Abstract
Product overview
“Cellular infrastructure vendors are strongly promoting new network
enhancements, such as HSPA+ and LTE, and there is much hype about these. In
our report, we model the realistic capabilities of each technology,
determining whether they will be required or not, in order to define the
optimum network evolution path for mobile operators.”Dr Mark
Heath, Analysys Associate
3G networks are still relatively new; just 6% of GSM/UMTS subscribers were on
3G networks at September 2007. In spite of this, the 3GPP standards body has
already planned a series of enhancements to UMTS, which will increase
throughput and capacity, improve coverage and decrease system delay. These
enhancements include HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+ and LTE. Cellular infrastructure
vendors are strongly promoting these enhancements to drive their sales, but
there is uncertainty about what these technologies will realistically deliver
and when, and if, they should be deployed.
3G Network Evolution from 2007 to 2012: HSPA+, LTE, WiMAX and femtocells
investigates the evolution options for mobile network operators, in order to
identify the realistic timescales and capabilities of 3G enhancements. It
considers how 3G network evolution will be affected by a number of key
developments, including indoor base stations (especially femtocells),
broadcasting networks (such as DVB-H), alternative wireless broadband
technologies (such as WiMAX) and the emergence of network sharing.
3G Network Evolution from 2007 to 2012: HSPA+, LTE, WiMAX and femtocells
reviews the current state of HSDPA and the services offered by operators, and
then considers each of the key 3G enhancements, quantifying the services and
customer usage profiles that can realistically be supported. The report models
a typical 3G network in order to evaluate the match between service
requirements and network capabilities, considering usage of each service type
and the split of indoor and outdoor use. The report considers the best choice
of 3G evolution path and assesses the broader implications of this for mobile
network operators and equipment vendors.
3G Network Evolution from 2007 to 2012: HSPA+, LTE, WiMAX and femtocells answers your key questions:
- What is the current state of deployment of 3G technology and enhancements?
- What are the technology evolution options for 3G network operators?
- What are the realistic capabilities of HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+ and LTE in a
typical network implementation?
- How will the advent of femtocells and broadcasting networks affect 3G
technology choices by cellular network operators?
- Which enhancement represents the best choice for operators: HSPA+ or LTE?
- Is LTE a better choice than WiMAX, and how strong is the business case for
LTE? Will there be a role for WiMAX as 3G networks evolve?
- How does the emergence of network sharing affect network evolution?
- What are the implications for equipment vendors, in terms of product sales?
Who should read this report
- Mobile network operators: senior executives, technology and
marketing managers, in order to understand the technology evolution options,
the fit with service strategy and the major strategic implications of new
developments such as femtocells and broadcasting networks.
- Cellular equipment vendors: senior executives and product managers,
in order to understand the likely investment strategy of mobile network
operators.
- Regulators: senior analysts, in order to understand the
implications of network investment on spectrum requirements.
- Analysts and investors: in order to understand the potential for
picocells and femtocells in the enterprise market.
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