Agreement to focus on small cells for 5G technology requirements and vision.

London and Bellevue, WA, 2015. The Small Cell Forum, the independent industry and operator association that supports small cell deployment worldwide, and 4G Americas, a wireless industry trade association representing LTE mobile broadband and its evolution to 5G, have announced an agreement to collaborate on work programs in the field of small cells and 5G communication systems and networks, thereby delivering better communication of carrier requirements to standards bodies and informed technology advocacy to the broader industry.

The agreement formalizes the exchange of information between the two organizations which may include joint publications, meetings, workshops and a broad range of industry outreach.

“The challenges of providing a multi-gigabyte mobile broadband and HetNet future demands an industry contribution that can bring together the best the industry can offer for the benefit of operators, vendors and end users,” said Sue Monahan, CEO of the Small Cell Forum. “This agreement with 4G Americas is a major step forward in ensuring a quicker – clearer path to 5G deployment.”

In addition to contributing to a smoother rollout of future mobile broadband networks, the agreement enables a stronger voice for the members of the two organizations – which include operators, vendors and industry experts – in 5G technology and standards development. Sharing the insights and information of both memberships will limit duplication and could accelerate the rollout of 5G networks and services at a pivotal time for mobile broadband.

Chris Pearson, President of 4G Americas noted, “North America has become the global leader in LTE and a goal of our association is to see this leadership continue by fostering the complete development of its evolution to 5G.” He continued, “We look forward to collaborating with the Small Cell Forum and their critical focus on HetNets, an important element of future 5G networks. Working together we can represent our members’ interests and contribute to a global 5G future.”

About the Small Cell Forum (SCF)
Small Cell Forum works to drive the wide-scale adoption of small cells and accelerate the delivery of integrated HetNets. We are not a standards organization but partner with organizations that inform and determine standards development. We are a carrier-led organization. This means our operator members establish requirements that drive the activities and outputs of our technical groups. Our track record speaks for itself: we have driven the standardization of key elements of small cell technology including Iuh, FAPI, SON, the small cell services API, TR‑069 evolution and the enhancement of the X2 interface. At the time of writing, Small Cell Forum has more than 140 members, including 68 operators representing more than 3 billion mobile subscribers – 46 per cent of the global total – as well as telecoms hardware and software vendors, content providers and innovative start-ups.

Contact:
Small Cell Forum
Richard Kennedy
[email protected]
+44 (0)1453 861390

About 4G Americas: Unifying the Americas Through Mobile Broadband Technology
4G Americas is an industry trade organization composed of leading telecommunications service providers and manufacturers. The organization’s mission is to advocate for and foster the advancement and full capabilities of the LTE mobile broadband technology and its evolution beyond to 5G, throughout the ecosystem’s networks, services, applications and wirelessly connected devices in the Americas. 4G Americas is invested in leading 5G development for the Americas and maintaining the current global innovation lead in North America with LTE technology. 4G Americas is headquartered in Bellevue, Wash. More information is available at www.4gamericas.org or www.twitter.com/4gamericas and www.facebook.com/4gamericas.

4G Americas’ Board of Governors members include: Alcatel-Lucent, América Móvil, AT&T, Cable & Wireless, Cisco, CommScope, Entel, Ericsson, HP, Intel, Mitel, Nokia, Qualcomm, Sprint, T-Mobile US, Inc. and Telefónica.

Contact:
4G Americas
Vicki Livingston
[email protected]
+1 262-242-3458