We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Is a Smartphone for 3.5 GHz Wireless Network in the Works?
Read MoreHide Full Article
Major U.S. telecom operators are currently exploring ways to commercialize usage of 3.5 GHz unlicensed wireless spectrum. Notably, the 3.5 GHz radio frequency is being considered in many parts of the world for the upcoming 5G wireless standard, thereby increasing its chances of providing spectrum globally.
In Aug 2016, several leading tech giants formed an alliance called “Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS)” to explore low-cost ways to provide wireless service using unlicensed 3.5GHz band. Notable among them are Google of Alphabet Inc., Qualcomm, Intel, Ericsson and Nokia. In practice, CBRS alliance works toward defining standards that would allow wireless carriers, enterprises, venue owners and others to deploy 4G LTE networks in the 3.5 GHz band.
According to a recent report by FierceWireless, a projected timeline from the CBRS alliance showed that the organization expects at least one handset to be approved by Dec, 2017. However, the timeline can be extended further.
Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ - Free Report) is planning to deploy small cells – both low power and high power – using the 3.5 GHz band. T-Mobile US Inc. (TMUS - Free Report) applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for an experimental radio license to test 3.5GHz equipment in Washington State. Meanwhile, in Mar 2017, the FCC awarded AT&T Inc. (T - Free Report) a license to test a 3.5GHz network.
Sprint Corp. (S - Free Report) has also joined the bandwagon. Small-sized U.S. wireless service provider United States Cellular Corp. (USM - Free Report) recently submitted an application to the FCC for a six-month special temporary authority (STA) to conduct trial runs in the 3.5 GHz band in some areas of Maine and North Carolina.
The increase in adoption of small cells is due to the inconvenience of installing large towers in inaccessible areas. Verizon stated that the small cells will be used to augment its existing 4G LTE and upcoming 5G network and will primarily concentrate on high traffic locations like a business district or shopping mall. Small cells will increase voice capacity and data speeds as well as complement wireless service provider’s LTE infrastructure.
Using small cells in unlicensed 3.5 GHz band will thus significantly reduce cost of operations for the wireless operators. However, the wireless standard will remain unutilized until we get effective smartphones capable of receiving this radio frequency.
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.
Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020. Click here for the 6 trades >>
Unique Zacks Analysis of Your Chosen Ticker
Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time
Image: Bigstock
Is a Smartphone for 3.5 GHz Wireless Network in the Works?
Major U.S. telecom operators are currently exploring ways to commercialize usage of 3.5 GHz unlicensed wireless spectrum. Notably, the 3.5 GHz radio frequency is being considered in many parts of the world for the upcoming 5G wireless standard, thereby increasing its chances of providing spectrum globally.
In Aug 2016, several leading tech giants formed an alliance called “Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS)” to explore low-cost ways to provide wireless service using unlicensed 3.5GHz band. Notable among them are Google of Alphabet Inc., Qualcomm, Intel, Ericsson and Nokia. In practice, CBRS alliance works toward defining standards that would allow wireless carriers, enterprises, venue owners and others to deploy 4G LTE networks in the 3.5 GHz band.
According to a recent report by FierceWireless, a projected timeline from the CBRS alliance showed that the organization expects at least one handset to be approved by Dec, 2017. However, the timeline can be extended further.
Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ - Free Report) is planning to deploy small cells – both low power and high power – using the 3.5 GHz band. T-Mobile US Inc. (TMUS - Free Report) applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for an experimental radio license to test 3.5GHz equipment in Washington State. Meanwhile, in Mar 2017, the FCC awarded AT&T Inc. (T - Free Report) a license to test a 3.5GHz network.
Sprint Corp. (S - Free Report) has also joined the bandwagon. Small-sized U.S. wireless service provider United States Cellular Corp. (USM - Free Report) recently submitted an application to the FCC for a six-month special temporary authority (STA) to conduct trial runs in the 3.5 GHz band in some areas of Maine and North Carolina.
All five stocks mentioned above currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The increase in adoption of small cells is due to the inconvenience of installing large towers in inaccessible areas. Verizon stated that the small cells will be used to augment its existing 4G LTE and upcoming 5G network and will primarily concentrate on high traffic locations like a business district or shopping mall. Small cells will increase voice capacity and data speeds as well as complement wireless service provider’s LTE infrastructure.
Using small cells in unlicensed 3.5 GHz band will thus significantly reduce cost of operations for the wireless operators. However, the wireless standard will remain unutilized until we get effective smartphones capable of receiving this radio frequency.
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.
Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020. Click here for the 6 trades >>