By Mike  Schabel, VP Small Cells, Alcatel-Lucent

2013’s version of Mobile World Congress starts in earnest for the industry in a couple of days. Year over year, it serves as a pivotal event which defines the future by reinforcing existing plans and announcing future directions. This year, I anticipate that Mobile World Congress will be something akin to “Speed Dating” (although truth be told, I met my wife the old fashion way… so I don’t have practical knowledge about speed dating).  I have an endless number of back to back meetings with important customers and suppliers where we have set high goals and objectives for every meeting.

The stakes could not be higher, as this year, my goal is to firmly establish that small cell networks:

• Are not a dream, but a clear and necessary important for wireless data networks
• Are not theoretical, but demonstrated to work in the most challenging conditions
• Are not cute demos, but operating today in the networks of wireless operators who are leading the way for building wireless broadband networks.

High stakes indeed. This year, I don’t plan big fancy stories or big fancy demonstrations at Mobile World Congress. This year, I bring simply the quiet confident message that our team understands and has the experience to help operators build, integrate, and manage their end-to-end small cell network, offering a comprehensive small cell portfolio of products and services. We have the data and proof points to reinforce the message that we are ready to help operators transform their networks in to wireless broadband networks that will scale long into the future.