Mumbai: Telecom equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent said it has partnered with Qualcomm Technologies to collaborate for developing small cell base stations to enhance 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi networks.

These next-generation small cells would combine Alcatel-Lucent's expertise and innovation with Qualcomm's mobile and networking technologies to enable ultra-broadband wireless communications, a statement said.

This will help improve wireless connectivity in residential and enterprise environments, especially in environments like urban areas, shopping malls and other enterprise venues, it added.

To facilitate this acceleration, the two companies plan to jointly invest in a strategic R&D programme to develop the next generation of Alcatel-Lucent LightRadio Small Cell products featuring Qualcomm Technologies' FSM9900 family of Small Cell chipsets.

The investment would be shared by Alcatel-Lucent and Qualcomm Technologies.

Financial details were, however, not disclosed. "This initiative perfectly illustrates 'The Shift Plan' we announced last month, which will see Alcatel-Lucent focus on growth technologies, including those facilitating ultra-broadband access. We also said we would actively seek collaboration with key industry players," Alcatel-Lucent CEO Michel Combes said.

Small cells greatly increase capacity by bringing the network closer to the user, thus enabling operators to serve the anticipated 1000x growth in mobile data traffic and dramatically improving the experience for wireless subscribers, Qualcomm Chairman and CEO Paul E Jacobs said.

"Working together with industry leaders like Alcatel-Lucent, we can accelerate the dense deployment of small cells globally, driving another significant leap in advanced wireless broadband technology and services," he added.

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