Alcatel-Lucent is extending its wireless mobile backhaul capabilities to provide high-capacity deployment coverage via LTE heterogeneous networks (hetnets) - a mix of macro and small cell base stations. Company has announced a  new full outdoor microwave packet radio (MPR) networking unit to deliver LTE access. Alcatel-Lucent is also enhancing its small cell backhaul radio portfolio to more efficiently deliver wireless backhaul across a range of deployment scenarios.

According to Alcatel-Lucent, the introduction of the Microwave Services Switch – Outdoor (MSS-O) to the 9500 Microwave Packet Radio (9500 MPR) family simplifies small cell deployment, giving mobile operators more options for placement as they boost backhaul link capacity. The company is also collaborating with other wireless backhaul product providers, to offer support for a range of small cell backhaul frequency options and address an even greater variety of small cell deployment scenario needs.

Alcatel-Lucent’s 9500 MPR portfolio include the 9500 MPR Microwave Services Switch-Outdoor (MSS-O): a compact, easy to deploy, full outdoor microwave networking device, for boosting link capacity and reliability for small cell backhaul networks; the 9500 MPR Microwave Packet Transceiver-Sub6 (MPT-Sub6):  a next-generation sub-6Ghz wireless backhaul solution for non-line-of-sight (NLOS) small cell deployments in built-up, urban locations; The 9500 MPR Microwave Packet Transceiver-Gigabit Services (MPT-GS): providing line-of-sight wireless backhaul solutions at 60GHz and 80GHz frequencies.

In addition Alcatel-Lucent is further simplifying the site selection and backhaul process for small cell deployment with the Small Cells Site Certification Program, launched in 2013. Under this program it is working with local companies such as operators, integrators and other expertise around the world to speed the deployment process for operators.