, demonstrated LTE using Qualcomm technology.

 

LTE from Nokia Siemens Networks is 3GPP standard-compliant. It leverages infrastructure equipment from Nokia Siemens Networks and upcoming LTE terminal platform from Qualcomm.

 

The demonstration showcases early end-to-end interoperability between two independently developed solutions showing specification-compliant LTE technology in the works between Nokia Siemens Networks' Flexi Base Station and Qualcomm's technology, the company said.

 

According to Nokia Siemens Networks, the joint integration and testing activities will enable the company to provide faster deployments for its operator customers' commercial LTE launches, with significantly lower interoperability challenges.

 

Operators today are looking beyond the conventional broadband scenarios. With a new focus on innovative broadband connectivity markets, such as consumer electronics, interoperability of the technology becomes a priority.

 

“Interoperability between infrastructure and terminals is key with every technology, and it is particularly fundamental in such a new technology like LTE,” said Matthias Reiss, head of LTE Radio of Nokia Siemens Networks, in a statement. “Closer to commercial deployments, Nokia Siemens Networks will be performing interoperability campaigns with all terminal platforms which will be launched in commercial products.”

 

Nokia Siemens Networks achieved the major milestone on the path towards LTE in October 2008 when it announced the availability of its LTE-compatible Flexi Multimode Base Station hardware. The Flexi Multimode can be upgraded to support LTE with a software upgrade.

 

Qualcomm, a developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies and data solutions, embraced LTE in early 2008 by expanding its device chipset roadmap to include LTE. The new family of three multi-mode Mobile Data Modem (MDM) chipsets delivers significant flexibility to the industry by supporting LTE, as well as other 3GPP and 3GPP2 standards, the company said in an announcement.

 

By associating with platform vendors like Qualcomm, Nokia Siemens Networks will be able to deliver a more stable, high quality end-to-end solution faster, Reiss further said.

The two companies will continue their association with operator trials worldwide. Commercial network deployments are expected in 2010 and beyond.