Viodi View - Mobile IP Video

In this on-line publication, we share our analysis, opinions and direction on the interactive television news and views that we believe will be of interest and use to our friends associated directly or indirectly with independent telephone companies. For more information as to the various ways Viodi works with independent telephone companies, please go to http://www.viodi.com/alliance/

Disclaimer:

The Viodi View [Viodi, LLC] and its associates used their best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, the Viodi View [Viodi, LLC] does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.

All displayed trademarks, logos and service marks are the property of their respective owners. © 2005Viodi, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
5255 Stevens Creek, #127 Santa Clara, CA 95051

Viodi View Newsletter - May 17th, 2006

Indie Telco Local Content Workshop Advertisement

Mobile IP Video

Cisco Webinar: Evolution of mobile networks to IP NGN

ByAlan Weissberger, aweissberger@sbcglobal.net

On May 16th, Alan Weissberger participated in a Cisco hosted webinar presented by Larry Lang, VP and GM of Cisco's mobile wireless group, on the evolution of mobile networks to an IP Next Generation Network (IP NGN).

Background:

The increasing demand for voice/video/data services anytime anywhere over any access is accelerating the evolution of mobile networks to 3G and beyond. The competitive carrier environment further dictates that this is done with maximum cost efficiency. Cisco believes that an IP NGN enables mobile operators to confidently deploy and deliver more services and increase profitability today and in the future. This has become increasingly important as revenues from traditional circuit switched voice calls decrease and margins come under pressure due to increased competition and lower cost calls.

While the network backbone is already moving to an IP/MPLS core, new high speed (mobile) packet access technologies like EVDO, HSDPA, and WiMAX mobile (IEEE 802.16e) are emerging to create an IP end-to-end service scenario. This presents an opportunity to increase ARPU via innovative IP based services, but also presents a threat of eroding network control and the challenge of re-engineering the network away from circuit switched and towards IP.

Here are a few key data points/ take aways from the webinar:

IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS): offers flexibility to rapidly deploy new services, but requires implementation of many complex standards. Lang stated that "most mobile apps will be non-IMS based for a substantial portion of the future." Yet, IMS apps must be supported to ensure that non-IMS apps can evolve towards IMS and can be used together with them. IMS was compared to a reservation system at a restaurant in that it exerts a controlling influence on apps while having the appealing promise of flexible service deployment. Sprint-Nextel's 3G Push to Talk was cited as a successful IMS application.
Fixed-mobile convergence (FMC): despite talk about mobile networks converging with traditional fixed line networks, Lang described FMC as being all about making 3G cellular networks work with WiFi fixed networks (in the home or enterprise).
While not specifically mentioned, Cisco's view of FMC implies dual mode handsets that have both 3G and (VoIP over) WiFi capability. Jurisdictional and organizational boundaries may be more important then the technology in this case. For example, the mobile network operator controls the wide area access network, while the enterprise IT/MIS manager (or home network guru) controls the WiFi access within the premises. Does one have permission to use VoIP/WiFi phone when she is in a building, or must she continue to use traditional cell phone mode. What policies are chosen and how are they enforced?
Not addressed was how mobile WiMAX may play into this FMC scenario. Will we have triple mode phones in a few years: VoIP over WiFi for the home/ enterprise, Video and VoIP over mobile WiMAX while in the metro area (where WiMAX may be available), and 3G voice in the much broader regiional area
Several hundred mobile network operators have moved to a IP/MPLS Multi-Service Backbone, which Cisco described as "Building The Network Of Networks." Traffic is aggregated and then transported using one of several new technologies, including SS7 over IP. At some in the access network, 3G voice to XYZ over IP conversion is happening!
Message based billing may gain traction over pre-paid billing plans and result in more cost effective mobile networks. This will be especially important for mobile web access applications (like streaming voice and video). Spontaneous event based billling may fulfill this promise, but what should the operator charge for? Not likely to be call time or bytes transferred. Instead, it may make sense to bill per web paged browsed, assuming hidden complexities can be overcome (like having to click multiple times before you get the web page you really want).

Summary and Conclusions:

Growing array of new services must anticipate diverse access networks
Radio access networks (3G, WiMAX, mesh WiFi) are evolving faster, driven by data growth and Moore’s Law
Mobile internetworking (IP) will result in flexible access and service architecture
3G cellular (access) networks are internetworking with an IP/MPLS multi-service backbone (which is assumed to be the IP NGN).

Larry Lang is Vice President and General Manager of Cisco's Mobile Wireless Group and the Broadband Subscriber Applications Business Unit. His Mobile Wireless team develops leading network offerings for mobile wireless operators, including the Cisco Mobile Exchange framework comprising packet gateways for GSM, CDMA and 3G, next-generation signaling, and IP radio access networks. His Broadband Subscriber Applications team develops solutions for service providers in the areas of call control and SIP-based session control.

Previous Issue

Viodi View Subscribe

IP Video @ SC What You Missed

Listen to the audio for all of the presentations from the 40+ speakers at the IP Video @ Supercomm conference. This CD-ROM includes the indexed presentations. Click here to see the contents. Contact Sean Sullivan of USTA at 202 326 7260 to purchase this CD.

Independent Local Content- Click Here to Learn More

Network PVRs Are Desired, But Operators Have Doubts

Click Here to Get the Report