In preparation for the start of extra-high-speed LTE mobile services, NTT DOCOMO Inc. is deploying new W-CDMA base stations equipped with newly developed remote radio equipment (RRE) units to provide both existing W-CDMA and forthcoming LTE service.

The RRE-equipped base stations will account for about half of the initial LTE base stations when DOCOMO becomes one of world's first operators to launch an LTE service in December 2010.

The deployment is a part of the company's initial plan to layer a 2 GHz LTE network over its existing 3G network to provide dual W-CDMA/LTE service, which will combine the benefits of LTE's high transmission speeds with 3G's wide-area coverage as the LTE network is expanded gradually.

The RRE-equipped base station comprises a master unit for signal processing and maintenance functions and the RRE for modulating and demodulating both W-CDMA and LTE signals transmitted and received via antenna. It enables the relatively easy and efficient installation of LTE base stations to existing W-CDMA base stations and compared to existing equipment, it also helps to lower operational costs thanks to its reduced weight, size and energy consumption.