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LTE Technology
Today, a large majority of broadband cellphones run on third generation (3G) mobile technology networks, which are divided into the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks. While CDMA is prevalent in America, over 80% of the world’s mobile phones run on GSM networks.
A newer technology may soon replace these archaic networks and eventually become the standard, otherwise known as LTE (Long Term Evolution). This network standard was first incepted by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) industry group, for the purpose of, unsurprisingly, data transfer. Mobile providers and the equipment manufacturing industry saw potential in LTE and collaborated to form the Voice over LTE via Generic Access (VoLGA) forum, which devoted itself to expanding LTE access technology in order to support voice and SMS using existing networks.
The goal of the forum was to allow wireless broadband providers to transition to this new technology without having the need to start from scratch and build networks from the ground up. Among other things, LTE promises faster speeds for mobile internet users and at the same time lower long-term operating costs and enhance capacity for network providers. Currently, LTE is being fine-tuned and under development to allow wireless network providers using both GSM and CDMA networks to make the switch from 3G technology to fourth generation (4G) networks and equipment. Implementation of LTE will then enable pre-existing applications to run much faster than ever before while paving way to new ones that can harness the LTE’s potential.
Key Details
• Theoretical downlink peak data rates up to 100 Mbps with 20 MHz bandwidth
• Theoretical uplink peak data rates up to 50 Mbps with 20 MHz bandwidth
• Reduced latency to 10 msec round-trip time between user equipment and base station
LTE utilises radio waves which allow for more data to be transferred over the same bandwidth via standard 3G equipment. What this also means is that service providers are able to squeeze more data transfers out of existing cells, thus lowering the cost to run their networks. As LTE is compatible with current networks, service providers have the option of planning for a seamless transition, while continuing to use the legacy CDMA and GSM networks as backups.
The way in which LTE operates to achieve its high speeds does however, lead to a drawback in regards to cost, as the initial start-up investment of service providers are going to cost quite a bit. This is due to the fact that the LTE adopts the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, which requires additional transmission and reception antennae in cell basestations, hence forcing an upgrade. Conversely, users will also have to shell out money for devices that actually support LTE.
LTE in Malaysia
In November 2010, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) issued temporary licenses to nine companies for the use of the 2.6GHz band. These operators were than asked to submit details of their business plans in January 2011 back to the MCMC. Tentatively however, the industry regulator has yet to come to a decision on the final list of spectrum licensees.The Ministry of Information, communications and Culture deems LTE as a technology that has yet to mature, and that there was no need to rush things.
That said, the ministry only looks at the broad guidelines while the operational aspects of the spectrum assignment still rested with the MCMC. Industry observers were not too pleased by this and have criticised the Malaysian government for taking its time to decide on the matter, despite the fact that many of the local operators have prepped their networks, ready to shift to LTE and are just waiting for the green light.
Even as operators wait for the final say, Malaysian operators are already collaborating with China to promote Time Division Long-Term Evolution (TD-LTE) as a standard within the region. Not only does Malaysia stand to gain from the expertise of China’s research knowledge base in TD-LTE, local operators stand to gain from the advancing ecosystem. As operators learn the most efficient means of deploying the technology, consumers stand to benefit from the lower prices of LTE-ready hardware, as modems, routers and other broadband devices will be rolled out en masse once LTE is ready.
The government of Malaysia currently conclude that LTE technology is still new and not ready yet for years more. As many Malaysian mobile provider currently offer 3G and HSDPA technology to all its consumers. On Jun 2010, Maxis Malaysia start testing the LTE technology in partnership with Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei . In following of that, the rival telco Celcom Malaysia began LTE tests in September 2010. Huawei and Ericsson had won the contract to build the high speed next-generation mobile network throughout the country. This has led to at least one local tabloid to note that the two competitors are engaged in a broadband arms race.
In Comparison
LTE was appointed to be the candidate of 4G technology. Under years of research, the 3G will be the past and LTE is the transition to the 4G. LTE allows faster data transfer which means a faster internet with lower cost per Bit. The energy consumption will also be reduced and the maintenance cost will be lowered also. On recap, GSM is in the family of 2G, GPRS and EDGE is the 2G transition, UMTS is the 3G technology. HSPA, HSDPA, WiMAX and LTE is the 3G transition. While The candidate to be crowned as 4G is LTE Advanced and WiMAX Advanced.
6 months ago Notes
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