Skip to main content

Bumpy Road to 4G Wireless Service Adoption

The primary 4G technologies of the future are expected to be Long Term Evolution (LTE), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) and 802.16m WiMAX, according to the latest market assessment by In-Stat.

All of these technologies are based on OFDMA, and promise theoretical throughputs of 100Mbps for mobile applications. An official definition of what is expected of a 4G technology will be embodied in the ITU's IMT-Advanced requirements, which are projected to be released in the 2008/2009 time-frame.

Although LTE is generally linked to the GSM family of technologies, it's a radical change. This is true for UMB -- which used to be called EV-DO Rev C -- and In-Stat believes that it's really much more similar to LTE or 802.16m WiMAX than it is to the CDMA family of standards.

UMB will also be based on OFDMA and, consequently, will operate the most effectively with large channel bandwidths, such as 20MHz and higher. This is different from HSPA's 5MHz channels, or EV-DO's 1.5MHz channels.

802.16e WiMAX currently has profiles with 10MHz channels and smaller. Therefore, these 4G technologies will require a significant amount of spectrum to enable their promised high throughputs, and will require vast infrastructure upgrades, no matter which technology an operator selects.

4G technologies are expected to be initially implemented in 2010 -- however, looking at the slow uptake rate of EV-DO and HSPA, In-Stat says that it may be 2012 and beyond.

In-Stat actually forecasts that GSM/GPRS and GSM/EDGE handsets will still make up the majority of cellular handsets in 2011, with EV-DO and HSPA handsets expected to overtake 2G technologies in 2012. In other words, it's likely to be a very long and bumpy road to reach full market adoption.

This, perhaps, points to a slow build-out of 4G networks, in which operators will maintain their 3G networks for a very long time, running these as complementary to their 4G networks.

Drivers of LTE, UMB and 802.16m WiMAX adoption will include the following: the re-allocation of spectrum; the resolution of WiMAX intellectual property issues; the creation of FDD profiles for 802.16e WiMAX; the uptake rate of 802.16e in Mobile PCs; the uptake rate of EV-DO and HSPA in Mobile PCs; the continued evolution of the mobile handset; and an increase in the uptake rate of wireless broadband technologies into portable CE devices.

Initial implementations of LTE, UMB and 802.16m WiMAX may fall short of “4G” throughput and other expectations, with later enhancements -- or even some type of technology combination -- actually bringing real 4G to market, according to In-Stat.

Popular posts from this blog

Industrial and Manufacturing Technology Growth

In an evolving era of rapid advancement, market demand for innovative technology in the industrial and manufacturing sectors is skyrocketing. Leaders are recognizing the immense potential of digital transformation and are driving initiatives to integrate technologies into their business operations.  These initiatives aim to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately drive growth and competitiveness in an increasingly digital business upward trajectory. The industrial and manufacturing sectors have been the backbone of the Global Networked Economy, contributing $16 trillion in value in 2021. Industrial and Manufacturing Tech Market Development   This growth represents a 20 percent increase from 2020, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of these sectors in the face of unprecedented challenges, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research . The five largest manufacturing verticals -- automotive, computer and electronic, primary metal, food, and machinery -

Rise of AI-Enabled Smart Traffic Management

The demand for smart traffic management systems has grown due to rising urban populations and increasing vehicle ownership. With more people and cars concentrated in cities, problems like traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions are pressing issues. Since the early 2000s, government leaders have been exploring ways to leverage advances in IoT connectivity, sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics to address these transportation challenges. The concept of a Smart City emerged in the 2010s, with smart mobility and intelligent traffic management as key components.  Smart Traffic Management Market Development Concerns about continued climate change, as well as cost savings from improved traffic flow, have further motivated local government investment in these advanced systems. According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, they found that by 2028, smart traffic management investment will be up by 75 percent from a 2023 figure of

How Generative AI Will Reshape the Economy

The Global Networked Economy -- a term synonymous with the interconnectedness of businesses, individuals, and governments worldwide -- has undergone a remarkable transformation in 2023. Fueled by the rapid growth of digital technologies and the global internet, this phenomenon has given rise to a worldwide marketplace that has already revolutionized the way we live, work, and play. The impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in 2024 will be equally disruptive to many traditional business leaders. GenAI will also create huge opportunities for the fearless pioneers. Global Networked Economy Market Development The Global Networked Economy's evolution traces back to the advent of the Public Internet. The introduction of eCommerce, social media, and cloud computing has been instrumental in reshaping how businesses operate and engage with their customers. This interconnected ecosystem empowers savvy leaders to access new markets, trim operational costs, enhance commercial e