Qualcomm promises new chip to improve in-home 4G LTE coverage

According to CNET, Qualcomm is introducing a new chip that will improve 4G LTE wireless data service inside and outside of a house. Qualcomm will offer a low-cost chip, FSM90xx SoC, that should be inexpensive enough to include in Wi-Fi routers by device makers. This would create mini 4G LTE cells in a person’s home. According to Qualcomm, the 4G LTE small cell technology can be put into products that are also offering Wi-Fi access.

It is believed that products such as this chip are a way for Qualcomm to push their “small cell” technology. Femto cells are already offered by wireless carriers to improve 3G coverage (mostly voice) inside homes and buildings.

Just last month, Qualcomm introduced new chips that use antenna technology to boost Wi-Fi download speeds in areas where many people are trying to use the internet. Qualcomm expects those chips to arrive at the end of the year or during the first quarter of next year.

According to ABI Research, companies such as AT&T, Verizon and Sprint are expected to drive the Outdoor Small Cells market in 2014 up to $1.8 billion in 2014. The number of LTE small cells is expected to grow to a $10 billion market by 2019.

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