 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
ARTICLE
By Robert Syputa, Senior Analyst
One recent topic of discussion is how much WiMAX and 3G-LTE will converge and how much they will compete. Both are based on increasingly similar sets of technologies. As capabilities to deliver higher bandwidth and higher mobility evolve, both have increasing overlap in markets. Looking at the technology roadmaps, we see WiMAXm, IEEE 802.16m, adopting many similar technologies as LTE. Conversely, LTE is being developed as a more universal broadband and mobile system that will use much of the same technology in 802.16e and likely for 802.16m. And despite some differences, there is increasing overlap such as in advanced methods of MIMO-AAS and adaptive modulation. With IPR contributions into both efforts often originating from the same companies, the IPR increasingly is shared as well. This shifts the differences more towards time-to-market and other business issues such as the effectiveness of development ecosystems in supporting particular markets. The IPR issue remains up in the air but as the systems draw together, the way IPR regimens play out also can be expected to draw closer. WiMAX starts out with an objective and structure of providing more open access to technology. And WiMAX will benefit from evolution of legal opinions that hold the FRAND policies of standards-based developments to be worthwhile and enforceable. But despite a tumultuous history, 3G-LTE also benefits from a legal environment that has recognized the need for cooperation in interdependent fields of development. 3GPP-LTE and NGMN organizations also have taken steps to establish reasonable IPR regimens on the front end of the development process, which should also help reduce contention despite a history of IPR disputes among some participants. In large measure, LTE is responding to the huge WiMAX ecosystem as a threat to control of the wireless mobile industry and is adjusting the technology, IPR regimen, and market direction. This proposes to counter some of the benefits of WiMAX, namely, low barriers to entry including low IPR costs and risk, adopting a similar broad framework approach to system technology, and its claims to similarly support open access of devices, applications, and content. WiMAX has been driven to become more mobile and therefore more universal in its approach. Coming from the data-centric orientation, WiMAX similarly is headed on a roadmap to deliver unified communications. Operators Want Choice of Solutions Driving the development of both WiMAX and LTE are the needs of various segments of operators and deployment models. What is common between them is that they do not care as much about whether the solution is WiMAX or LTE, but that it be based on standards that are well supported by a large ecosystem and are headed down an acceptable evolutionary path. Let’s take a look at Sprint as an example because it has 90 MHz of spectrum that could be used for either WiMAX or LTE and is starting deployments of WiMAX. At the time Sprint made the decision to deploy a WiMAX network, those pursuing 3GPP/3GPP2 efforts were reluctant to pull OFDM efforts from the back burner of development projects. Debates were taking place about how 3G would confront a future in which it made sense to leap from walled-garden access control and incumbent network architectures to a flat, all-IP architecture similar to WiMAX and the Internet. Once Sprint had to make its move in selecting WiMAX, the now obvious choice, the 3G industry woke up. But no decision in choice of wireless systems is cast in stone. Now that major industry players, including Nokia, Ericsson, and companies with more mixed opinions about WiMAX vs. LTE use as a mobile network, have pushed actively into development of LTE, the choices have opened up for Sprint to consider LTE as well as WiMAX for future deployments. We expect Sprint to monitor development of both WiMAX and LTE and likely to deploy LTE as well as continue deployment of WiMAX. This decision may become less important in the future through common device support and, remote but still conceivable, commonality between core developments. Already, WiMAX and LTE are drawing close together in high-level implementations. How Will WiMAX and LTE Converge? WiMAX and LTE will converge on several levels. First, these and other wireless networks will converge in handsets, laptops, and other devices on a service level for users through multi-mode device integration. WiMAX and LTE convergence through multi-mode promises to be much simpler and effective and will support more seamless handoff of sessions than can easily or cost effectively be accomplished between either WiMAX or LTE and non-IP based networks. Owing to similar architecture and common gateways, these systems will have very much in common to enable IPTV, VoIP, and other IP/SIP communications to occur relatively harmoniously even though handoff between networks, barring the unlikely event that core link compatibility is agreed upon, will occur. The wired network infrastructure will be mostly common between systems and element management OS, back-office accounting, and billing. Other functions will also be common (operator dependent). Development Efforts Converge The internal efforts within companies developing for WiMAX and LTE are being done on the same or very similar platforms. Nortel, Alcatel, Alvarion, and Motorola have all moved from Nokia’s Flexi to software-defined radio platforms that they say will support both WiMAX and LTE development. Engineers at Nokia, Nortel, and Alcatel have informed us that the systems have over 90% in common and are being modularly designed to be flexible, be upgradeable, and take advantage of the commonality between applications and systems. Much of the differences are in core link technologies that although similar, vary in details of implementation. And RF differences more often occur between applications of specific spectrum than due to differences between WiMAX and LTE. While <10% difference makes these systems non-interoperable, the development and production costs can be amortized between common areas. On the chip device level, there is growing support among vendors for both WiMAX and LTE. This helps reduce overall costs to support both systems based on common development platform learning curves, common core modules, and ability to amortize some costs over common aggregate volumes. There is a “Clash of the Titans" for control of huge markets for converged and new types of products and services. But the common goals, common technologies, pressure to reduce development expenses, and need to reach new markets is driving convergence of development efforts. And the common needs and aspirations of standards-setting organizations and customers are relentlessly driving WiMAX and LTE together to similar roadmaps for development and to serve increasingly universal markets. Will Intel Support LTE? Intel, while being a staunch supporter of WiMAX, has also strongly thrown support consistently behind open systems and networks including WiMAX. Intel supports the goals of several common efforts including NGMN, ETSI, and ITU. And Intel strongly advocates “technology agnosticism” for regulators and device and system developments. The overall mantra of Intel has been to let the best man (technology) win in the market for ideas and products. Intel supports IEEE 802.11, GSM, and other wireless communications technologies currently in laptops and embedded devices. It is entirely possible that Intel will support LTE as well, provided that two conditions are met: (1) the market demands LTE be included in data-centric applications such as UMPCs, PDAs, and laptops, and (2) the IPR barriers and costs for incorporating LTE are reasonable. Since LTE must meet the needs of the overall market for competitive cost structure, it is reasonable to suggest that Intel will include LTE at a point when it becomes available and in demand. Ultimately, this results in new devices and experiences for users that will have much more in common whether delivered over a WiMAX or LTE network. Within the differences of implementations and how these 4G networks go to market, are pivotal differences upon which customers will make purchasing decisions that determine the future of the wireless industry. A major purpose for shifting to flat IP is to enable open development of systems, applications and content, not to divide religious camps of developers. In short, convergence is happening and will continue.
For more information you can contact the author. robert@maravedis-bwa.com
|
|
|
|
|||
| Created by: Virage>2.0 |
