Telecoms technology company Alcatel-Lucent has announced technical specifications for a new mobile network solution called lightRadio. Instead of using conventional radio masts and base stations, lightRadio splits the base station into its component parts. These are then distributed into the antenna and throughout a cloud-like network.
At the centre of the lightRadio concept is a cube-shaped antenna invented by Bell Labs. These can be used on their own for targeted coverage or combined for larger areas.
Ben Verwaayen, Chief Executive Officer of Alcatel-Lucent, said “Today’s and tomorrow’s demands for coverage and capacity require a breakthrough in mobile communications. lightRadio will signal the end of the basestation and the cell tower as we know it today.”
Consumers are expected to receive an improved service, with an increased number of smaller antennas allowing more bandwidth per user. lightRadio also promises to shrink the carbon footprint of mobile networks by over 50% and reduce the Total Cost of Ownership of mobile operators by up to 50%.
[Alcatel-Lucent blog]