Analysing Wireless Communications

Overview

LTE will be the first cellular system that can provide true broadband experiences. 3.5G networks have high theoretical data rate values, but their practical throughput values are often too low for broadband services. LTE, however, is capable of well over 100 Mbps data rates per cell. In addition, it can offer shorter latencies and better quality of service near cell edges. LTE, in its first incarnation in 3GPP Release 8, does not fulfil all the requirements that have been set for 4G systems by ITU. Therefore, it is also often alluded to as 3.9G, indicating that the system is almost but not quite there. Yet this label can be misleading too. LTE is a very different technology from 3G systems such as WCDMA, and its capabilities are also superior to earlier 3G systems. LTE is not just another compatible 3G upgrade such as 3.5G (HSDPA), or 3.75G (HSUPA). It is a completely new system, and its air interface is incompatible with other 3G systems. Moreover, the advanced LTE system which will be eventually specified in 3GPP Release 9, is expected to fulfil all 4G requirements. Thus, LTE is a new generation technology in all but name.

These vastly improved capabilities enable completely new types of services to be offered. The price per bit transferred over the air interface will plummet, resulting in some low data rate services, such as voice, to be offered practically for free. Moreover, much higher data rates make it possible to offer video and multimedia applications with attractive pricing. Our LTE report includes a thorough examination of the technical aspects of LTE. Equally, it discusses the new wireless business landscape enabled by LTE.

The main topics of this report:

• Technical analysis of the LTE system: physical layer, protocol stack and the core network.
• OFDM and SC-FDMA basics - what makes them so suitable for this system?
• Multiantenna radios - how will they be used in LTE?
• MIMO and multiple spectrum bands - a difficult combination!
• Spectrum bands employed by mobile network operators in Europe (189 operators in 46 countries).
• Spectrum bands employed by mobile network operators in selected countries worldwide (106 operators in 15 countries).
• Detailed analysis of 30 major mobile network operators regarding their plans and prospects vis-à-vis LTE.
• Reviews of the policies and plans regarding LTE in eight important markets around the world (Canada, China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA).
• Analysis of LTE prospects of 12 companies in the mobile network infrastructure business.
• Analysis of LTE prospects of 18 companies in the mobile handset business.
• Case studies of NTT DoCoMo and China Mobile.
• LTE Subscriber forecasts for 2009 - 2013 (worldwide / by area / by operator).
• LTE launch schedules of selected operators.
• LTE as a service enabler. What kind of services will be provided via LTE networks?
• Introduction to LTE-Advanced, the upgraded future version of LTE.
• Threats to LTE?
• And much more….

The report contains 191 pages, 48 tables and 32 figures.