One of the key parts, as Qualcomm sees it, is small cell base stations in homes, offices and retail spaces working in tandem with the large cell towers that currently adorn so many roofs and mountain tops -- the same thing ex-FCC head honcho Julian Genachowski talked about last year.

ENGADGET

In tandem with the smartphone and tablet program, the Army also is testing gear that allows operators to deploy a makeshift cell network.

CNN: U.S. Army may soon equip troops with smartphones