SEOUL, KOREA – The Korean LTE front formed by Korea’s three mobile operators (SK Telecom, KT and LG U+) is expanding into small cells. Competition between two solutions, high-power picocells and easy-to–install femtocells, is fierce.
In cellular networks, picocells are typically used to extend coverage to indoor areas where outdoor signals do not reach well, so they affect the actual voice quality felt by users.
On Monday, the industry said SK Telecom, KT and LG U+ have set their sights on LTE small cells such as femtocells, picocells, and microcells.
While SK Telecom and KT are focused on femtocells, LG U+ is keen on picocells.
Being fully devoted to LTE, LG U+ plans to use small cells for data off-loading. That’s why LG U+ has opted for high-power picocells that can cover more users than femtocells.
SK Telecom and KT have put forth the so-called “super cell” strategies that reinforce the functions of femtocells. By exploiting the advantages of femtocells, the two operators aim to ratchet up the efficiency of networks through collaboration between macrocells (base stations) and small cells.
Sean Chung (hbpark@etnews.com)
**Article provided by etnews [Korea IT News]
[Reference] : http://english.etnews.com/electronics/2715655_1303.html
