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NTT DoCoMo to launch LTE femtocells
23 June 2010
Japanese mobile operator NTT DoCoMo plans to fill gaps in its LTE service, due to be launched this year, by offering femtocells
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NTT DoCoMo is planning to launch LTE femtocells between 2011 and 2012, as a means of supporting the rollout of its next-generation mobile network. The Japanese mobile operator is looking to deploy LTE femtocells to provide a temporary solution to gaps in network coverage.
DoCoMo first launched its 3G-based femtocell offering, under the Foma brand, in 2007, but this is believed to be the first plan announced by any operator to launch femtocells that work on LTE.
According to Yoshiyuki Yasuda, DoCoMo’s managing director, the operator will initially launch services on the 2.1 GHz band in December 2010 using between 100 and 500 main base stations. DoCoMo aims to extend coverage to up to 70% of the population using about 15,000 base stations by around 2014.
NTT DoCoMo has been deploying new base stations equipped with newly developed remote radio equipment units to provide both existing 3G and forthcoming LTE service. GTB