Wi-Fi Advocates Anxious as LTE-U Starts to Be Deployed, Says Fletcher Heald Lawyer

Wi-Fi advocates are collectively holding their breath as carriers start to deploy LTE-unlicensed, said Fletcher Heald lawyer Mitchell Lazarus in a blog post. The FCC said Wednesday it certified the first LTE-U devices (see 1702220066). “The announcement reiterates that coexistence with other unlicensed devices is not an FCC requirement,” wrote Lazarus. “But it mentions that the new devices were successfully evaluated for coexistence under a test plan worked out by industry -- in this case, LTE-U and Wi-Fi stakeholders under the auspices of the Wi-Fi Alliance.” Lazarus, who represents wireless clients, noted Wi-Fi is inexpensive and loved by consumers because it always works. “The real test of coexistence between Wi-Fi and LTE-U begins now, in the millions of homes and offices that rely on both Wi-Fi and cell phones to stay connected,” he said.