http://www.technologyreview.com/news/530996/future-smartphones-wont-need-cell-towers-to-connect/
I found this article to be a bit confusing and maybe it is because I have not heard of this technology really coming through other than what I refer to as "location services" on my iPhone. This article is from September of 2014 which now in early 2017 smart phones have changed and advanced but not necessarily in this form. The idea of not needing a cell tower to connect to other devices and devices that are up to 500 meters away seems like old technology with the capability to airdrop, cookies on web browsers that guides what ads you receive and the ability to share data between devices.
The article discusses the use of LTE Direct to allow users to connect directly to other devices that are further distances away. It also is advertised to use very little power while searching constantly. I can see many advantages to this and as stated in the article it would be a great way to promote businesses and advertise things that are around you. There were some businesses such as Facebook that were brought into this technology. I felt like it is similar to what we now know as cookies on a web browser and I get ads on Facebook based on product searches I have recently done. This LTE Direct capability was supposed to help free up cell towers by smoothing out glitches due to jammed signal because of the number of users trying to connect all at one time. LTE Direct would offer extended range and performance for users. It also uses the same frequency/ wavelength as traditional cell signals.
Like most new technology,it will take time for the creators of LTE Direct to enable cell phone users to be less dependent on cell towers. Their goal is provide cell phone users the ability to use licensed spectrum bands to detect other devices similarly enabled without routing through cell towers. Hopefully this method will help smooth out network problems that occur when a large number of users are trying to connect to the same cell tower in densely populated areas. While attending an Auburn game this season, I was at Toomer's Corner trying to reach a high school friend with my cell phone to meet up. There were so many people in the area trying to connect using the same cell tower we weren't able to make the connection. :(
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