PETALING JAYA: The increasing use of mobile broadband has prompted telecommunications service providers to look at fourth generation (4G) technologies.Some operators are now conducting trials on 4G LTE (long-term evolution) technologies, which is the next evolution path for 3G networks.
Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd (P1) is one of them riding on the 4G bandwagon and expects to conduct commercial trials using LTE technology by year-end.According to Analysys Mason Pte Ltd partner Amrish Kacker, the LTE time division duplex (LTE-TDD) and LTE frequency division duplex (LTE-FDD) are the most practical evolution paths towards 4G technology. He expects WiMAX operators to adopt LTE-TDD going forward as it offers better system upgrading (the technology provides higher data rates, larger capacity and is also able to decrease service delay).
LTE-FDD, on the other hand, is seen as an “evolution path” for 3G players. “Most of the spectrum for 4G has already been allocated but the actual ability for the usage of the spectrum is only going to be in 2013,” Amrish told a media briefing organised by Packet One recently.
He said China Mobile Ltd and Reliance Infotel from India were driving LTE-TDD technology to create a full mobility ecosystem, and that China Mobile had implemented large-scale LTE-TDD trials in six cities with a population greater than 100 million people each in both 2.3 gigahertz (GHz) and 2.6GHz bands.
ZTE Corp TDD marketing director Dr Han Gang pointed out that 156 operators in 64 countries would deploy LTE technolgy and at least 55 LTE networks would be commercially launched by end-2012.
ZTE is P1's 4G network partner as well as a telecommunications equipment and network solutions provider.
On the prospects for 4G, Amrish noted that mobile broadband and mobile Internet revenues were the fastest growing product segments in Malaysia last year, compared with 2009, adding that 4G would fulfil the need for more capacity and faster services.
According Analysys Mason's estimation, the market size for mobile broadband (dongle) had increased from RM700mil in 2009 to RM1.4bil in 2010, which represented an increase of 99%. The market size for mobile Internet rose 24% to RM1.8bil in 2010, from RM1.5bil in 2009.
Analysys Mason is an adviser on telecoms, technology and media. It offers strategic advice, operations support and market intelligence in over 80 countries.
P1 said it would upgrade its current WiMAX network to LTE-TDD, probably by the end of 2012.
CEO Michael Lai said there were 17.25 million WiMAX subscribers and over 582 WiMAX operators worldwide. As for LTE there were only 320,000 subscribers and 17 operators globally, he said.
Lai said before rolling out LTE, various factors had to be assessed, including the readiness of the eco-system.
“Without compatible and affordable devices, consumers will not be able to fully leverage on the power of an LTE network,” he said, adding that the company would have to obtain the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) approval to roll out LTE services.
“We submitted our detailed business plan to MCMC a few months ago for the 20 megahertz of 2.6GHz spectrum that is meant for LTE or 4G. It will go many rounds of fine-tuning before obtaining the approval,” he said.
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