1. fiercewireless.com
Path to
 The 4G battle is on and operators are racing to
secure the largest 4G footprint in the fastest pos- DiaMonD SponSor:
sible time frame. The highest profile 4G players are
4G
most likely Clearwire (and its wholesale partners),
which have deployed more than 100 mobile WiMAX
markets and Verizon Wireless, which commercially
launched 38 LTE markets as of year-end 2010.
But the 4G race is just getting started and first-to-
market doesn’t necessarily equate to 4G leadership.
Tier 2 operator MetroPCS is carving out a 4G niche
with a handful of LTE market deployments and an platinuM SponSorS:
interesting business model. Tier 1 operator AT&T is
aggressively moving ahead with HSPA+ and plan-
ning for a mid-2011 LTE deployment. T-Mobile USA is
painting its HSPA+ network as 4G because it offers
4G-like speeds. And finally, new entrant LightSquared
is promising to stir up the pot with its wholesale LTE
network, which it plans to start deploying in 2011.
Thus, 4G is no longer a possibility but a reality. But
it also is becoming a source of confusion for consum-
ers as they try to figure out why they should purchase
this new fangled service.
Some experts say that the operators aren’t helping
the consumer by using 4G to describe their networks
Is It tIme for a
when they should be spending their marketing dollars
to differentiate their services from the competition.
According to a Yankee Group study released late
4G reality
last year, aggressive marketing for 4G services and
devices has only served to confuse consumers. In
fact, nearly three-fourths of users in Yankee Group’s
2010 Anywhere Consumer study said that they do
check?
not know or understand what 4G is. And even more
surprising, after years of marketing efforts, more than
50 percent of consumers still don’t know what 3G is.
So perhaps the real solution for operators is to stop
using industry terms like 3G and 4G as marketing
messages to consumers and instead come up with
marketing messages that really resonate. GolD SponSorS:
In this eBook from FierceWireless – we will take
a look at the current state of 4G deployments in the
U.S., the role of devices in attracting consumers,
4 5 6 8 9 11 15 17 19
the many challenges facing rural operators when it
comes to deploying 4G and the role backhaul plays in
Using Carrier Executive Aeroflex Leads Business Strong Differentiating Wholesale Rural Upgrading delivering 4G services to consumers.
Ethernet for Q&A With Market With Analytics: Ecosystems LTE Devices 4G Network Operators Backhaul
Optimal 4G Thomas Keys, Complete End- The Key To Are Necessary Key To Players Seek Face 4G To Meet Sue Marek
Backhaul COO Of To-End LTE Competitive For 4G Success To Fill Gaps Deployment Anticipated editor-in-Chief /// FierceWireless
*Sponsored MetroPCS Test Portfolio Advantage In 4G Success Challenge 4G Demands
Content* *Sponsored *Sponsored March 2 011 2
Content* Content* 2

2. fiercewireless.com
Using Carrier
Ethernet for Low-volume critical applications or Ethernet helps backhaul providers
Optimal 4G data that require stringent perfor-
mance should not be impacted by
avoid costly over-provisioning of the
network, even as MNOs demand
Backhaul high-volume “best effort” data. multiple classes of service across it.
According to Infonetics Ciena’s product portfolio delivers
Research, “Carriers everywhere True Carrier Ethernet® services,
 As the popularity of smartphones are increasing the bandwidth on with solutions for both fiber-based
and other intelligent mobile devices their backhaul networks to handle and radio (microwave or millime-
What’s next is increases, MNOs recognize that
revenue growth hinges upon their
ability to deliver a wider range of
this exploding IP data traffic, and
the most efficient, cost-effective
way to do that is to transition
ter wave) access networks. True
Carrier Ethernet services support
a wide range of capabilities and
simple, scalable
mobile broadband applications and from TDM to packet IP/Ethernet, features over the minimum defined
services, which require higher band- which is driving the mobile back- standards put forth by the MEF, as
width and lower latency, to deliver haul equipment market.” Packet depicted in Figure 2. These interop-
lte backhaul.
the expected service quality. For backhaul can also provide more
Ciena’s True Carrier Ethernet
example, a video stream viewed bandwidth and QoS granularity > MEF Carrier Ehternet with
MEF Carrier Ethernet
on a tablet computer might require than legacy TDM services, provid-
value-added enhancements
> Best in breed scalability,
> Standardized
resilience, QoS enforcement
HD-quality bandwidth with rapid ing higher degrees of flexibility and LAN Ethernet Services and service management
noW.
> Scalability
> Enterprise price points > Deterministic Traffic routing
access to large cached Over-The- better scalability. [Figure 1 illus- > Ubiquity
> Simplicity
> Reliability
> Service Mgmt
with connection-oriented
technologies
Top (OTT) content files to achieve trates a MEF-compliant reference
> Interoperable with a variety
> Quality of Service
of MPLS/VPLS architectures
the consistent video download architecture for LTE backhaul.] click to view diagram
required for smooth playback. How-
ciena, the carrier ethernet click to view diagram
ever, delivering such applications erable and standards-compliant
leader, beats routers in lte
eNB
and services can quickly overwhelm EVC (E-LAN) for X2
advances improve backhaul provid-
backhaul tco. the capacity of current 3G wireless eNB
UNI-C
UNIc
UNI-N
LTE Backhaul ers’ ability to confidently deploy,
With over 55,000 tower installations, Ciena networks and associated backhaul eNB
UNI-C UNI-N
MEF 6.1 Service
UNI-N UNI-C provision, and manage cost-effec-
Controller
has simplified high-capacity, low-TCO networks. As a result, MNOs world- UNIa EVC (E-Line) for S1 UNIb
tive LTE backhaul services featuring
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wide are adopting the new wireless standardization, scalability, reliability,
See how you can save up to 40% with Ciena’s
technologies, including WiMAX, A Carrier Ethernet solution, QoS, and service management.
industry-leading Carrier Ethernet solutions.
Access your free report today! HSPA+, and LTE. These next- whether fiber-, microwave radio-, Combined, these service features
generation technologies address or millimeter radio-based, permits significantly accelerate and auto-
the limitations of mobile radio strong levels of control and robust mate scalable Ethernet service
access, enabling the necessary functionality, making it a truly cost- creation and activation.
high throughput and low latency. efficient 4G backhaul solution. With Ciena’s product portfolio com-
4G design is not just about scaling Carrier Ethernet, backhaul provid- bines intelligent devices and
FRee RepoRt bandwidth to support packet traffic. ers can scale the network quickly software to create low-touch, high-
LTE Backhaul:
Scale capacity. Click here to access: Given the trends in usage of bursty and achieve the lowest cost per bit velocity Carrier Ethernet access and
Reduce cost
per bit. Maximizing LTE Benefits IP applications, the focus shifts to as they increase bandwidth. Car- metro networks.
Using True Carrier
support high-volume multimedia rier Ethernet also enables network Please visit www.ciena.com for
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are evolving their paper describes Ciena’s solution, which combines
wireless infrastructure to the Long Term Evolution True Carrier Ethernet-based cell site demarcation
(LTE) standard that offers low latency and high with converged optical Ethernet aggregation to
bandwidth to deliver rich content to smart mobile build scalable cost-effective networks.
Ethernet Backhaul >
®
devices. This paper articulates the challenges and LTE Drives Higher Data Usage.
complexities in LTE design with the recommendation
As the popularity of smartphones and other
to use Carrier Ethernet- based solutions for backhaul intelligent mobile devices increases, MNOs now
from cell sites to reduce Total Cost of Ownership
recognize that revenue growth hinges upon their
(TCO). Backhaul providers can use this approach to ability to deliver a wider range of mobile broadband
and data traffic. Designing the 4G operators to match the connectiv- more information. l
scale their networks cost- effectively. Finally, this applications and services, which require higher
Ciena.com network requires engineering to ity provisioned across the network
© 2011 Ciena Corporation. All rights reserved. Follow Ciena, and lead. support packet traffic with differ- with the data traffic seeking to use
ent Class of Service (CoS) levels that capacity. Equally important,
that now share the same backhaul. the inherent flexibility of Carrier
3 March 2 011 March 2 011 4

3. fiercewireless.com
Executive Q&A with thomas keys, coo of metroPcs
By Fierce wireless
Aeroflex Leads Market With
Complete End-To-End true end-to-end lte
network testing
LTE Test Portfolio The TM500 Test Mobile family
 MetroPCS has been on the forefront of innovation simulates single or multiple handset
when it comes to the LTE market. The company users on a network and is used by
recently introduced the first LTE Android smartphone  For comprehensive LTE test tion is significantly more accurate almost every base station manu-
in the market, and continues to tout aggressive solutions, no other test and mea- and easier to calibrate. The Aeroflex facturer in the world. The TM500
plans toward Voice over LTE. Yet, when it comes surement manufacturer compares 7100’s one box approach allows a can be regarded as the de facto
MetroPCS’ differentiator in the market cost is one of to Aeroflex. Delivering LTE prod- wide range of realistic and repeat- standard for eNodeB base station
the biggest drivers of its deployment. FierceWireless ucts since 2007, Aeroflex offers a able test scenarios (including MIMO development and testing.
contributing editor Lynnette Luna recently spoke complete range of end-to-end test and inter-RAT handover) to be cre- Beyond network testing with
with MetroPCS Chief Operating Officer Thomas Keys systems that help operators around ated in the lab. a multi-user test mobile, there is
about the company’s philosophy when it comes to LTE the globe deploy LTE networks a need to stress test a network
innovation and how the company will capitalize on the successfully. Aeroflex’s LTE test under real world conditions. The
technology going forward. portfolio covers R&D, service and award-winning EAST500 LTE
manufacturing test applications for Capacity Test System is the lead-
LTE TDD (Time Division Duplex) ing LTE capacity test RF solution
and LTE FDD (Frequency Division selected both by equipment ven-
FierceWireless: MetroPCS is an the company is that we are a qual- MHz. These are smaller channels Duplex) network equipment and dors and operators.
interesting company in the fact ity low-cost provider … It’s that than other competitors because terminals. Aeroflex worldwide The EAST500 is an integrated
that it’s not touting the blazing fast foundation for our CPU costs and of our spectrum holdings. Had engineering centers support cur- system for true end-to-end LTE
data speeds of LTE but is on the scaling of the network that brings we not engaged the ecosystem rent and next generations of LTE FDD and LTE TDD network capac-
forefront of innovation, for example the flexibility to do what we do to to work with us and to develop networks and devices. ity testing over RF with real data
introducing the first LTE smart- bring our service to folks. Without technologies that would work services and applications. It is
phone and pushing for voice over that basis for being, we probably on those splits, and also support lte r&d is easier with aeroflex Pxi systems flexible and scalable depending
LTE. Can you talk a bit about the wouldn’t exist in the form that we AWS/PCS as we go forward, that one-box testing reduce device upon the number of UEs and cells
philosophy around LTE innovation do today. technology may not have been For the design, development, and manufacturing test time required. The EAST500 simulates
at MetroPCS? available to us for some time. test stages, the award-winning Aeroflex’s LTE expertise extends from hundreds to thousands of
FierceWireless: So your philoso- So we thought being a thought Aeroflex 7100 LTE Digital Radio Test all the way through final production LTE UEs over one to multiple cells.
keys: Yes, the speed thing does phy is all about driving cost from leader when we committed to this Set is the most complete one-box test of mobile devices and chip- Using EAST500 for regression
upset some people. Oddly enough, LTE? 36 months ago was extremely test system for LTE. Aeroflex’s sets. PXI 3000 Series test systems testing and network optimization
our customers--when they move important. As we’ve done that, benchtop system provides all the combine modular hardware and ensures network performance
from a 1x experience to an LTE keys: Over time there is a one- we’ve pushed the ecosystem tools required for measurement and software solutions for both LTE under loaded conditions.
experience--are extremely happy to-10 capacity play utilizing LTE vs. along. We’ve gotten the first 4G characterization of user equipment FDD and LTE TDD. With an enviable
with it. One of reasons why we our 1x network. So we know that LTE phone and now the first 4G (UE) chipsets and mobile terminals track record of success, Aeroflex find out more
don’t offer speed at the moment over time the cost to put carriers in LTE Android smartphone. So for to 3GPP LTE standards. PXI systems increase production To learn more about LTE testing,
is that this is transformational, and the network is going to decrease, Samsung to come along, that Combined with the optional inte- throughput by significantly reduc- go to www.aeroflex.com/ebook
it’s an evolution. So as we build out and it’s going to be a very positive also has exponential effect on the gral fading simulator, the Aeroflex ing test times. Choosing Aeroflex to download a white paper, data
infrastructure, we look at particular move for the cost of our network. rest of the OEM ecosystem who 7100 offers a complete one-box test PXI test systems ensures a smooth sheets, and more. Or call us at
band channels that are smaller than I think the other side of it is: Why now see MetroPCS as a leader system for full LTE mobile phone transition from design/development 1-800-835-2352 to consult on your
others. It’s also about the backhaul did we move to LTE? It’s about in the category and now come characterization, including signal to the production floor. The PXI next LTE program. l
pipe that you have to the site, and the ecosystem. We have particular to us and look to us as to how fading simulation, a requirement of family is supported by PXI Studio
what the demand is. One of the bandwidth splits we needed to they can advance things in the 3GPP LTE certification. Integrated software, as well as LTE FDD and
founding principles that we have in deploy it in: 5 MHz, 3 MHz and 1.4 future. We also believe in scale. baseband fading and noise simula- LTE TDD Measurement Suites.
5 March 2 011 March 2 011 6

4. fiercewireless.com
We believe that as Verizon goes because we have seen early adop- keys: Essentially for that, once Business Analytics: The Key To
forward and builds out their LTE
network, it will benefit the entire
tion to our $50 and $60 rate plans
be very strong. In terms of being
we get voice and data to ride
together, we have the ability to
Competitive Advantage In 4G mistake. The early adopters will not
ecosystem. They will help bring a capacity play, it’s a little early. It refarm our CDMA spectrum over Ken King, Director, telco & MeDia convergence at sas. represent the majority of custom-
along the chipset manufacturers. still has to scale, but we believe to LTE. Then we get exponential ers. In fact, every customer will be
We’ll have more chipsets that are as we go forward at the back-end efficiencies once that’s done. So  The rise of smart phones and As they build out the 4G infra- unique because smart phones and
multimode that can do a variety of of 2011 and into 2012, it will abso- we’ll be trialing that shortly this the emergence of tablets caused structure, operators must optimize tablets are very personal devices.
things, and that will only help bring lutely meet that requirement. year and toward the latter part of wireless broadband demand to out- their limited capital and human Most users will find the options for
the cost curve down over time. 2011 and into 2012, we think that strip supply. Frustrated customers resources. The accuracy and timeli- mobile broadband confusing; they
FierceWireless: How quickly will be deployed into the network. are clamoring for faster mobile data ness of demand forecasts will be will struggle with complexity, and
FierceWireless: Is LTE proving could we see Voice over LTE? speeds, and network operators are an important determinate of profit- be tempted by competitors offering
to be a valuable tool in terms of FierceWireless: Is there a temp- busy with 4G rollouts, attempting ability. Inaccurate forecasts will lead discounts. Long-term competi-
providing network capacity or is it tation with the ability of LTE to go to get the first mover advantage so operators to deploy infrastructure tive advantage for the 4G service
too early to tell? beyond your niche? they can charge premium prices. either too early or too late. provider requires robust customer
“Metro prides itself on
But that advantage will be short Any new technology will have intelligence capabilities.
speed to market. We can
keys: It’s probably a little bit early keys: Yes. Innovation and speed lived. Competitors will quickly arrive problems. The early days of 4G are Faced with enormous volumes
do things quicker than
on that front only because the of change is what we’re built with their own 4G services and no exception. Too often, service of data spread across multiple
most other competitors.”
ecosystem is just emerging with for. Metro prides itself on speed prices will fall as customers search providers are so intent on signing systems, it’s critical that net-
devices. We have two handsets thoMaS keyS, MetropCS to market. We can do things for the best deals. The weaker up new customers to meet aggres- work operators have the ability to
right now. I can tell you it has ChieF operatinG oFFiCer quicker than most other competi- operators will resort to discounts sive targets that they fail to ensure consolidate and view their data
been helpful in terms of rate plans tors. We’ll look at it, but the one and gimmicks to win customers in a quality experience for the early from within a single environment.
thing we don’t want to do is a commodity market. The challenge adopters. Inaccurate information The leader in business analytics
put the customer experience for network operators is to create
on a lower level tomorrow a differentiated experience that
just to get growth. So if you clearly communicates the value of In the fast-paced world of communications services,
are talking about tablets and high-quality service so they can making better and faster decisions is essential for seizing
connected devices, we are avoid being commoditized. opportunities. Too often, network operators fail to fully
absolutely going through the Business analytics offers proven appreciate the strategic value of the customer data and
roadmap looking at every- approaches that enable service how that data can be exploited for competitive advantage.
thing. But we’ve made no providers to improve the customer
decisions to deploy that. experience and create a differenti-
To the contrary we’ve been ated level of service that attracts about service problems and poor software and services, SAS can
public by saying our model and keeps profitable customers. In root-cause analysis results in wast- help you use your data to gain a
today is the small screen, i.e. the fast-paced world of commu- ing valuable time addressing the competitive advantage in your 4G
four, four-and-a-half inches nications services, making better same problems over and over. One deployments. In fact, SAS has
and below. Are we looking and faster decisions is essential for sure way to fall behind your com- helped more than 200 service pro-
at that? Do we have OEMs seizing opportunities. Too often, petitors is to disappoint the users viders realize the potential of their
who are providing opportuni- network operators fail to fully who are most interested in your data and make better decisions
ties? Absolutely. But we want appreciate the strategic value of products. Analytics can provide the about their customers, perfor-
to make sure that we have the customer data and how that insights to identify problems early mance and financials. For more
LTE fully deployed. We want data can be exploited for competi- and enable proactive responses. information, visit http://www.sas.
to make sure that we have tive advantage. Business analytics In the early days, customer com/industry/communications/. l
enough bandwidth in the will be most important to 4G in demand for 4G will be brisk and
backhaul to deliver an experi- forecasting, service optimization, service providers may be tempted
MetroPCS introduced the first Android-based LTE ence that isn’t subpar to what customer intelligence and data to neglect the important role of cus-
smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Indulge. it is today. l management. tomer intelligence; that would be a
7 March 2 011 March 2 011 8

5. fiercewireless.com
Strong Ecosystems Are Nielsen showed that four in five the new technology. They care to the marketplace in order to by then have a mature ecosystem
Necessary For 4G Success U.S. wireless consumers have
heard of 4G but only two say they
about the quality of service overall,”
Warren said.
address multiple factors such as
network speed, backhaul, devices,
with numerous devices and lower
equipment prices.
By taMMy ParKer understand what it is. Further, 27 The experiences of Sprint and applications and coverage. Nonetheless, Martinez predicts
percent of those surveyed wrongly Clearwire, which introduced “We learned a lot from the early that LTE deployments will rapidly
believed the Apple iPhone 4 is so 802.16e WiMAX into the United 3G deployments, which didn’t pick up once compatible end-
named because it is 4G-enabled. States during 2008, bear out the really take into consideration the user devices are widely available,
Thus, the first lesson learned from fact that being first with 4G doesn’t entire customer experience,” Pear- meaning that “we’re going to see
early 4G launches should be that guarantee immediate success. son noted. people moving even faster to LTE
confusing the marketplace is prob- Clearwire, which took over even if they have the choice to
ably not helping to build it. Sprint’s Xohm WiMAX business, do this or do that stay with HSPA+.”
“At the moment, you have a is considering selling excess spec- Yet operators cannot build 4G
whole range of networks doing trum or engaging in other “strategic ecosystems until they select their
different things, and they ought to transactions” to raise cash to fund technology path, which is still a “By calling all networks 4G,
be differentiating themselves on the development of its network, which sticking point for many. you’re driving the consumer
basis of speed or the things they is rolling out on a market-by-market “The thing about the HSPA to in the direction of having to
have that they can actually identify basis. The company slashed 15 per- HSPA+ to LTE evolution is that you do more research into what
as a differentiator from the competi- cent of its work force in November can do as many or as few of those your product offering is.”
tion. And yet all the U.S. operators 2010 and suspended some com- steps as you want. You can go as
are desperate to use the same mercial and retail operations due to Dan Warren, Senior DireCtor
quickly or as slowly as your market
name for these different networks,” its cash crunch. In February, Clear- oF teChnoloGy at the GSMa.
and your technology allow,” War-
said Dan Warren, senior director of wire said that without additional ren said. “No two operators in any
technology at the GSMA. funding it will run out of cash by one market are in the same situa-
Confusion over what is 4G primarily, if not exclusively, be avail- “You can call it what you like. mid-year 2011 ahead of a bond sale. tion, and no two markets are in the 4G Americas counted 17 commer-
and what it means isn’t able on USB keys; few LTE devices You could call it corn flakes. It Clearwire has 4.4 million subscrib- same situation.” cial LTE deployments in 15 countries
helping the market prosper will be available for consumers really doesn’t matter. The name is ers and hopes to double that by According to Fabricio Martinez, worldwide as of early February
and grow. before the end of the year.” not what is going to make a con- year’s end. services director for Product Man- 2011 and expects to see another 50
It does not help that industry sumer buy one thing from another. Chris Pearson, president of 4G agement at Aircom International, launches this year. Yet Pearson is
 4G has arrived, but its players are still arguing over what By calling all networks 4G, you’re Americas, whose group represents deployment of HSPA+ by an HSPA betting that HSPA+ will have consid-
impact will be negligible in exactly constitutes 4G, particularly driving the consumer in the direc- operators across the Americas using operator offers significantly reduced erable staying power.
the short term as operators as leading operators in the U.S. rush tion of having to do more research 3GPP technologies such as GSM, capex compared to LTE and could “LTE gets all the stories written
juggle technology decisions to brand a host of technologies – into what your product offering is,” HSPA and LTE, naturally contends save a U.S. operator up to $1.19 bil- about it, but if you look at what
and build out the complete 802.16e WiMAX, HSPA+ and LTE he added. that Clearwire’s struggles prove the lion over 12 months. is carrying the workload here for
ecosystems needed for viable - as “4G.” Consumers who have to educate 3GPP route was the wiser one. He contends that a carrier can many years to come, it’s HSPA and
4G businesses. The International Telecommunica- themselves are more likely to rely He said Clearwire’s experience so attain return on investment on HSPA+,” he said.
During the coming year, tion Union originally contended that upon the information they collect far also reinforces the importance of HSPA+ in three years, at which time 4G Americas recently said the
“4G will have as little impact only LTE-Advanced and WiMAX 2 and pay less attention to an indi- taking a measured, holistic approach it could upgrade to LTE, which will number of operators worldwide
as 3G had when it launched (802.16m), both emerging technolo- vidual carrier’s marketing campaign, with HSPA+ networks has
in Europe and the U.S. in gies, qualify as 4G because they will Warren said. reached 103 commercial net-
2003,” according to Forrester be able to achieve peak data rates cost of dePloyment of lte vs. hsPa+ works in 54 countries.
Research. “It’s taken nearly of 1 GB per second for a station- first out of the gate region caPex cost of lte caPex cost of hsPa+ caPex reduction “We’re seeing the
seven years for half of mobile ary user. Then the ITU changed its Despite some operators’ efforts UK £518m ($750m) £173m ($250m) £345m ($500m) beginning of the LTE tech-
phone subscribers in the U.S. definition to say that any technology to be the first to say they offer 4G, nology story, but it’s just
US £1.23bn ($1.78bn) £410m ($594m) £818m ($1.19bn)
and Europe to have mobile offering a “meaningful improve- time to market is probably not a the beginning; it shouldn’t
Gulf territories £233m ($337bn) £77m ($112m) £155m ($225m)
phones on these (3G) net- ment” over 3G equals 4G. huge issue. “I don’t think consum- be overhyped,” Pearson
works. The (4G) service will No wonder a recent survey from ers actually care that much about Asia Pacific £160 ($232m) £53m ($77m) £107m ($155m) added. l
Source: Aircom International
9 March 2 011 March 2 011 10

6. fiercewireless.com
Differentiating LTE Devices introduced the first LTE-embedded
laptop, for Sweden’s TeliaSonera.
Key To Success “We’re a good reflection of
Peggy alBright where we think LTE is going, and
it has to be more aggressive in
terms of offering device types,”
Devices are a huge driver aggressive push by Verizon Wire- Martinez said.
for getting consumers less, LTE handsets will quickly In addition to an early variety
to upgrade to LTE. But find the scale needed to come to among products, the LTE compo-
will they live up to the market from multiple vendors and nents used in the devices represent
expectations? at a fairly fast pace, led by the HTC a new diversity among suppliers,
Thunderbolt. Three more phones, noted John Jackson, vice president
 In the mobile industry from Motorola, Samsung and LG, of research at CCS Insight.
devices drive the market, and will come by mid-year. Verizon For the 11 devices Verizon has
their influence will take on also will introduce tablets from announced, he noted that multiple
even greater importance with Samsung and Motorola, notebooks companies are supplying LTE radio
LTE. The new performance from HP and Compaq and hotspots components. The addition of new
capabilities that come with from Novatel and Samsung. vendors means that the historically
LTE will motivate vendors to The number and variety of tight relationship that Verizon has
produce more types of prod- devices that are emerging this had with Qualcomm for its chip-
ucts than they’ve been able to early in a new cellular technology’s sets is not as exclusive as it was
offer before. It will also give commercialization is unusual. The with 3G. It is a strong response
operators more options in product launches are strategically to LTE from the supply side of the
how to engineer their net- necessary, however, to showcase silicon market.
works, which will also create the rich multimedia experience LTE “Personally, I’ve been impressed
variations in how devices are will facilitate, said Chris Martinez, by the number of suppliers that
configured and perform. senior manager, product manage- have successfully commercialized
As expected, the first LTE ment and strategy for Samsung LTE so far,” he said.
devices to hit the market Mobile. Samsung also has recently Because LTE devices are still few
have been laptop and far between, industry
dongles, and these participants are speculat-
devices are avail- ing about features such
able from a handful as device size and battery
of vendors for performance, and capabili-
early LTE networks. ties such as roaming and
Smartphones, voice services.
which are more One fear is that LTE
challenging and smartphones will be large
costly to introduce, and bulky compared to the
are just now gaining slick smartphones that run
traction. Samsung on 3G. Early implementa-
receives credit for tions should put those fears
the first LTE smart- to rest. Samsung’s initial
phones, offered handsets, and the HTC
through MetroPCS. The Samsung Craft is the first LTE smartphone Thunderbolt, are compa-
Thanks to an launched by MetroPCS in September 2010. rable in size and weight
11 March 2 011 March 2 011 12

7. fiercewireless.com
to popular 3G smartphones on an obvious roaming solution, but
the market today. Both vendors this may not always be an option.
hinted that a potential market for The problem could come down to
larger-screen smartphones that can the chipsets.
exploit LTE multimedia applications “Very few companies that supply
could prompt the creation of bigger LTE chipsets also have the license
SHAPING THE
devices, however. or software stack for 3G and 2G,”
Battery consumption on smart- said Strauss.
phones is another concern. While The chipset limitation may
power management chips can mini- also inhibit an operator’s ability to
NETWORKED
mize energy use for power-hungry facilitate handoffs to its own legacy
components such as the display, networks for its own customers if
LTE devices will use more power LTE is not available. Operators will
simply because they will consume need to weigh these needs care-
data at a faster rate.
“There is no free lunch,” said
Will Strauss, president and princi-
pal analyst at Forward Concepts.
fully when selecting devices.
Verizon has made vendor choices
to avoid those limitations and its
early devices do offer backward-
SOCIETY
“You use more data, you use compatibility to 3G. The company
more battery.” said it will have products in 2011
Martin Fichter, vice president of that also will roam on networks in
portfolio management and plan- HTC’s Thunderbolt LTE Europe on LTE and HSPA. Even so,
ning at HTC, said his company will smartphone is expected to debut the company’s first LTE products,
not launch a phone unless it can on Verizon Wireless’ LTE network. 3G-compatible laptop dongles,
survive a day of work-related use suffered delays while transferring
and continue into the evening for it could force operators to target from 3G to 4G if the connection
entertainment-related activities specific roaming markets when was transmitting data during the
without recharging. He said HTC’s planning their products. process. The company is work-
LTE smartphones offer the same While it is still early enough in ing with modem manufacturers to
battery performance that its 2010- LTE’s commercialization that inter- overcome this issue.
year 3G smartphones provide. national roaming will not be needed Voice on LTE is another issue that
“You won’t see deterioration,” on a wide scale for a few years, will challenge operators initially.
he said. “We have gained a lot in the problem is already appearing While LTE devices will use the
battery performance year over year domestically in the U.S. For exam- Voice over LTE standard to facilitate
by using more efficient hardware ple, the Samsung Craft, offered by voice calls on LTE-only devices, no
and microprocessors and better MetroPCS for use in 1700/2100 commercial devices are in the mar-
software to manage performance MHz spectrum, will not operate on ket yet. Initially, devices will use When one person is connected their life changes.
better.” Verizon’s 700 MHz LTE network. legacy 2G or 3G networks for voice, When everything is connected our world changes.
Roaming, another concern, is And AT&T, which will launch LTE in yet another application that will In the world of 50 billion connected devices, everything
benefiting from a connection will have one.
turning out to be a serious issue 700 MHz, has indicated that its first require multimode devices. HTC’s
because operators around the LTE device will not roam on Veri- Fichter said that as networks begin
world will deploy LTE in a wide zon’s network due to differences introducing VoLTE and until it is
variety of spectrum bands and with in how the two operators are using ubiquitous, interim solutions will be
various techniques. The fragmen- their spectrum. available that can seamlessly hand
tation means devices will need to LTE devices equipped with 3G off voice calls to circuit switched
accommodate more radios and and 2G connectivity will provide voice or voice over HSPA. l
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