BWA Operator Options

Evolution of mobile cellular Evolution of WiFi (IEEE 802

communication technology Standard) to offer broadband
(2G/3G) towards a full end to over a larger area
end broadband IP Network

LTE stands for Long Term WiMAX stands for Worldwide

Evolution Interoperability for Microwave
Access
Few Details on Standards

Multiband supported (700Mhz, 850, Multiband supported (2.3Ghz, 2.5Ghz,

900Mhz, 2100Mhz, 2.3Ghz etc.) 3.5Ghz)

Multi channel support for flexible use Multi channel support for flexible use
of spectrum (1.4 to 20Mhz) of spectrum (3, 5, 7, 8.75 & 10Mhz)

FDD and TDD available. TDD Only TDD commercially available.

standards yet to be finalized. (2010) FDD is also supported

LTE Advanced is the next version to WiMAX 16m is the next version to be
be finalized in 2012 finalized in 2011
 Here’s what we know

All 4G networks are IP based and promise much higher

throughputs upto 100 times of what 3G can offer

So why two technologies for 4G ? What is the difference ?

• WiMAX is propagated by the Computing industry; Intel,

Samsung, Cisco etc. have been wanting to enter into the telecom
markets. found great acceptance amongst newer operators

• LTE is the next standard to 3G, developed by the 3GPP and

backed by all the well known OEMs Ericsson, NSN, Alcatel etc. a
natural choice for cellular operators
 What is the wish list for a 4G IP technology

• Higher throughputs

• Low latency for real time applications

• Best use of the spectrum

•Mobility

• End to End Quality of Service

High speed Low

Mobility
Data Latency
 How do LTE & WiMAX Compare
High speed
Data

Advanced Antenna techniques & OFDM technologyallow high throughputs and both
WiMAX &LTE utilize both the technologies.

Lower cost per Mbps, by effectively make use of the spectrum.(WiMAX has >3.6 bps/Hz
and LTE > 5bps/Hz; v/s 3G = 0.5 bps/Hz)

MIMO are smart antennas that increase the throughputs by multiplexing and
diversity. Also providing better cell edge coverage. MIMO are mandatory for LTE
implementation.(WiMAX has been implemented using simple planer antennas : MIMO antennas much more
expensive as compared to 2G/3G antennas )

WiMAX can support upto 70 Mbps with a 10Mhz channel while LTE performs better
providing a throughput of 150 Mbps with a 20Mhz channel. (WiMAX equipments that are
commercially available donotsupport the use of complete 10Mhz channel: Best use of the 20MHz BWA is
through LTE)

LTE standard require fewer pilot carrier & low overheads to give an optimized
throughput.
 How do LTE & WiMAX Compare
Low
Latency

Latency is the delay in carrying the information, and this is a major
concern in any IP technology offering Voice & Video services.

The concept of Quality of Service QoS is well adapted in the
standards of both LTE & WiMAX (also HSPA)

Latency in LTE is 10ms

Latency in WiMAX is 50ms

The low latency in LTE is attributed to 3 factors: (1) No middle nodes

such as BSC/RNC/ASNGw (2) Better scheduling mechanisms (3) IP
MPLS backbone

Advantage: Superior user experience in real-time high bandwidth
applications such as online gaming and video conferencing
 How do LTE & WiMAX Compare

Mobility

LTE and WiMAX (16e) both offer mobility

LTE is proven to be better than WiMAX for mobility, especially at high
speeds.

WiMAX has issues in handover if the vehicle is over 60kmph (tested)

What is the reason ?LTE has a wider sub-channel spacing of 15khz.

This protects the information from RF phenomena such as Doppler

effect etc. (Doppler effects change the frequency and time aspects of the information and it becomes
difficult to decode the information at the user end.)
OPERATOR’s CONCERNS

Backward
Core Backhaul
Compatibility
Network Network
with GSM/3G

Infrastructure
Roaming User Devices
Requirement
 Core Network

 For BWA operators the LTE  New core network for BWA
core will be new. (however if a cellular operators
operator decides to implement HSPA, then
LTE network will be a partial upgrade to it)
 No support for legacy networks
Core network elements support
 Core network is open
legacy systems (GSM, UMTS)
architecture (similar to an ISP
data center)
 Protocols & nodes similar to
UMTS
 Backhaul Network

 New Backhaul network required to support the high data throughputs

 Cannot run on the existing TDM/ATM backhaul networks

 Candidates for backhaul are Ethernet over SDH on microwave or fiber

and MPLS transport
 Backward Compatibility with GSM/3G

 Evolution of the 3GPP  New Standard, not compatible

standards; designed to support with any of the legacy networks
GSM and 3G
 No handover possible to 2G or
 Inter Radio Technology 3G networks
handover possible
i.e. User can handover from LTE
network to 3G network seamlessly

 Will support CDMA networks as

well.
 Infrastructure Requirement

 New Base Stations and antennas  New Base Station and antenna
(some newer 3G base stations can be systems
upgraded to LTE)

 Power and Space requirements the same as UMTS/WiMAX

 Modular Base Stations (indoor, outdoor, macro, micro) available

Femto cells for LTE under development

 Roaming

 Core network designed to  Core network supports

support roaming between LTE roaming, but not with legacy
networks also other legacy networks
networks
 WiMAX has 3 bands certified
 No roaming license yet for 2.3Ghz, 2.5Ghz and 3.5Ghz. But
LTE(TeliaSoneraonly commercial LTE-FDD roaming not implemented yet.
network)

 Multi-band & multi channel

support pose a big hurdle for LTE
roaming !
 No standardization of frequency
bands for LTE FDD or TDD
networks.
 User Devices

 Low power required by user  Unlike LTE no advantage available

devices. Better battery performance for WiMAX CPEs
suited to mobile devices.
(use of SC-FDMA helps low the power  Only USB dongles, Fixes CPE
consumption in the UE) popular

 Since supported by Nokia,  Currently only a few major players

Ericsson, Huawei, Alcatel etc., users releasing user equipments for that
can expect many more choices for support WiMAX (eg. HTC, Samsung)
user equipments

 Multi technology handsets (3G-LTE,

2G-LTE etc.)