HPUE High Power User Equipment is a special class of user equipment for the LTE cellular network that increases device transmission power by six times. This results in increases in range, coverage, uplink speeds and connectivity. The 3GPP international mobile broadband standards group has defined HPUE as Power Class 1.

HPUE has defined High Power User Equipment by the 3GPP international mobile broadband standards group as Power Class 1, which has +31 dBm power output (1.25 Watts) as opposed to the normal Power Class 3, which is + 23 dBm (200 mW). Just to confuse things, one of the domestic carriers implemented Power Class 2 (+26 dBm, 400 mW) on their highest frequency bands to make up for propagation losses, compared to their lower frequencies. They have called it High Performance User Equipment and is also using the abbreviation “HPUE”. Please do not mix the two!

LTE Band 14 is in the 700 MHz “sweet spot” of the LTE bands so it inherently has much better range and coverage than the higher frequency LTE bands. In addition, the use of HPUE has been shown in field tests to increase the range of standard Band 14 LTE signals by 80% and more than triple the coverage area of a base station. In addition, even at shorter distances, the reserve power provided by HPUE can optimize the signal to provide significant improvements in data speeds, especially in uplink speeds from the field. Uplink speeds are especially important to First Responders when streaming and/or uploading videos and other data-intensive communications from the field.

HPUE is only authorized in the US on LTE Band 14. This LTE band was reserved for First Responders and was assigned to FirstNet. AT&T was the successful contractor in the FirstNet bidding process and now has exclusive access to Band 14. They have given FirstNet users priority on this band.

Yes. HPUE capability can be especially useful for Enterprise users operating in fringe coverage areas, areas of poor coverage, or inside buildings. All AT&T customers can utilize this band, subject to priority and preemption for First Responders.

All customers can see benefits from HPUE, especially in optimizing uplink data speeds. However, the customers that will see the greatest benefit will be those that operate at the fringes of existing coverage or those that have previously been unable to connect outside of the normal coverage area. This also includes areas deep in buildings, basements, parking garages and other areas where coverage has been a problem.

HPUE is currently available for use in mobile and fixed devices. Assured Wireless Corp has released two products – the primary device is a small modem that can be conveniently plugged into existing routers, gateways and other devices requiring LTE wireless access. The other device is a small embedded module that can be incorporated into the design of routers, gateways and other devices requiring LTE wireless access as well as devices.

AT&T is the only carrier authorized to operate at the HPUE power level and that can be done only on LTE Band 14. The two Assured Wireless devices currently available provide HPUE capabilities on Band 14 also cover all other AT&T bands with standard output power.

No. Because of the very stringent international 3GPP specifications imposed on HPUE devices to prevent interference with other LTE and GPS devices, the design of an HPUE device requires a ground-up approach with very tight integration between the LTE chipset and the power amplifier stage. In fact, the Assured Wireless design includes custom hardware/software modifications to existing LTE chipset designs as well as a high-performance power amplifier and additional RF filtering.

Boosters only repeat noise and only transmit at low power. All they really do is move the antenna location to a different spot. HPUE uses a purer signal and transmits at high power.

Yes. The Assured Wireless HPUE products are fully certified and have gone through rigorous US and international testing such as the PTCRB. FCC. And AT&T FirstNet laboratories. They are listed on FirstNet.com and NIST as FirstNet approved devices.

Yes. The Assured Wireless devices are safe to use for mobile and fixed applications. In the example of a mobile installation with the antenna on the vehicle roof, the HPUE antenna will often share the roof with LMR antennas having 30 or more times the output power.

Yes. Assured Wireless’ HPUE is covered by several issued and pending patents. Assured Wireless is building the devices and is offering licensing agreements.