The document discusses license-exempt integration with small cells and wireless technologies. It notes that the Small Cell Forum's carrier members are driving technical workstreams around 5G integration, heterogenous networking, regulatory issues, virtualization, smarter Wi-Fi integration using LAA and Wi-Fi calling, and smarter self-organizing networks. Key criteria for comparing license-exempt systems include device/network connection management, authentication, LAA/LTE-u/LWA support, seamless mobility, and integrated self-organizing networks. LAA and LWA differ in connection management capabilities and neutral host functionality.

1. A view of License-Exempt
Mark Grayson
SCF Board Member & Networking Group Vice Chair
Cisco Distinguished Engineer

2. © Small Cell Forum Ltd 2015
TODAY OUR CARRIER MEMBERS ARE DRIVING
TECHNICAL WORKSTREAMS THAT INCLUDE:
Integration of small cells into 5G
standards evolution
HetNet interoperability
Regulatory development
Small Cell Forum
Driving HetNet deployments
Virtualisation of Small Cells
Smarter Wi-Fi integration – LAA &
Wi-Fi calling
Smarter SON
Small Cells and M2M

3. Integrating Small Cells and
Licensed-Exempt Systems
© Small Cell Forum Ltd 2015

4. Small
CellLAA
Wi-Fi
AP
Wi-Fi
AP
LWA
802.11
Wi-Fi
AP
MME
S-GW
P-GW
MP-TCP
TWAG
ePDG
License-Exempt Integration

5. Key Comparison Criteria
© Small Cell Forum Ltd 2015
Device Related Network Related
Connection
Manager/Authe
ntication
LAA/LTE-
u/LWA/WLC
P Support
Seamless
Mobility
ANDSF/RA
N
Assistance Integrated
SON
Neutral
host/shared
network
Common
management

6. • One of the key differentiators of LAA and LWA
based systems is the integrated SON/Load
balancing capability.
• Integration of RAN Assistance into NBIFOM will be
critical for enhanced TWAG propositions to
compete with LAA/LWA capabilities.
• When contrasting LAA and LWA approaches to
license exempt integration into the access
network, the key trade-offs in terms of
requirements look to be around the enhanced
neutral host capability of LWA, versus the lack of
connection management functionality necessary
for deploying LAA.
Interesting Observations
© Small Cell Forum Ltd 2015

7. Which direction addresses the future
densification challenge?
© Small Cell Forum Ltd 2015