Small cells are used to boost cellular signal levels so that network coverage for telecommunications companies and mobile operators can be optimized. Sometimes coverage is hindered due to interference from buildings and distances, especially if some places are far off from a cell tower. In places where there are large concentrations of users, network coverage is affected.
Uruguay-based telecommunications company and mobile operator, Antel, has picked the Alcatel-Lucent (News 
- Alert) small cells technology to extend its network to high-traffic places, homes, businesses, stadiums and malls that are far flung.
Alcatel-Lucent’s small cells will streamline the scaling process so that the network coverage meets the needs of both residential customers and business users. Alcatel-Lucent will deliver LTE (News - Alert) and 3G technology for Antel’s mobile networks. Small cells enhance the quality-of-experience for 3G customers by optimizing voice and high speed data delivery by using the available wireless spectrum.
Antel will leverage the small cell technology to create seamless heterogeneous networks or HetNets. These synergize different wireless technologies to improve the coverage and capacity in all environments. This deployment upgrades the network architecture which will include a large scale integration of small cells as part of the Hetnet.
The complete end-to-end small cells solution will cover enterprise cells, home cells, metrocells, small cells gateway and comes with a management system that includes the motive home device manager. Alcatel-Lucent will take care of the supply, installation and commissioning of small cell cores and other enterprise and home cells.
Antel provides universal access to broadband by deploying a nationwide fiber optic network. It offers LTE services in Latin America. Its social commitment platform provides free connectivity to laptops given to students in public schools, cellular services to teachers, and free software and Internet access to the economically backward households.
A growing mobile workplace and mobile data, and requirements for seamless connectivity in-building and campus locations regardless of wireless access are challenges that enterprises face. Employees prefer to use their own personal devices to access certain tools at any time and enhance productivity. Small cells technology serves these needs by providing secure, and seamless wireless access, which is critical for enterprise growth.
Edited by
Maurice Nagle
