The Always Evolving Wireless Network Industry

CommScope recently hosted a Twitter chat about LTE network implementation. Six CommScope wireless experts answered questions about LTE best practices and the evolution of networks. See today’s blog post by Bill Walter for a summary of the Twitter chat and a link to the #COMMtweets.

Tweet-Jam-question-1Like most consumers, I sometimes take my mobile device and network connection for granted. I expect them to work the way I want, whenever I want, and with enough speed to make it enjoyable. Whether it’s to make a call, send a text, check the news and email or use a mobile app, I just want my smartphone to work the way it’s supposed to, and not make me feel as though I am wasting my money on the service.

It’s easy for me to forget that there are people out there who are tasked with delivering me the wireless experience I desire and pay for. There are network engineers, planners and other wireless experts who design cellular networks. There are installers and integrators who physically put the cell sites together. And there are numerous business people involved in running and supporting all the companies involved.

It’s also easy to forget that the wireless industry is always evolving. Networks deliver new services and devices and then have to respond to how people are using them. Decisions have to be made about what technologies to use, what equipment to deploy and who should do it. The wireless infrastructure industry is far from static — it is always moving in new directions.

That is why CommScope’s recent Twitter chat about #LTE implementation was so interesting. It is a good reminder that industry insiders are still trying to hash out the details of wireless network evolution. For those of you who missed it, click the link to review everything tweeted under the #COMMtweets hashtag. Some of the questions our six CommScope panel experts addressed include:

  • How large a role will small cells play in achieving the HetNet (Heterogeneous Network) experience?
  • How can antenna designs accommodate the ever-growing number of frequency bands and technologies on networks?
  • What are the requirements and best practices for the indoor wireless space including distributed antenna systems (DAS)?
  • How will LTE-Unlicensed and Wi-Fi play out in the future?
  • How can we make it easier to install wireless networks properly?

One topic that brought wide consensus was the fact that noise and interference must be limited or reduced for LTE networks to function well. One analyst believes that more than half of wireless research and development is about limiting noise or interference in some way.

If you want to learn more about LTE Best Practices, download our free ebook. It can be downloaded as an app and links to many other resources such as white papers and videos. Each chapter includes real-world advice for equipment selection, environmental practices and network installation.

What are your thoughts about these LTE network topics? How is the wireless industry evolving for you?