ip.access links past, present and future of small cells with nanoConverge offer

CHICAGO, USA: ip.access has unveiled its nanoConverge solution, which provides mobile operators with a single converged 2G and 3G small cell Radio Access Network, and a future upgrade path to small cell LTE deployments.

Launched on ip.access' existing nanoGateway 200 platform, the converged solution will initially allow operators to quickly and easily add 3G capability to their existing ip.access 2G small cell deployments. Next year, ip.access will make further additions to its nanoConverge solution which will not only add LTE capability but will also enable operators to run larger volumes of 2G, 3G and 4G small cells from a single converged nanoGateway.

ip.access founder and CTO, Nick Johnson, said: “Our nanoConverge solution will make small cell network planning, upgrade and roll-out easier and more economical for operators all over the world. What’s more, the nanoConverge solution will enable operators to make the most of existing infrastructure investments by allowing 2G, 3G and LTE small cells to be controlled and managed from a common platform – it represents true convergence of past, present and future small cell network roll-outs.”

Peter Jarich, Current Analysis’ Mobile Ecosystem service director, said: “Even operators and vendors who’d previously questioned the value of small cells now acknowledge their importance, not only for next generation networks but also to provide extra coverage and capacity for existing mobile networks. A common small cell core, addressing multiple radio access technologies plays to this importance by helping keep operational complexity and cost down.”

The initial nanoConverge solution provides an easy migration path allowing ip.access' nanoGSM picocell customers to introduce 3G capabilities to their existing 2G small cell systems. It runs the nano3G Access Controller and IPsec gateway on a blade within the nanoGateway 200 platform (used for the Basestation Controller in existing nanoGSM picocell deployments), and supports up to 500 nano3G Access Points.

Complying with 3GPP's Iuh and TR-069 small cell industry standards, nanoConverge is built using ip.access' award-winning Oyster3G technology that is at the heart of the world’s largest femtocell roll-out – the AT&T 3G MicroCell in the USA, developed jointly by Cisco and ip.access.

Johnson confirmed that the nanoConverge solution would be entering operator trials next month, and said that full scale deployments would begin early next year.

Earlier this month, ip.access announced a new C-class residential femtocell to complement its existing range of office, enterprise and public access small cells – all of which use the Oyster 3G technology. As well as supplying the world’s largest femtocell roll-out, the company works with more than 60 mobile operators worldwide.