LTE-U Debate is About Business Advantage, Not Technology

Sparring over the content of new regulations, spectrum and licensing is normal in the telecommunications business. So it comes as no surprise that major interests are clashing over the ways Wi-Fi  devices can get access to Wi-Fi.

Specifically, the Wi-Fi Alliance, Google and CableLabs oppose certification of any Wi-Fi devices using the Long Term Evolution-Universal platform, until further tests are conducted.

On the other side are Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Qualcomm, Samsung Corp. and Verizon Communications.

Or, to put it in commercial terms, there is a clash between firms with business models based on licensed spectrum and business models based substantially on license-exempt spectrum.

Proponents argue that LTE-U has already been extensively tested, and not only does it not interfere with WiFi, but WiFi performance actually improves slightly in some cases.

Supporters claim LTE-U is a better neighbor to Wi-Fi access points than Wi-Fi access points are to themselves. Wi-Fi access points often interfere with one another, but LTE-U is designed to go out of its way to be polite.

Opponents fear there will be more contention for available Wi-Fi resources.

Though there is room for debate about test methods, the broader business issue is perceived advantage. Mobile interests believe they gain if LTE-U is used. Others believe they lose if LTE-U is enabled.