FLEX - FIRE LTE testbeds for open EXperimentation

Objective: Open access to new generation infrastructures exclusively dedicated to research, development and innovation.

COSMOTE is participating in the FLEX research project (www.flex-project.eu) which aims at developing a truly open and highly configurable experimental 4G/LTE platform, fully integrated with existing FIRE infrastructure, that will be accessible by both the research community and industry. The platform combines network hardware and software while providing the necessary tools for conducting sophisticated experiments, testing innovative services and/or providing functionality extensions of the current testbed infrastructure. The experimental platform is already being utilized by 15 research groups from various European countries selected through two open calls organized as part of the project.

COSMOTE is helping design and develop a set of applications/tools to ensure the smooth handover between heterogeneous wireless networks (e.g. from LTE to WiFi) and the user quality of experience (coverage, latency, maximum download/upload bitrates, etc.) in order to support the experiments. In addition, COSMOTE is providing consultancy services and know-how regarding the integration of new techniques and processes into the 4G/LTE testbed.

The FLEX project receives co-funding from the EU through the 7^th Framework Program and is being implemented by 8 partners from 6 countries (Greece, Belgium, the United Kingdom, France, the USA, Australia) over a 3-year period (1/2014-12/2016 plus 4 months of extension).