Disqus
According to the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), 26 network operators have commited to deploy 3GPP LTE systems.
The current status of LTE worldwide is presented in an update of the GSA Information Paper – Evolution to LTE, published on March 4th, 2009.
The Evolution to LTE paper contains concise information about the business drivers, objectives and targets for LTE – Long Term Evolution and SAE – System Architecture Evolution, including network operator commitments and deployment/launch plans, device and platforms availability, latest trials results, spectrum, and plans for future evolution of LTE for consideration for the ITU IMT-Advanced standard.
Business users and consumers can today browse the Internet or send and receive e-mails using HSPA-enabled notebooks, or using HSPA modems including USB dongles, as well as send and receive video or music using their 3G/HSPA phones. Several operators are upgrading their networks this year with evolved HSPA (HSPA+) technology using 64 QAM modulation, enabling up to 21 Mbps downlink peak data speeds. Combining with 2×2 MIMO will mean 42 Mbps as a future step when devices come to market that support these speeds. LTE will deliver significant further capacity, data rate speed and throughput enhancements, and reduced latency, to support new services and features requiring higher levels of capability and performance. LTE is the next step in the user experience which will further enhance more demanding applications such as interactive TV, mobile video blogging, advanced games and professional services.
The new system includes support of a full IP-based network, and harmonization with legacy 3GPP systems (GSM, GPRS/EDGE, WCDMA-HSPA) and other radio access technologies. LTE reduces the cost per Gigabyte delivered, which is essential for addressing the mass market.
The Information Paper notes that up to 10 LTE networks are expected to launch commercial services in 2010. LTE is on track, attracting global industry support. With the HSPA mobile broadband eco-system in place, LTE is the natural migration choice for GSM/HSPA operators. LTE is also the next generation mobile broadband system of choice of leading CDMA operators, with leading players expected to be in the forefront of service introduction.
If you want to get hold of “The Evolution to LTE” Information Paper by GSA, you get it here.
[Via: GSA]
About The Author
Ben Robinson
Ben is a 10+ year veteran of the Mobile industry – starting his career when SMS was a still a relatively new concept for most people (!), he has now consulted on everything from bleeding-edge Mobile content, to the next-gen accessories you might view it on. As a result he has a broad and deep knowledge in numerous areas of Mobile – from network operators to device vendors, to infrastructure and middleware vendors (not to mention content delivery) – and has worked for companies in all of these areas! He is based in the UK, a hotbed of activity for mobile, and recently became a father for the second time – as oppose to in his younger years when he was happy spend time tweaking all manner of mobile devices to 'nth' degree, he now looks for services and hardware that provide the most efficient, compact, and reliable improvements to his already manic life! It’s his opinion that Mobile solutions should be there to help to make your life better – if a particular solution (be it service or device) isn’t doing this, he believes you need to ask the very important question of why you continue to use it... His focus at IntoMobile is mainly on Mobile content, services, and infrastructure, particularly as regards the UK market – and with the occasional look at devices. Additionally, using his extensive experience in the industry, he will provide commentary on the industry at large, with regular (and hopefully thought-provoking) articles.
