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Viodi View Newsletter - December 7th, 2005

Click here to learn more about Viodi's Local Content Workshop

WiMAX Related Sessions at TELECOM 05 - Part 2

By Alan J Weissberger, aweissberger@sbcglobal.net

[Note, the first part of this article may be found by clicking here.]

Quick links to the summaries of the various presentations found in this article are as follows:

A. Pradeep Samudra of Samsung Telecom

B. Margaret LaBrecque of Intel

C. Mike Seymour of Alcatel

D. Ali Tabassi of SPRINT –Nextel

E. Mick Reeve of BT

F. Aamir Hussain of Qwest

Presentations may be downloaded from:

http://www.atis.org/standardsdeliver/docs/WiMAX

A. Pradeep Samudra of Samsung Telecom moderated this panel session. His issue list set the tone for the discussions that followed:

Why WiMAX? Why Now?

• -Status: Hype or Reality?
• Application: Niche or Widespread? (Where) Does It Fit?
• Technology: Disruptive, Evolutionary or Interesting? Complimentary or Replacement or Displacement
• Infrastructure: Fixed, Mobile or Nomadic?
• Profitability: Backhaul, Hot Zones or Access? Portable or Mobile?
• Location: Rural or Urban?

What is the Business Case?

• - What are the Cost Models for CPE and Base Stations? Cost to Build? Cost to Use?
• What is the Competition?
• What are the Strengths? Weaknesses?
• Owners: Incumbents or Startups? Cellular or Wireline? ILECs, CLECs, DLECs, RLECs or MVNOs?

Where are the Standards?

• Are They Complete? Interop Challenges?
• Spectrum: Licensed or Unlicensed?
• What is the Level of Maturity/Readiness for Prime Time? “From Lab to Field”?
• What Speeds? What Value?

B. Margaret LaBrecque, past WiMAX forum chair, provided Intel’s perspective on WiMAX:
It’s part of a “personal broadband” vision, in which multiple devices can be connected wherever they are located, to the best available network (this concept is similar to the It’s Next Generation Network (NGN) philosophy). Intel believes that mobile broadband will drive the demand for higher processing power in this decade. WiMAX allows network operators to trade off range, throughput, and mobility so is a good technology to use for mobile broadband.

There are now 332 members of the WiMAX forum. Most are service providers, with many of those serving rural areas where fixed broadband access is otherwise unavailable. The growth of the forum and the increasing number of telcos that are participating shows the industry has reached critical mass, according to Margaret.

A key point in favor of mobile WiMAX over 3G/4G technologies is the evolution from OFDM (WiFi) to OFDMA (used in IEEE 802.16e - mobile WiMAX). OFDMA provides better spectral efficiencies than many of the 3G data technologies and incorporates advances in antenna arrays and MIMO techniques. Margaret stated that wireless technologies are evolving to OFDMA, which is an ideal foundation for delivering cost-effective 4G services.
Other conclusions:

• WiMAX industry momentum continues to rapidly grow
• WiMAX is REAL and being deployed worldwide, with 100’s of IEEE 802.16 trials under way between 2005 and 2007
• WiMAX is a global standard developed by 100’s of companies over many years in IEEE 802.16. Implementing an open standard provides economies of scale and lower CAPEX and OPEX costs.
• As a result of standardization, no single company (today) has a disproportionate amount of intellectual property rights (vs Qualcomm owning the patents on CDMA technology)
• Spectrum by Region: Targeted 2005-’08 WiMAX Deployment Bands
  • USA: 2.5 & 5.8 GHz
  • Central & So America: 2.5, 3.5 & 5.8 GHz
  • EUROPE: 3.5 & 5.8 GHz, Possible: 2.5 GHz
  • MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA: 2.5, 3.5 & 5.8 GHz
  • ASIA PACIFIC: 2.3, 2.5, 3.3, 3.5 & 5.8 GHz
  • CANADA: 2.3, 2.5, 3.5 & 5.8 GHz
  • RUSSIA: 3.5 & 5.8 GHz, Possible: 2.5 GHz
  • Source: Intel/Broadband Wireless Group
    Intel Radio Coverage (licensed): 2.3-2.7, 3.3-3.8 GHz
    Intel Radio Coverage (unlicensed): 5.25-5.85 GHz

C. Mike Seymour of Alcatel on IEEE 802.16e and a Seamless Broadband Experience
Alcatel believes that IEEE 802.16e mobile WiMAX will create a new mass market for broadband access, particularly in developing countries. In particular, it will be used to: deliver optimized $/Mbytes, for new breed of applications, for mobile triple play, and to provide IP based mobility for multiple bundled applications.

Mike believes that IEEE 802.16e will provide opportunities for “Adaptive antennas” with Beam Forming which will provide several broadband wireless system benefits:

• -Coverage improvement (system gain)
• Means for interference Mitigation
• Increased capacity

He predicts that the 802.16e technology will be integrated into PCMIA cards, laptops, PDAs and then smart cell phones during the 2007-2008 time period.

D. Ali Tabassi of SPRINT –Nextel spoke briefly on Next Generation Mobile Wireless Broadband. SPRINT- NEXTEL’s main initiative in mobile wireless broadband is EVDO, which is currently available nationwide. However, the carrier is evaluating several Next Generation Wireless Broadband technologies, including: MCDO, f-OFDM, WiMax, UMTS/WCDMA (TD-CDMA, HSPA, 3G LTE). No decisions have been made yet about these.

E. Mick Reeve of BT observed that wireless carriers are already committing to fixed WiMAX in key markets. So the real question was “whether or not Carriers will take the leap on Mobile WiMAX?”

What is the Market Demand for Mobile Broadband?

• The market for mobile broadband services is slowly evolving
  • Streamed audio and video, Faster email and Internet access, Video calling
• Current mobile technologies cannot deliver either peak or average bandwidth requirements economically
• Next Generation Networks (NGNs) will allow multiple access technologies to deliver a common service set: Always get best connected network- wireless or wireline.

Mick opined that 802.16e WiMAX has a niche to deliver high bandwidth mobility services to targeted areas. He distinguished it as a metro area technology vs wide area coverage 3G/4G technologies such as: Mobile Broadcast, HSDPA, WCDMA, GPRS, and GSM.

Where does WiMAX Fit?

• BT expects multiple access technologies to be suitable for wireless broadband
• Many potential applications for wireless technology
  • Fixed wireless access in rural areas (AKA wireless DSL or DSL fill-in)
  • Nomadic wireless services (‘super hotspots’)
  • Targeted metro area coverage
• Standards based architecture allows the NGN to efficiently integrate a wide range of technology options and Wireless has the potential to become a key part of the NGN
• Several technology options exist:
  • Enhanced 3G, proprietary technology vsWiMAX
• WiMAX seen as most promising of these, but it still has risks…
  Mick stated that “OFDM is the Future.” [No mention of OFDMA, which is used in mobile WiMAX]
• Regardless of specific technology, many mobile standards working towards OFDM (Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Qualcomm MediaFLO, 3G Long Term Evolution?). It is the best technology for broadband mobility with high bandwidth channels. Consequently, WiMAX gives operators ‘first mover advantage’

One important advantage of mobile WiMAX is use of 10MHZ channels, vs 5MHZ for HSDPA and only 1.5MHZ for EVDO. Mick observed that wider channels enable a better broadband experience. In particular, lower capacity channels are worse at statistical multiplexing and the user experience worsens far quicker with channel loading.

Mobile WiMAX pricing will be between WiFi and 3G, depending on the level of mobility provided. WiMAX critical issues include: Terminal and Devices, Standards, Roaming, Content and Ease of Use, Business Models, and Spectrum (licensed and unlicensed).

BT’s Conclusions:

• WiMAX has a strong part to play in the future
  • WiMAX is designed to deliver mobile broadband
  • Lower cost for the delivery of true broadband
  • What the mobile market needs to move beyond ring tones and text messages?
• WiMAX will allow:
  • New entrants to create differentiated service offerings in established markets
  • Fixed operators to complement existing broadband (taking broadband out and about)
  • Mobile operators to make mobile services truly broadband in targeted areas
• WiMAX is complementary to other fixed, nomadic and mobile technologies

F. Aamir Hussain of Qwest on real life experience with pre-standard fixed WiMAX gear
This was the most pragmatic talk of the session, carefully balancing the advantages and disadvantages of the WiMAX technology. Aamir listed the Carrier Considerations for WiMAX deployment, stating that carriers will welcome the promise of WiMAX only when:

1. The cost curves are attractive

• Sub $2K Base Stations (per sector) by year end 2006
• Sub $100 CPE by YE 07 (with 802.16e)
• Carriers welcome promise of low cost CPE for consumer markets

2. A carrier grade service can be offered

• Enhanced focus on Performance, conformance testing through WiMAX forum
• Trends are for increased bandwidth. However the solution needs to be efficient from a
  carrier’s operational perspective.

3. Interoperable, standards based equipment is available

• Pre-standard solutions since mid 04
• 3.5GHz and 5.8GHz WiMAX solutions emerging
• Pros and cons of licensed vs. unlicensed play needs to be understood
  Carrier High-Level WiMAX Strategy should include:
• Point-to-Point applications initially to prime the pump for
  development of cost effective Point-to-Multipoint Opportunities
• Push development of CPE towards the Consumer Electronics market similar
  to WiFi – drives cost curve down
• Create partnership or acquire licensed spectrum
• Concentrate on a few winning applications:
  • Point-to-Point Backhaul
    • DSLAM backhaul bandwidth relief – bridge the gap between copper and fiber bandwidth
    • Extend bandwidth from fiber rings to business customers
    • Quick start IOF solution
  • Point-to-Multipoint Access for DSL fill-in
    • Phase 1 Outdoor antennas
    • Phase 2 First wall penetration
      • Portable DSL
      • Potential DSL replacement
• Spectrum Considerations
  • Licensed spectrum preferred to better manage SLAs
  • 2.5 GHz MMDS/ITFS being considered by Sprint/Nextel, Clearwire, Bell South, and others.
  • Cell coverage may not be contiguous
  • 3.5 GHz world-wide allocation, FCC considering light licensing in 3.65-3.7 GHz
  • Unlicensed spectrum at 5.8 GHz, but line-of-sight required. This may be OK for a rural play.
  • Licensed spectrum at 700 MHz with partnerships (with spectrum holders)
  • Other spectrum auctions and partnerships
• Challenges include:
  • Ensure that the product is differentiated enough to draw a demand
  • Timing – EVDO price point finally coming down
  • Cost of Deployment
  • High CPE cost – at least in the beginning
  • High roll over cost
    • Spectral Considerations
    • Unlike DSL, no fixed loop qualification
  • Reach & rates vary greatly for customer qualification
  • Operation integration, NEBS, OSMINE compliance

Summary

• Market is moving towards broadband wireless solutions
• WiMAX is one of many wireless technologies
• Timing is everything- viable solutions must appear within next year
• WiMAX has significant potential if it is cost effective
• Opportunities include both point-to-point and point-to multipoint applications
• Technology trials underway, preliminary results encouraging, but interoperable equipment needed
• Frequency spectrum- licensed and unlicensed is a key issue

Alan Weissberger is looking for funding to pursue research and technology assessment in the following subjects:

• IEEE 802.11n - for local distribution of video and multimedia content
• Progression of mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e) as a potential 4G and nomadic PC technology- including VoIP and video as well as Internet access
• Wireless network co-existance and assurance (especially important for unlicensed bands)- IEEE 802.19, 802.16 license exempt TG, 802.22 WRAN- impact of cognitive radios
• Wireless/Wireline convergence and integration via IP Multimedia System (IMS) control plane

Please contact him at aweissberger@sbcglobal.net or phone 408 863-6042

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IP Video Tracks at TELECOM 05

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CD-ROM Contents

Sunday, October 23rd

• On Demand Success Stories
• The Consumer as Producer

Monday, October 24th

• Standardize This! Can’t we work it out?
• Interactive TV: Is it IPTV’s Edge?
• Look Ma, No Headend

Tuesday, October 25th

• Next Generation Peer to Peer – Where do Telco’s fit?
  
• High Definition – A Must Have or a Must-Carry?

Wednesday, Oct. 26th

• Content Differentiation – What’s an operator to do?