--- markdown_generated_at: "2026-10-14" title: "MulteFire" url: "https://www.qualcomm.com/research/5g/spectrum-sharing/multefire" --- # MulteFire ## MulteFire: LTE-like performance with Wi-Fi-like deployment simplicity. MulteFire™ opens up new opportunities by operating 4G LTE technology solely in unlicensed spectrum such as the global 5 GHz. This differs from [Licensed Assisted Access](https://www.qualcomm.com/research/5g/5g-unlicensed-shared-spectrum) (LAA) and [LTE - Wi-Fi link aggregation](https://www.qualcomm.com/research/5g/5g-unlicensed-shared-spectrum) (LWA), both of which aggregate unlicensed spectrum with an anchor in licensed spectrum. By combining the enhanced performance of LTE with the deployment simplicity of unlicensed spectrum, MulteFire offers the best of both worlds, enabling enhanced broadband services in more places than ever before. Qualcomm Executive Template Download (PDF) Jun 6, 2016 ## Forming the MulteFire Alliance. In December 2015, the MulteFire Alliance announced its formation —an international association open to new members dedicated to promoting a global ecosystem for MulteFire. The MulteFire Alliance will also develop global technical specifications for MulteFire and establish a product certification program. [Click here for more information or to become a member](http://www.multefire.org) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/multefire-logo2?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) ## Designed for global and fair Wi-Fi coexistence. A key principle in the design of MulteFire is fair coexistence with Wi-Fi. It is based on LAA and uses similar coexistence technologies, including “Listen Before Talk,” which is required for global deployments. This also means that MulteFire, like LAA, is a good neighbor in unlicensed spectrum with any other technology, including Wi-Fi, LAA and LTE-U. MulteFire enjoys similar performance enhancement from using LTE as LAA, such as enhanced coverage, increased capacity and improved mobility—ultimately resulting in an overall better user experience. [Click here to learn more about Signal Research Group’s coexistence testing](https://www.qualcomm.com/content/dam/qcomm-martech/dm-assets/documents/wi-fi-lte-u-coexistence-and-the-user-experience-srg-at-ctia-2015.pdf) ## High performance small cells that can serve any user—opens up new opportunities By solely using unlicensed spectrum, which is neutral, MulteFire can naturally operate as a neutral host to serve any user, including subscribers from partners. MulteFire also provides authentication flexibility by supporting both SIM-based and SIM-less authentication. This creates new opportunities to use high-performing LTE in unlicensed spectrum. #### SIM-based neutral host Using a SIM card for authentication with mobile network partners. #### SIM-less neutral host Serving any users, including subscribers from partners. #### Provider specific services Including enterprise services **Any combination of the above** ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/multifire-newutral-host-v3_0?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) ## Broadening the LTE ecosystem to new entities and places. The combination of enhanced performance and neutral host capability allows MulteFire to provide benefits in a wide range of places, both indoor and outdoor deployments, especially in those with dense deployments and high traffic loads where superior user experience is required. MulteFire opens up new possibilities for utilizing LTE in the unlicensed spectrum for existing and new entities. Examples of new entities: - Building/land owners: Venues, malls, hospitals, hotels, airports, parks and more - Internet service providers (ISPs): Cable, DSL and fiber companies - Enterprises: Office buildings, campuses, etc. - IT and Wi-Fi providers: Companies deploying wireless access in buildings, including Wi-Fi and distributed antenna systems (DAS) ## MulteFire offers benefits in multiple aspects #### Deployment **Simple deployment:** Self-contained lean architecture that leverages LTE self-organizing functionality **High performance:** Increased range to cover an area with fewer nodes, more capacity especially for dense deployments #### End user **Better user experience:** Higher average up-/down-load speeds in dense deployments and seamless mobility within a cluster provide a better overall experience, especially for voice and video. **Service continuity:** Service is maintained when moving in and out of a cluster (assuming neutral host with a mobile network partner). #### Business **Neutral host:** Enables establishment of new business models for new and existing entities. #### Roadmap **More features:** Leverages existing LTE functionality, e.g., VoLTE (voice) and LTE broadcast. **Future-proof:** MulteFire will stay aligned with LTE in 3GPP as it evolves towards the next generation. ## Videos Blog Posts - OnQ Blog [Wireless innovation — From LTE-U/LAA to 5G spectrum sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2018/03/lte-u-5g-spectrum-sharing) Mar 28, 2018 [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G) [Spectrum Sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Spectrum%20Sharing) - OnQ Blog [What can we do with 5G NR Spectrum Sharing that isn’t possible today?](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2018/01/what-can-we-do-5g-nr-spectrum-sharing-isnt-possible-today) Jan 2, 2018 [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G) [Spectrum Sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Spectrum%20Sharing) - OnQ Blog [Private LTE networks for industrial IoT – how spectrum sharing will expand the LTE ecosystem [video]](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2017/05/private-lte-networks-industrial-iot-how-spectrum-sharing-will-expand-lte) May 15, 2017 [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G) [Spectrum Sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Spectrum%20Sharing) [Private Networks](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Private%20Networks) - OnQ Blog [3GPP starts study on 5G NR spectrum sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2017/04/3gpp-starts-study-5g-nr-spectrum-sharing) Apr 25, 2017 [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G) [Spectrum Sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Spectrum%20Sharing) [Private Networks](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Private%20Networks) - OnQ Blog [MulteFire is ready for take-off [video]](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2017/01/multefire-ready-take) Jan 18, 2017 [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G) [Spectrum Sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Spectrum%20Sharing) [Private Networks](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Private%20Networks) - OnQ Blog [Introducing MulteFire: LTE-like performance with Wi-Fi-like simplicity](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2015/06/introducing-multefire-lte-performance-wi-fi-simplicity) Jun 10, 2015 [LTE](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=LTE) [Research](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Research) [3G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=3G)