The next iPad version is being launched in March – this time equipped with LTE, as reported by Chip.de. http://www.chip.de/news/Das-neue-iPad-3-Alle-Details-und-erste-Eindruecke_54525027.html The new mobile communication standard will also be integrated to the next iPhone. At the Cebit show, Vodafone is introducing its first LTE Smartphone. “But what is the real benefit of an iPad 3 with ultrafast technology, if the mobile Internet can’t keep up? We also need a functioning LTE infrastructure in the form of radio cells. This became very obvious at the Mobile World Congress, and now again at the Cebit show”, says Bernd Stahl from network provider Nash Technologies.
Digitalization is in full swing. It is permeating one sector after another and is clearly unstoppable. It has three pillars: end-devices, Cloud services and what is essentially an ‘adhesive’ for fast Internet. Not only Smartphones and tablets, but also vehicles, energy supply in our homes, as well as household appliances are being made intelligent and networked. The Internet needs to handle these volumes of data, also via wireless. This applies to the coverage as well as the bandwidth of mobile communication networks. The functions of end-devices and Cloud services are growing day by day. “The new Google Play Cloud service competes with Apple iTunes. There are more and more books, music, films, etc. in the Cloud. All of this can only work if mobile Internet is available everywhere with higher bandwidth.”
“Network operators need to manage the technological transition”
Mini radio cells, so-called Small Cells, complement the bulky radio masts which can certainly supply broadband to a large area, but which can hardly keep up with the growing data flow. There is also a lot of progress being made on the next generation of Small Cells. “At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, we noticed high-level interest among chip manufacturers and network operators. They’re trying to master a balancing act. On the one hand, they want to equip radio cells with LTE, but at the same time they want to cover UMTS. This is the only way to successfully make the transition from the third to the fourth generation”, adds Stahl. Nash Technologies integrates and tests UMTS and LTE networks. And, as part of the Harvey Nash Group (http://www.harveynash.com), the specialists from Nuremberg are ideally equipped to handle complete projects while the personnel consultants from Harvey Nash source the required additional support.
“The market for Small Cells is still completely open”
“The market for Small Cells is still completely open. Unlike with Cloud providers and end-device suppliers, there aren’t two or three market leaders dominating the market. Asia, Europe and the USA are all involved and over the next few years, we’ll see who is ahead”, says Stahl. One thing is quite sure however: the market for Small Cells is growing dramatically. The Small Cell Forum published new figures at the Mobile World Congress. It is now estimated that the market worldwide will grow from 3.2 million cells in 2012 to over 62 million cells by 2016.
