More flexible 3G Radio Access Networks
NEC Corporation has announced that it will start marketing 3G Node Bs based on the recently developed CPRI specification.
The objective is to provide Mobile Network Operators with more flexible base station architectures which can reduce CAPEX while maximizing capacity and performance.
The Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) is an industry cooperation aimed at defining a publicly available specification for the key internal interface of 3G radio base stations between the Radio Equipment Control (REC) and the Radio Equipment (RE). The parties cooperating to define the specification are Ericsson AB, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. NEC Corporation, Nortel Networks SA and Siemens AG.
In partnership with Siemens, NEC is adapting its range of fully compliant 3GPP compliant Node Bs and the rollout will commence with the industry’s most popular operational Node B 440 range in 2004. These products will be supplemented by the introduction of distributed architectures in 2005 to facilitate simpler Installation and Commissioning. As the specification evolves this year, NEC will be taking advantage of more advanced cascading techniques for greater coverage with lower capital costs.
The CPRI specification will encourage independent technology evolution for the two main segments of the Base Station, permitting manufacturers to focus on core technology competence. The wider product portfolio and shorter time to market will still be underpinned by radio network system vendors retaining full responsibility for base station performance, reliability and interoperability.