39 LTE network commitments worldwide

Transcription

1 Evolution to LTE 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), targets capacity and data rate speed, data throughput enhancements and low latency, to support new services, and features requiring higher levels of capability and performance. Business users and consumers today browse the Internet or send and receive s using HSPA-enabled notebooks, or with HSPA modems and dongles, and send/receive video or music on 3G/HSPA phones. LTE is the next step in the user experience, which will enhance more demanding applications such as interactive TV, mobile video blogging, advanced games and professional services. Downlink and uplink data rates are significantly higher, supported by the necessary network architecture and technology enhancements. LTE reduces the cost per Gigabyte delivered, essential for addressing the mass market. The new system supports a full IP-based network, and harmonization with other radio access technologies. place, LTE is the natural migration choice for GSM/HSPA network operators. As a result of collaboration between 3GPP, 3GPP2 and IEEE, there is a roadmap for CDMA operators to evolve to LTE. It is clear that LTE is the next generation mobile broadband system of choice also for many CDMA operators, particularly leading players. Successful handovers between CDMA and LTE networks were demonstrated and announced in August 2009, showing how activities such as video downloading and web surfing were maintained as the user moved between LTE & CDMA coverage areas. The LTE-TDD mode, (TD-LTE) provides a futureproof evolutionary path for TD-SCDMA, another 3GPP standard. As a result we have with LTE one single global standard, which in turn will secure and drive even higher economies of scale and, importantly, also simplify roaming. 39 LTE network commitments worldwide GSA confirms in this report ( ) 39 LTE network commitments in 19 countries 14 LTE networks in service by end LTE networks in service by end 2012 LTE standardization is complete and approved by 3GPP within Release 8, and is the basis for initial LTE deployments worldwide. The LTE standard supports both FDD and TDD modes with the same specification and hardware components. LTE is on track, attracting global industry support. With the HSPA mobile broadband eco-system in GSA believes that over time LTE will be the choice for many more operators and be introduced according to business needs. This is especially the case where we count a large operator group as a single commitment, when it is feasible that there will be a number of deployments in different countries where that group operates, according to individual network deployment decisions. When firm plans are known, they will convert to new commitments. Several more operators are testing/trialling LTE and further announcements are expected. Infrastructure solutions now shipping typically offer an easy upgrade path to LTE. Availability of new spectrum, particularly in the 2.6 GHz and Digital Dividend bands, is a crucial factor for LTE deployments in many countries, as are regulatory conditions, and will determine deployment and launch dates in those markets. The purpose of this GSA report is to show which operators have now committed to LTE, which includes most leading mobile players today. 1

2 Spectrum for LTE deployments LTE can be deployed in existing 2G and 3G system spectrum, as well as utilize new spectrum such as 2.6 GHz currently being allocated in many parts of the world, and the 700 MHz band which was auctioned as part of the Digital Dividend, starting in the USA. Initial deployments in Japan are using 800 MHz, 1.5 GHz and 1.7 GHz depending on the operator, and according to the local situation. There is also high interest in opportunities for LTE deployments using frequencies released by spectrum re-farming, e.g. in the GSM 900 MHz band which is now being relaxed by regulators (e.g. in Europe) to enable mobile broadband services using technologies such as LTE. There are high expectations in Europe and elsewhere to access additional UHF bands from the Digital Dividend (800 MHz), to enable LTE to be globally deployed efficiently over large geographical areas, and improve in-building coverage. LTE ensures a smooth evolution from current 3GPP and 3GPP2 systems, and is a major step towards IMT-Advanced (i.e. 4G). LTE includes many features originally considered for a future 4G system and utilizes a new radio air interface technology - Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) to provide several key benefits, including significantly increased peak data rates, increased cell edge performance, reduced latency, scalable bandwidth, co-existence with GSM/EDGE/UMTS systems, and lower CAPEX/OPEX costs. Targets for LTE include: Instantaneous downlink peak data rate of at least 100 Mb/s within 20 MHz allocation (5 bps/hz) Instantaneous uplink peak data rate of 50 Mb/s (2.5 bps/hz within a 20MHz uplink allocation) Downlink: average user throughput per MHz, 3 to 4 times Release 6 HSDPA Uplink: average user throughput per MHz, 2-3 times Release 6 Enhanced Uplink E-UTRAN optimized for low mobile speed: 0-15 km/h. Higher mobile speed between km/h should be supported with high performance. Mobility across the cellular network shall be maintained at speeds 120 km/h-350 km/h (or even up to 500 km/h depending on the frequency band) Spectrum flexibility: scalable to operate in 1.4, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 MHz allocations: Uplink and downlink paired and unpaired Co-existence with GERAN/3G on adjacent channels; with other operators on adjacent channels; overlapping or adjacent spectrum at country borders; handover with UTRAN & GERAN LTE radio network products will incorporate several features that simplify building and management of next-generation networks. Plug-and-play, selfconfiguration and self-optimization simplify and reduce network rollout and management cost. LTE will be deployed alongside simplified, IP-based core and transport networks that are easier to build, maintain and introduce services on. Evolution of the 3GPP Core Network - SAE The 3GPP core network has also undergone System Architecture Evolution (SAE) in the same timeframe as LTE, optimizing it for packet mode and, in particular, for the IP-Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), which supports all access technologies, including fixed wire-line access. This allows: Improvements in latency, capacity, throughput Simplification of the core network, and optimization for IP traffic and services, and expected growth Simplified support & handover to non-3gpp access technologies The result is the evolved packet system (EPS) that consists of the core network part, the evolved packet core (EPC) and the radio network evolution part, the evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), i.e. LTE. The EPS is also standardized within 3GPP Release 8 (March 2009) and is the baseline for implementations. 2

3 LTE Network Commitments Global Status Verizon Wireless is using the 700 MHz band for LTE in the initial deployment phase. Trial networks are set up in Boston and Seattle, each with 10 LTE cell sites. Verizon Wireless has reported completion of its first successful LTE data call in Boston based on 3GPP Release 8, following similar successful completion of data calls in Seattle. Data calls involved streaming video, file uploads and downloads, and Web browsing. Verizon Wireless also reported successful data calls using VoIP enabling voice transmissions over the LTE network. Tests also confirmed latency reduced to 20 ms. Verizon Wireless plans LTE launches in up to 30 commercial markets by end 2010 (100 million pops), and nationwide by China Mobile is building its TD-SCDMA network so that cell sites and other elements may be re-used for the LTE network. The TD-LTE industrialization progress is reported to be on target. TD-LTE is promising to be commercially available Vodafone Germany is undertaking LTE testing in Germany in summer 2009, using digital dividend ( MHz) spectrum. The aim is to demonstrate LTE' s ability to provide mobile broadband coverage to rural and urban areas, and test compatibility with adjacent technologies including digital TV and radio. AT&T Mobility plans to deploy LTE in 700 MHz spectrum and has a contiguous band of 20 MHz for LTE across 82% of the population in the top 100 markets. AT&T Mobility plans to launch LTE in key markets during The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in Japan has approved the LTE deployment plans of NTT DoCoMo, emobile, Softbank Mobile and KDDI. Operators will use 1.5 GHz (DoCoMo and Softbank Mobile), 1.5 GHz MHz (KDDI), and 1.7 GHz (emobile). NTT DoCoMo recently stated that its commercial launch of LTE would be December The initial focus is targeted at PC usage and will be extended to dual-mode 3G/LTE handsets in By 2014 NTT DoCoMo plans to provide LTE service to 50% of the population from around 20,000 base stations at a cost of between 300bn and 400bn ($3.2bn to $4.2bn) Telstra confirmed LTE is on its roadmap Telecom New Zealand is also committed to LTE Telecom Italia plans to deploy LTE. New spectrum is not yet allocated/auctioned China Telecom plans to migrate to LTE TeliaSonera Mobile Networks AB Sweden is deploying LTE using nationwide 2 x 20 MHz 2.6 GHz spectrum. On May 25, 2009 TeliaSonera unveiled the world s first commercial LTE site, part of the LTE network scheduled to launch in Stockholm in TeliaSonera Norway (owner of NetCom) plans LTE commercial launch in Oslo in 2010 Tele2 Sweden and Telenor Sweden are jointly building an LTE network. The joint venture includes spectrum sharing in the 900 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands. Launch of LTE services is targeted for end 2010, or when modems are available. By 2013 the operators expect 99% of the Swedish population to have access to mobile broadband at speeds up to 80 Mbps in rural areas and up to 150 Mbps in urban areas. SK Telecom and KTF are deploying LTE systems with 2010 the likely commercial launch date for both France Telecom/Orange is engaged in LTE studies and trials, with deployment anticipated from 2011, subject to availability of (2.6 GHz) spectrum T-Mobile Germany anticipates LTE deployment from 2011, with trials this year. CenturyTel will deploy LTE in 700 MHz spectrum from MetroPCS, another US regional carrier, plans LTE launch in 2H US cable operator Cox has indicated plans to deploy LTE in 700 MHz spectrum from Aircell will launch LTE in 2011 to boost capacity of its in-flight network Bell Canada and Telus are jointly deploying a national HSPA network, which will later be upgraded to LTE. Rogers Wireless is conducting LTE trials 2 x 15 MHz blocks of 2.6 GHz FDD spectrum were recently auctioned in Hong Kong, and won each by: China Mobile (Peoples Phone) Genius Brand (Hutchison Telecom/PCCW jv) CSL Limited 3

4 CSL Limited has confirmed plans to deploy LTE in this new 2.6 GHz spectrum, and so too has PCCW. SmarTone-Vodafone plans to deploy LTE re-using its GSM (900/1800) spectrum in Hong Kong. Piltel is reported to have applied to the regulator for the remaining 3G licence in The Philippines, which it plans to use for LTE Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan has made a firm commitment to LTE, however the spectrum situation is not yet clear. GSA has been informed that deployment is expected to start from around 2012 Hutchison 3 Ireland is rolling out broadband under the National Broadband Scheme, which will supply broadband to the remaining 10% of Ireland s population and 33% of its land surface not currently having access to any broadband service. 3 Ireland is deploying HSPA, then HSPA+, and LTE from Telefonica Spain has conducted LTE field tests at its Madrid Demonstrations Center, achieving download speeds over 140 Mbps. Zain Bahrain announced in August 2009 plans to deploy LTE, the first announcement in the region, and confirmed the award an LTE infrastructure contract. T-Mobile Austria launched a 60-cell site pilot LTE network in Innsbruck in July Mobilkom Austria is also committed to LTE and has successfully showcased LTE technology. 3 Austria provided a live LTE demonstration at the European Forum in Alpbach, and on August 25, 2009 announced that upgrading of their entire network for LTE had begun, and that the company will have the technical capability to offer LTE to customers from Orange Austria announced a trial in Vienna Neustadt from. Austrian regulatory policy is not clearly stated. Operators are calling for the earliest release of new spectrum (2.6 GHz, 800 MHz/digital dividend) to permit deployments of LTE. In Chile, Movistar demonstrated LTE at Connect 2009, and Entel PCS is planning to test LTE shortly. (Note: these are not yet categorized as committed to LTE deployment for the purpose of this report). The Chilean regulator Subtel may launch an LTE spectrum auction by end of 2009, which may include both the 2.6 GHz and 700 MHz bands. Country Operator Anticipated LTE service launch USA Verizon Wireless Canada Telus 2010 Canada Bell Canada 2010 Japan NTT DoCoMo 2010 Japan emobile 2010 Norway TeliaSonera 2010 South Korea SK Telecom 2010 South Korea KTF 2010 Sweden TeliaSonera 2010 Sweden Telenor Sweden 2010 Sweden Tele2 Sweden 2010 USA MetroPCS 2010 USA CenturyTel 2010 Canada Rogers Wireless China China Mobile 2011 Germany T-Mobile 2011 Ireland Hutchison Japan Softbank Mobile 2011 Spain Telefonica O USA Cox 2011 USA AT&T Mobility 2011 USA Aircell 2011 Austria T Mobile Austria Mobilkom Austria Austria Hutchison Austria Orange China China Telecom France Orange New Zealand Telecom NZ Japan KDDI 2012 Taiwan Chunghwa Telecom 2012 Australia Telstra To be confirmed Bahrain Zain To be confirmed Hong Kong SmarTone-Vodafone To be confirmed Hong Kong PCCW To be confirmed Hong Kong CSL Limited To be confirmed Italy Telecom Italia To be confirmed Philippines Piltel To be confirmed Various Vodafone To be confirmed LTE operator commitments Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) Will HSPA+ deployments delay LTE rollout? GSA sees no evidence of HSPA+ uptake delaying commitments to deploy LTE. The success of HSPA and HSPA+ in delivering mobile broadband will fuel demand for more customers to be supported, and for even higher data throughputs for new applications, which LTE delivers. Many operators are expected to invest in both HSPA+ and LTE, with deployments usually being in different frequency bands (LTE will typically be in 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum initially). 4

5 LTE devices Mobile phones, computer and consumer electronic devices including notebooks, netbooks, ultra-mobile PCs, gaming devices, cameras, and PMPs will incorporate embedded LTE connectivity. LTE and multi-mode ICs and devices are scheduled to become available in Since the LTE standard supports hand-over and roaming to existing mobile networks, most if not all devices are expected to ensure ubiquitous mobile broadband coverage from day one. Some examples of LTE platforms already announced include: Ericsson M700 LTE-capable platform for commercial release in Products based on the M700 platform are expected in 2010 Qualcomm MDM 9200 and MDM 9600 LTE device chipsets, scheduled to sample in Q Infineon has sampled its LTE RF transceiver, the SMARTi LU Altair has announced it s LTE portfolio including a baseband processor and complementing MIMO RF transceiver chips to support world-wide LTE bands and duplex-modes LG has developed a handset LTE modem chip, and forecasts the first LTE mobile phones will likely reach the market in 2010 Samsung is collaborating with semiconductor manufacturer Sandbridge Technologies ST-NXP Wireless launched the Nexperia PNX6910 cellular system solution for LTE On August 21, 2009 Verizon Wireless released updated specifications for wireless devices that will run on its LTE network. The network access requirements contain key updates, clarifications and additions to guide developers into the next phase of bringing their products to the Verizon LTE network. Several test equipment manufacturers have announced and launched LTE test systems. Strategy Analytics forecasts the global LTE handset market will increase from 70 million sales units in 2012 to 150 million by ABI Research forecasts by 2013 operators will spend over $8.6 billion on LTE base stations infrastructure. For operators that have already deployed 3G networks, LTE will be a key CAPEX driver over the next five years." IPR Framework for LTE/SAE Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, NEC, NextWave Wireless, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks and Sony Ericsson announced in April 2008 a mutual commitment to a framework for establishing predictable and more transparent maximum aggregate costs for licensing intellectual property rights (IPR) that relate to LTE/SAE standards. The framework is based on the principle of fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing terms for essential patents. It means that the companies agree, subject to reciprocity, to reasonable, maximum aggregate royalty rates based on the value added by the technology in the end product, and to flexible licensing arrangements according to the licensors' proportional share of all standard essential IPR for the relevant product category. The companies agree a reasonable maximum aggregate royalty level for LTE essential IPR in handsets is a single-digit percentage of the sales price, while for notebooks with embedded LTE, a single-digit dollar amount is considered the maximum level. The NGMN Alliance approved LTE/SAE as its first NGMN compliant technology. NGMN Alliance plans to issue on September 3, 2009 a public Request for Information (RFI) on LTE Patent Pool Administration. LTE/SAE Trial Initiative ( Vendors and operators have joined forces under the LTE/SAE Trial Initiative to demonstrate the potential of LTE/SAE through joint tests, including radio performance, interoperability, field tests and full customer trials. Results feed into technology developments and standardization, help define/validate network launch plans, and also help to validate the emerging LTE ecosystem, including devices and applications. A Proof of Concept activity has consolidated measurements from leading equipment vendors to show that the industry's targets for performance are achievable. In addition to peak rates and minimum latency, results also reveal the 'real world' performance that operators will be able to offer to end-users. Results are available here: 5

6 Further evolution of LTE: IMT-Advanced 3GPP Technical Report was approved in June 2008 and contains requirements for the further advancements of the whole LTE system as the 3GPP candidate to meet the ITU requirements for an IMT- Advanced system (sometimes referred to as 4G). Mobile Broadband World, London, September GSA Mobile Broadband Forum, London, September 22 LTE Forum 2009, Lisbon October 8 More information about these and other events at Work on LTE-Advanced in 3GPP is well underway. The 3GPP Organizational Partners (i.e. the SDOs) made the initial technology submission to ITU-R on schedule this year. The Final Submission to ITU-R is required in October GPP is planning to complete LTE-Advanced specifications by 2010/2011 The European Commission (EC) has announced it will invest 18 million euros in 4G/LTE research. The EC will begin negotiating details with project consortia in September 2009 with new projects expected to start in January ETSI has registered LTE as a trademark for the benefit of the 3GPP Partners. GSA is a 3GPP Market Representation Partner. LTE conferences upcoming events supported by GSA include: LTE Asia, Hong Kong, September 8-9 GSA represents leading GSM/3G/WCDMA- HSPA/LTE suppliers worldwide, covering close to 100% of mobile market share. Industry professionals and organizations globally use as a single information resource, targeted to the industry, for authoritative facts, market intelligence, objective analysis and information. Interaction and enhanced information-sharing with network operators is facilitated by the Operators Zone for immediate global reach, and seminars and relationship events, including the GSA Mobile Broadband Forum. GSA advises governments, regulators and policy-makers on optimum conditions for market development. Briefings are given to media and analysts. GSA is a 3GPP Market Representation Partner and cooperates with other key organizations worldwide Register on the GSA website to download reports, surveys, papers, charts etc. at GSA website: RSS newsfeed: GSA on Twitter: dotmobi site: LTE/mobile broadband- related charts, maps GSA makes considerable effort to ensure that the content is accurate; however, such content is provided without warranty in currentness, completeness or correctness. Reproduction of this material for non-commercial use is allowed if the source is stated. For other use please contact the GSA Secretariat via to info@gsacom.com 6