Sign in Subscribe
Software industry

Wireless Industry Unites Behind Evolve Coalition to Promote Unlicensed Spectrum and LTE-U

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Industry leaders have come together to form the Evolve coalition, a new group focused on promoting the benefits of unlicensed spectrum and emerging technologies like LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) and License Assisted Access (LAA). Key participants in the coalition include AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile US, CTIA, Competitive Carriers Association (CCA), Alcatel-Lucent, Qualcomm, and several other prominent industry players. In contrast, a notable absence from the coalition includes the backers of WiFiForward, which includes Google, Comcast, Microsoft, Broadcom, NCTA, Open Technology Institute New America, Public Knowledge, and Ruckus Wireless.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Evolve coalition will advocate for the use of unlicensed spectrum and new technologies like LTE-U and LAA, aiming to deliver better broadband services to consumers sooner rather than later.
  • Key participants include AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile US, CTIA, CCA, Alcatel-Lucent, and Qualcomm, emphasizing a diverse and competitive group of industry leaders.
  • Commercial handsets supporting LTE-U may be available in the market by mid-2016, with Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T already conducting trials with LTE-U.
  • The coalition aims to counter potential regulations from the FCC by developing and promoting LTE-U technology, which they argue can meet consumer demands for better broadband earlier than alternative solutions.
  • Qualcomm's Dean Brenner emphasized the unity among coalition members, highlighting their shared goal of promoting performance benefits offered by LTE-U and LAA.

Statistics:

  • 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum is defined to encourage permission-less innovation and drive the mobile market.
  • LTE-U incorporates co-existence features from 3GPP standard Releases 10, 11, and 12, ensuring no negative impact with Wi-Fi.
  • Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T are conducting trials with LTE-U in 2016.
  • Commercial handsets supporting LTE-U may be available in the market by mid-2016.

Sources:

  • [1] The Evolve coalition was launched in Washington, D.C. with industry leaders including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile US. (Source:
  • [2] The Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) President and CEO Steve Berry stated the importance of fair coexistence, assuring that the technology will incorporate necessary features to ensure coexistence capabilities. (Source: )
  • [3] Public Knowledge stated concerns about the impact of LTE-U on the Wi-Fi community, citing concerns about the use of a carrier-controlled on/off switch, duty cycling. (Source: )
  • [4] The Wi-Fi Alliance is working closely with the Evolve coalition to address questions and concerns from the Wi-Fi community. (Source: )
  • [5] Alcatel-Lucent created the LTE-U Forum in 2014 with several industry partners. (Source:
  • [6] The 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum is defined to encourage permission-less innovation and drive the mobile market. (Source: Global Data Point, 2015)

Read more