Broadband strategy

8th SEEITA – 7th SEE ICT Forum Meeting & 7th MASIT Open Days Conference14-15 October 2010, Ohrid www.seeita.org

Mobile Broadband Strategy, T-Mobile Macedonia’s perspective

Viktor Nastev

NT Development & Strategy Director, TMMK


Mobile Broadband; WHY ???New services, new applications, new clients, new networking technologies andnew forms of communication, such as peer-to-peer, and media/content-to-person are key drivers for implementation of Mobile broadband.

Data utilization is quickly increasing on smartphones and laptops. In addition,newer mobile devices such as Mobile Internet Devices and mobile consumerelectronics devices are starting to appear, which further drive up data traffic onmobile wireless networks.

Mobile broadband network technology has many aspects, e.g. users, politics,regulations, financing, and there are many parties involved, e.g. operators,network builders, IT developers, device makers.

In such a complex case, it is pragmatic to assume that in the coming 5 to 10years there will be a need for a number of mobile broadband services, and thatit is necessary to start specifying and building the network technology that willenable and exploit these services.


– T–Mobile recognized the need of mobile data and started to build itsmobile data core network.

– Mobile Data services in T-Mobile network were implemented in 2003, asbasic R99 GPRS implementation. At that time CS1 and CS2 codingschemes were introduced enabling data speeds of 35 – 50 kbps DLand 20 – 25 kbps UL.

– Recognizing the need for greater data throughput and lower latency T-Mobile started implementing EDGE in its 2G network from 2005 and isconstantly increasing its EDGE capable BTS’s in order to enable as widerEDGE coverage as possible. Implementation of EDGE in GSM networkrequires replacement of old with new HW in BTS and by using 8PSKmodulation offers speeds of 100 – 200 kbps in DL and 50 – 100 kbpsin UL.

Mobile DATA Services “T-Mobile MK perspective”


– Recognizing the need for mobile broadband T- Mobile MK startedsearching for adequate solution.

– In parallel with implementing of EDGE in the T-Mobile network, processfor finding of suitable wireless broadband technology has started. Severaltrial tests with WiMAX technology were conducted during 2005 andseveral other broadband alternatives were analyzed in order to acquireand offer best broadband technology that can serve costumers needs.

– As a normal evolution step from GSM/EDGE towards broadband servicesWCDMA as a leading technology has been chosen.

Mobile DATA Services “T-Mobile MK perspective”


Mobile DATA Services “T-Mobile MK perspective”– Considering the acquisition of 3G (WCDMA) frequencies T-Mobile started

building its 3G network in order to provide as wider 3G coverage aspossible and as much capacity as possible, not just to cover the licenserequirements but to offer good quality and 3G signal to all of itscostumers.

– Implementation of 3G wireless technology is not solely related to newRADIO implementation, never the less it needs consolidation in operatorscore network and transmission network as well.

– Considering the fact that in 2009 speaking of 3G network that hasalready reached its maturity and having in mind the volume of traffic anddata speed demanded by mobile subscribers pushed T-Mobile to startimmediately with implementation of (3.5G) network with HSPA support of7,2 Mbps DL and 2.0 Mbps UL which will be followed in short time byupgrade to speeds of 14.4 Mbps DL and 5,8 Mbps UL.


– Implementation of new radio technology (WCDMA) in context of 3Gnetwork needs changes in the providers core network as well. First stepin this change is moving from monolithic architecture towards splitarchitecture in Circuit Switch core. Example of 3GPP release 4architecture is presented on the picture bellow.

UMTS Evolution in larger context


– Increasing the speed of always ‚hungry for bandwidth‛ applications playedby the end user, must be followed by reducing the latency of data traffic,especially if service provider aims to introduce first class real timeservices. Providing appropriate packet architecture that can cope with thisrequirements is in constant scope of interest of 3GPP.

– Changes in radio access technologies in order to provide space for graterbandwidth and lower latency are usually followed by changes in the corearchitecture, as well as in transport network. Considering the fact that IPis playing major role in communication industry especially having in mindthat all network based services and application are IP based itsintroducing in UTMS networks from end to end (from terminal toterminal thru core network) is crucial for providing needed service quality.

UMTS Evolution in larger context


Mobile broadband impact on Packet Core Network

GGSN

SGSN

Drift RNC

Node B

Layer 3

Today Direct tunnel

I-HSPA+Direct tunnel

SAE GW

MME

EnhancedNode B

SAE/LTE

IP

IP

IP IP

3GPP/WCDMA Evolution


Mobile Broadband impact on Transmission Network

Node B

RNCATM IMA over n*E1

E1 Based Transport

RNC

FE

GE

NodeB

E1 E1PDH / SDH

Metro E / DSL over MPLS

Split Architecture: -R99 Traffic over E1-HSPA Traffic over xDSL/Metro Ethernet

RNCNodeB

FE GEMetro E/DSL over MPLS

All IP - Architecture


What is LTE ???– Long Term Evolution (LTE) describes standardization work by the Third

Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to define a new high-speed radioaccess method for mobile communications systems.

– LTE is the next step on a clearly-charted roadmap to so-called ‘4G’mobile systems that starts with today’s 2G and 3G networks. Building onthe technical foundations of the 3GPP family of cellular systems thatembraces GSM, GPRS and EDGE as well as WCDMA and now HSPA(High Speed Packet Access), LTE offers a smooth evolutionary path tohigher speeds and lower latency.

Choice of upgrade path


What is LTE ???– In parallel with its advanced new radio interface, realizing the full potential

of LTE requires an evolution from today’s hybrid packet/circuit switchednetworks to a simplified, all-IP (Internet Protocol) environment. From anoperator’s point of view, the pay-off is reduced delivery costs for rich,blended applications combining voice, video and data services plussimplified interworking with other fixed and wireless networks.

– By creating new value-added service possibilities, LTE promises long-termrevenue stability and growth for around two hundred mobile operators thatare already firmly committed to the UMTS/HSPA family of 3G systems.Just as importantly, it provides a powerful tool to attract customers whoare provided with an increasing number of technology options forbroadband connectivity on the move.

– Based on the UMTS/HSPA family of standards, LTE will enhance thecapabilities of current cellular network technologies to satisfy the needs ofa highly demanding customer accustomed to fixed broadband services. Assuch, it unifies the voice-oriented environment of today’s mobile networkswith the data-centric service possibilities of the fixed Internet.


LTE Key Features– From a technical point of view, a fundamental objective of the LTE project is to

offer higher data speeds, for both down- and uplink transmission. Apart fromthis increase in raw data rates, LTE is characterized by reduced packet latency;the restriction that determines the responsiveness of gaming, VoIP,videoconferencing and other real-time services.

– From an operator’s perspective, the flexible channel bandwidths and harmonizedFDD/TDD modes of LTE provide a more efficient use of carriers’ existing andfuture spectrum resources. LTE also provides a more robust platform foroperators to offer compelling value-added services in the mobile domain.

– High spectral efficiency: LTE’s greater spectral efficiency allows operators tosupport increased numbers of customers within their existing and future spectrumallocations, with a reduced cost of delivery per bit.

– Flexible radio planning: LTE can deliver optimum performance in a cell size ofup to 5 km. It is still capable of delivering effective performance in cell sizes ofup to 30 km radius, with more limited performance available in cell sizes up to100 km radius.


LTE Key Features

– Reduced latency: By reducing round-trip times to 10ms or even less(compared with 40–50ms for HSPA), LTE delivers a more responsive userexperience. This permits interactive, real-time services such as high-qualityaudio/videoconferencing and multi-player gaming.

– An all-IP environment: One of the most significant features of LTE is its transition toa ‘flat’, all-IP based core network with a simplified architecture and open interfaces.Indeed, much of 3GPP’s standardization work targets the conversion of existing corenetwork architecture to an all-IP system. Within 3GPP, this initiative has beenreferred to as Systems Architecture Evolution (SAE)

– Spectral Flexibility Means Wider Deployment Options


LTE Time Scale – A number of companies have already demonstrated various elements at public

events. With 3GPP Release 8 now being consolidated, many industry playersand observers anticipate the commercial launch of the first LTE networks andterminal devices in 2010. Several operators have already started the commercialLTE networks with few operators planning to start commercial 4G networks inthe next months.

– There is widespread industry consensus that operator’s revenues from LTE willgradually replace those generated by WCDMA and HSPA. By way of example, astudy by ABI Research suggests that LTE will dominate the world's mobileinfrastructure markets after 2011.


Challenges facing the Mobile Broadband Strategy

– Price of spectrum and licensees

– Spectrum reframing (Possibility to offer different radio technology on thespectrum defined for certain technology)

– Change in Transmission backhaul, introducing all-IP concept increasing thebandwidth

– Site acquisitions – Procedures, Legal issues, Permits for conducting ofcivil work etc.

– Need for Public – Private partnership with the Government in order tomove forward and offer broadband to every customers in Macedonia

Technology

Broadband strategy