Nokia Networks has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Artemis Research, agreeing to test the latter’s wireless “bubble” technology in stadiums and similar spaces. The technology that consists of wireless antennas would be able to produce “bubbles” of connectivity around devices such as smartphones and tablets, curtailing the need to share bandwidth with other people and speed up internet connections as well.
The wireless technology or wireless antennas called “pWave” create bubbles called “pCells” or “personal cells” that can follow the smartphone or tablet owners while they move around. This is significant in crowded places, where large number of people share the same cell, thereby reducing the speed of the connection. Hossein Moiin, Nokia Networks’ chief technology officer, revealed that in the beginning he found the idea of “bubble” connectivity unbelievable. “We took a look at it and said: ‘Eh, it doesn’t seem very possible,'” he said, according to news reports.
However, the disbelief soon faded away and Nokia decided to test Steve Perlman-owned Artemis Research’s invention. “We’ll put everything together in a real-life setting and see how it scales,” he said, terming the invention as a “promising technology”.
Steve Perlman is also the co-operator of Apple’s QuickTime technology that found video game streaming service “OnLive”. Artemis is one among several such big US carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon that are trying to find ways to get better wireless connections to the users. While it is the only one that made it to the testing stage, Moiin said if pCells don’t work then Nokia is also considering a similar wireless technology being developed in Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
