Ericsson Integrates Wi-Fi with Picocell

March 23, 2012

In the wake of its purchase of BelAir Networks, Ericsson has added additional heterogeneous network (hetnet) products: a pico base station that is integrated with Wi-Fi access and an indoor picocell gateway.

“Heterogeneous networks are an attractive means of expanding mobile network capacity. Enhancing and densifying the HSPA/LTE multi-standard macro-cellular network are additional methods of meeting increasing traffic demands and fulfilling users’ high expectations for mobile broadband services,” Ericsson said on its web site.

Ericsson’s new small cell RBS products use both 3GPP-licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum, such as Wi-Fi, both of which can be transported over the same backhaul. Along with the picocell RBS introduction, Ericsson released an indoor picocell gateway, to enable indoor deployments that are fully coordinated with the macro layer.

The RBS pico base stations strengthen Ericsson’s RBS 6000 portfolio, complementing the macro layer of radio base stations. A hetnet solution lowers costs for the small cell layer compared to using a multivendor approach, Ericsson said, because of the benefits of integration, flexible backhaul and less complexity in installation and maintenance.