Dig into three technology areas Light Reading Mobile expects to make big news in Barcelona:

Smarter 4G networks
Concepts like self-managing and heterogeneous multi-standard networks have been marketing crack for infrastructure vendors for a year or more, and 2012 appears to be the year where these pipe dreams might become a more tangible reality.

Simply put, a Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) is a radio network that comprises layers of different-sized cells, big to small, to best deliver maximum 4G speed and coverage. Add self-management features for better performance and coverage on the user's side of the network and support for other wireless technology, and you have a concept that is taking baby steps from slideware to the real world at MWC.

Get hip to the HetNet, SON:

• AT&T's No. 1 SON
• Euronews: NSN Soups Up Liquid Net
• Ericsson Preps New Small Cells
• Small Cells Take a Big Step Forward
• Get Hip to the HetNet

VoLTE
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) will be the talk of MWC this year. With more LTE smartphones coming onto the market, operators need to be able to deliver voice services over their LTE networks. Last year, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)-based VoLTE technology was showcased for its potential to deliver not only voice but also video and other media-rich services. This year, the spotlight on VoLTE will reveal more practical concerns about the technology, such as: When can we realistically expect commercial service launches, and when will devices support the technology?

VoLTE won't be the only LTE voice on the show floor. Alternative, interim solutions like Circuit-Switch Fallback (CSFB) will also get some attention. If VoLTE proves to be more difficult, or costly, to deploy than some operators thought, then operators could rely on CSFB for longer than expected.

Also, expect more questions this year about whether VoLTE is really the right way to deliver voice services on LTE networks. Do operators have to deploy IMS to do LTE voice services? And how do operators perceive the threat from over-the-top (OTT) voice providers? Is IMS-based VoLTE their last resort to compete against OTT players?

• MetroPCS Blames 4G Voice Wait on Qualcomm
• VoLTE Is Near
• Qualcomm Makes First VoLTE-to-3G Hand-Off
• VZ Plans Nationwide VoLTE in 2013
• When Will Operators Bolt to VoLTE?
• Operators Raise Voice Services on LTE
• D2 Launches VoLTE Client for Android
• LG Tests VoLTE With Cisco
• Ixia Adds VoLTE Test

Wi-Fi offload
The steady stream of Wi-Fi offload news leading up to MWC gives a good indication of how big the topic will be in Barcelona. Right now, the operators are focused on three related initiatives: The first is simply to get Wi-Fi access points deployed to ease network congestion. Second, operators are looking at how to integrate Wi-Fi with small-cell base stations as part of a wider HetNet strategy. And, third, they'll soon begin tackling the network elements of adding intelligence to the offload to manage and monetize subscribers across the different technologies.

There's no shortage of vendors stepping up to the Wi-Fi challenge. This year alone, Ericsson AB has announced its plans to acquire BelAir Networks Inc.; Ruckus Wireless Inc. has been readying itself for an IPO; and several vendors, including Ruckus, BelAir and Ubiquisys Ltd. have begun tackling the all-in-one Wi-Fi/3G/4G challenge.

Here's the Wi-Fi news that's setting the stage for the show next week.

• MWC 2012: Wireless Tapas
• NSN Pours Small Cells in Liquid Radio
• Broadcom Intros 802.11ac Chips
• Femto Firm Preps LTE Small Cell
• Ruckus Guns for an IPO
• Small Cell Forum Drops the 'F' Word
• Stokin' Up Wi-Fi's Operator Cred
• NEC Reveals Small-Cell Backhaul Playbook
• Ruckus Packs Wi-Fi & LTE Into Small Cells

— The Staff, Light Reading Mobile

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