CableLabs working on small-cell architecture for cellular backhaul offerings

CableLabs has introduced a technical project that involves picocells and other small-cell architectures that cable operators can use with their own wireless deployments and cellular backhaul offerings.

According to Light Reading Mobile, which cited sources familiar with CableLabs' work, the firm has issued a request for information (RFI) on the topic and asks for information about various cable options for providing cellular backhaul services, including strand-mounted picocells that support 3G, Wi-Fi and LTE connections. CableLabs is also seeking information about Ethernet-to-coax and Ethernet-to-fiber architectures.

Several vendors have already developed, or are in the process of creating, cable-ready, strand-mounted picocells. BelAir Networks  introduced a Wi-Fi/LTE picocell that can be used by cable providers and wireless carriers. It already has a Wi-Fi/3G picocell in the market. Greg Williams, senior vice president of business and corporate development with BelAir, told FierceBroadbandWireless that the vendor is already involved in a deployment by which the cable provider is wholesaling strand-mounted picocell connections to a wireless operator. Belair has deployed 25 picocells so far in that deployment.

For more:
- see this Light Reading Mobile article

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