SUNNYVALE – February 18, 2016 – Six wireless industry leaders today announced their shared commitment to develop, market and promote solutions utilizing the U.S. 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). The six companies—Federated Wireless, Google, Intel, Nokia, Qualcomm Incorporated and Ruckus Wireless—believe that CBRS will be critical to drive innovation, support new business models and spur economic growth.
Last April, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules for CBRS, which opens 150 MHz of spectrum (3550-3700 MHz) for commercial use. Because spectrum access is actively coordinated based on priority and granular location, it becomes possible for regulators to make previously allocated spectrum available to new entrants and services—while providing necessary protections for incumbent users of the band.
The six companies aim to build a robust ecosystem of industry participants and make CBRS solutions as widely available as possible. For example, private enterprises, venues and fixed operators could autonomously deploy high-quality in-building LTE networks into which all mobile network subscribers can roam. Operators could benefit from a significantly expanded footprint and capacity on new spectrum, while subscribers could enjoy a consistent wireless broadband experience—particularly in challenging places such as indoor locations, venues and corporate campuses.
The companies will continue to work with the industry to develop CBRS solutions and further build out the 3.5 GHz ecosystem. For instance, the companies are participating in the Wireless Innovation Forum’s efforts to develop and drive the adoption of standards around the unique aspects of operation in the CBRS band, which include providing an interface to the central spectrum coordination systems, actively protecting Federal operations, and managing the coexistence among those sharing the band. The companies are working towards LTE-based field trials in the second half of this year, and several will showcase CBRS-ready technologies at Mobile World Congress.
Company Support
“We are honored to partner with other wireless networking stalwarts in enabling carriers and enterprises to seamlessly and cost effectively alleviate spectrum management challenges and substantially improve the performance and capacity of wireless networks,” said Sarosh Vesuna, senior vice president, corporate development and strategic alliances for Federated Wireless.
“Google is very pleased to be one of the companies driving this technology,” said Milo Medin, vice president, access, Google. “CBRS will benefit all participants in the wireless ecosystem, but most particularly, the users of mobile devices.”
“In-building cellular coverage and capacity is an increasingly important component of both enterprise and residential consumers. Intel is committed to work with wireless networking organizations to address spectrum management challenges, come up with solutions which cater to commercially viable coverage and capacity requirements for both carriers and consumers, and ultimately service the data demands that will be critical for 5G and beyond,” said Asha Keddy, vice president, next generation and standards group, Intel Corporation.
“Over 75 percent of today’s global mobile data traffic is generated indoors, and the majority of customer complaints come from those indoor users,” said Chris Stark, head of North America business development for Nokia. “Our industry needs to address this by expanding the capacity of new coverage technologies so that we eliminate potential indoor bottlenecks as the capacity of macro networks continues to grow. Nokia is proud to join other industry leaders in bringing the next generation of coverage and capacity technology to the world.”
“Accelerating the development and deployment of LTE-based solutions in 3.5 GHz bands is critical to meet the ever-growing demand for mobile data,” said Ed Tiedemann, senior vice president, engineering, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and head of standards and industry organizations. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with this group of technology leaders and all other stakeholders to expand the 3.5 GHz ecosystem.”
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with other industry leaders to drive CBRS adoption. Working together, we will ensure CBRS dramatically expands the wireless footprint, especially within buildings where cellular and Wi-Fi technologies intersect,” said Steve Martin, senior vice president and general manager of emerging technologies for Ruckus Wireless. “LTE CBRS services represent a cost-effective way for mobile operators to expand their footprint in-building, and this ultimately translates to better service for subscribers.”
ABOUT FEDERATED WIRELESS
Formed in 2012, Federated Wireless, Inc. is developing scalable wireless infrastructure solutions to extend the access of carrier networks. The company’s dynamic Spectrum Access Service (SAS) platform focuses on the distribution of licensed shared spectrum. Its approach incorporates a neural network of radio sensors that allow for interference-free access to low-cost, high-quality licensed spectrum, and breaks down traditional barriers of high-cost, exclusive spectrum. The company’s differentiated business model creates opportunities for more efficient approaches to spectrum. Federated Wireless is headquartered in Arlington, VA, and has offices in Boston, MA and Sunnyvale, CA. More information can be found at www.federatedwireless.com.