Operators started to rely Unlicensed spectrum due to the below reasons :
- Mobile Network operators (MNOs) continue to experience a phenomenal increase in mobile data consumption driven by increased adoption of smartphones, emergence of new applications, video and the younger generation’s dependence on always being connected.
- The cellular operators do want to be able to service their customers, while maintaining appropriate of CapEx/OpEx spending and still enhance revenues.
- Mobile data consumption continues to grow rapidly and meeting the demand for high performance, low cost services remains enormously challenging.
- Unlicensed spectrum is free and the systems are in general susceptible to unpredictable interference.
- Licensed spectrum provides exclusive license for a specific band of spectrum to operators and due to limited availability and the cost of licensed spectrum, operators have relied on the use of unlicensed spectrum to ease congestion on their networks.