As improbable as agreement likely seemed when the idea of allowing Long Term Evolution mobile networks to use Wi-Fi spectrum (LTE-U), the initially warring mobile and Wi-Fi communities and industries finally reached agreement on interference issues, allowing the Federal Communications Commission to move ahead and authorize LTE-U spectrum sharing between mobile operators (Verizon and T-Mobile US plan to do so) and 5-GHz Wi-Fi networks.
These days, one is as likely to hear Wi-Fi supporters praising “spectrum convergence” and touting Wi-Fi quality of service features, as to hear warnings about interference if LTE devices are allowed to bond licensed spectrum with Wi-Fi assets.
Verizon has been working towards LTE-U since at least 2015. And T-Mobile US has announced deployment of LTE-U capabilities in its LTE network, following FCC certification of equipment from Ericsson and Nokia.
T-Mobile US expects to begin commercial LTE-U functions in the spring of 2017. Basically, LTE-U gives T-Mobile US customers the ability to bond some Wi-Fi spectrum (20 MHz) with T-Mobile’s licensed spectrum, while maintaining LTE sessions.
“LTE-U allows wireless providers to deliver mobile data traffic using unlicensed spectrum while
sharing the road, so to speak, with Wi-Fi,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.
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