Google, Nokia, Qualcomm form alliance to drive 3.5GHz band
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Google, Nokia, Qualcomm form alliance to drive 3.5GHz band

Six industry leaders have launched a new partnership to develop and promote LTE-based solutions using the US shared spectrum of the 3.5GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band.

Nokia, Intel, Qualcomm, Ruckus Wireless, Google (through parent company Alphabet’s Access Technologies division) and Federated Wireless have combined to create the CBRS Alliance, building on an agreement, announced in February, to help develop an ecosystem based around CBRS airwaves.

Earlier this year, US regulator the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules for CBRS, opening 150MHz of spectrum in the 3350-3700MHz band for commercial use.

Announcing the partnership, the CBRS Alliance claimed upcoming spectrum auctions for 3400-3600MHz in several counties will lead to increased demand for LTE solutions worldwide. This led the key industry players to partner together to develop a “robust ecosystem” for LTE CBRS solutions, with the Alliance aiming to launch field trials in the second half of this year.

"There is ever-growing demand for LTE-based solutions in 3.5GHz bands and expansion of the wireless footprint," said Qualcomm VP for small cells and CBRS Alliance chairman Neville Meijers. "Working together, the CBRS Alliance aims to enable the entire industry to address demand by expanding the capacity of new technologies.”

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