NEC has examined the performance of small cell LTE technology in conjunction with an unnamed operator, using the 2.6 GHz frequency band. The trial has demonstrated that small cells can deliver significantly higher capacity and higher user data rate in comparison with a typical macro-based LTE deployment in dense urban environments.

NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) announced today at the Mobile World Congress 2011 the results of a recent analysis of small cell LTE performance carried out at the frequency spectrum of 2.6 Ghz in conjunction with a mobile operator. The joint analysis shows that small cells deliver significantly higher capacity and higher user data rate in comparison with a typical macro based LTE deployment in a dense urban environment.

"We are hearing a very positive response from mobile operators about small cells as it becomes clear small cell deployment is going to be a key factor in the success of future mobile broadband, particularly LTE at the 2.6Ghz spectrum," said Dr Shahram Niri, Director of NEC Europe, responsible for NEC's global LTE/SAE Strategy & Solution. "NEC, a pioneer of small cell LTE solutions, has been at the forefront of this paradigm shift for the past two years Our tests prove how small cell LTE is a more environmentally friendly solution and provides superior capacity and user performance with one touch plug and play, zero footprint, lower TCO."

The results of the test showed how a small cell LTE solution delivers around three times more throughput and double the average user data rate in comparison with a typical macro cell. Furthermore, by adding a few small cells in a macro cell in a heterogeneous scenario with a shared carrier between macro and small cells, the results averaged data rates of 1.5 times more as well as two times faster cell edge data rates. These rates improve further when combined with NEC's advanced SON (Self Organising Network) small cell LTE solution by up to 100 per cent user throughput at the cell edge.
Dr Shahram Niri continued, "We anticipate over 200 times more traffic will be carried by mobile networks for 2010 to 2020. The current macro-based LTE deployment plans are complex, costly to manage and operate and still do not deliver the desired performance. As a result, the mobile industry is buying into the small cell LTE concept and mobile operators are keen to explore it as a cost-effective deployment for mobile broadband. At MWC 2010 we showcased the world's smallest, all-in-one compact LTE base station and NEC is set to deliver the first commercially available small cell LTE in 2011."

A mobile network comprising small cell LTE has several advantages over macro LTE deployment. It provides superior capacity, throughput and latency performance to macro LTE deployments in high spectrum frequencies such as 2.6Ghz. In addition, it provides the opportunity for operators to grow, in-step, with real-world capacity demand rather than investing millions, upfront, into the network. This enables operators to test, adjust and tailor the provision of services according to capacity demand and the profitability of high-data rate services. Mobile operators can tailor their LTE services roll out accordingly - from small-scale to wide-scale deployments.

NEC's LTE small cell solution is SON managed enabling efficient, easy and fast deployments and operation of LTE at a much lower cost than previous 2G and 3G deployments. The all-in-one compact LTE one touch base station is fast and cost-effective to deploy, alleviating the need for costly site acquisition and installation. It is discreet and small enough to be fitted on building walls or street lamps which means it does not need heavy-lifting machinery or rigorous local authority planning permission and can be fitted in less than one hour by one person.
Mr. Kazuya Hashimoto, General Manager, NEC Corporation said: "NEC is proud to be at the forefront of the technology behind wireless broadband. We find ourselves in an exciting era - one where mobile broadband and services such as mobile cloud are becoming integrated into our everyday lives. Such technologies rely on successful roll-out of LTE. We are contributing considerably to the early commercialisation of the global LTE market and have accumulated invaluable expertise and know-how."
NEC will showcase its LTE and Small Cell LTE solution at Stand 8A125 at "Mobile World Congress 2011" in Barcelona, Spain from February 14 - 17, 2011
(*1) LTE - Long Term Evolution

About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company's experience and global resources, NEC's advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.