Press Release 2013
Alcatel-Lucent Bell Labs announces major advance in wireless communications
Paris, April 1, 2013 — Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced the development of the next stage in wireless communications, which promises to greatly improve throughput and user experience for users of this new device.
There are now more than 6.8 billion mobile phones subscribers globally, with more than a billion in China alone, and nearly that many in India. Mobile-broadband subscriptions have climbed from 268 million in 2007 to 2.1 billion in 2013. And these smart phones and tablets are using immensely more wireless data than just a few years ago. Bell Laboratories studies have forecasted that wireless data traffic volumes have been more than doubling in the USA since 2007, resulting in forecasts of wireless data demand increasing 25 times over the next 5 years. Others have extrapolated to 2020 traffic that is 1000 times what it was in 2011, and others still have suggested 5000x.
Sustaining this growth has been a major challenge for the industry, particularly in light of the looming spectrum shortage. In the past, we have pointed out that improvements in air interface efficiency is already close to the Shannon limit, so only a factor of 1.5 might be had from such approaches. Additional spectrum allocations will likely increase nor more than another factor of two. We've pointed out that only with small cell deployments providing another 10x for a total of about 30 times the 2011's capacity. But what of continued growth in demand? How will we sustain this growth?
Researchers and systems engineers at Alcatel-Lucent, Bell Labs note that raising the subscriber's antenna from 1 meter to 2 meters reduces that propagation loss by about 3 dB, increasing signal strength by a factor of 2. Innovative development work has made this possible by mounting the subscriber antennas in a handsome cap to be worn on top of the subscriber's head. This cap also permits multiple antennas to be mounted further from the obstructing presence of the hand and further apart from each other, providing even more improved MIMO gain.
The top-notch developers at Alcatel-Lucent who have pioneered this Bell Enhanced ANtenna Improved Efficiency (Beanie) cap also includes a wind powered motion inducer that helps to provide the full benefits of LTE, even with a stationary user, a perineal concern to wireless operators, by having a propeller move near the antennas causing helpful "whitening" of the radio path by spinning slightly in the breeze.
Bell Labs wireless research head, Tod Sizler points out, "Wind energy harvesting research such as this BEANIE work is part of our Greentouch(tm) and power reduction initiatives. and Crowd sourcing using a BEANIE BUNCH could allow multiple beanies in a crowd to work together in a MIMO function."
These Beanie caps will come in two fashionable colors and a yellow-red mixed color design for the particularly adventuresome fashion leaders. The unisex design adds to their appeal. The product goes on sale, April 1st, April Fools Day.
About Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU)
The long-trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments around the world, Alcatel-Lucent is a leading innovator in the field of working nets and communicating technology, products and services. The company is home to Bell Labs, one of the world's foremost research centers, responsible for breakthroughs that have shaped the working communications industry. Alcatel-Lucent was named one of MIT Technology Review's 2012 Top 50 list of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" for breakthroughs such as lightRadioTM, which cuts operating costs on wireless networks while delivering fast Internet access. Through such innovations, Alcatel-Lucent is making communications more sustainable, more affordable and more accessible as we pursue our mission - Realizing the Potential of a Connected World.
With operations in more than 130 countries and one of the most experienced global services organizations in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The Company achieved revenues of Euro 15.3 billion in 2011 and is incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris.
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