Cellular Technology Background

2G (Second-generation wireless)
2G is short for second-generation wireless telephone technology. Second generation 2G cellular telecom networks were commercially launched on the GSM standard in Finland by Radiolinja (now part of Elisa Oyj) in 1991. Three primary benefits of 2G networks over their predecessors were that phone conversations were digitally encrypted; 2G systems were significantly more efficient on the spectrum allowing for far greater mobile phone penetration levels; and 2G introduced data services for mobile, starting with SMS text messages.

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After 2G was launched, the previous mobile telephone systems were retrospectively dubbed 1G. While radio signals on 1G networks are analog, radio signals on 2G networks are digital. Both systems use digital signaling to connect the radio towers (which listen to the handsets) to the rest of the telephone system. 2G has been superseded by newer technologies such as 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, and 4G; however, 2G networks are still used in many parts of the world. 2G technologies 2G technologies can be divided into TDMA-based and CDMA-based standards depending on the type of multiplexing used. The main 2G standards are:

GSM (TDMA-based), originally from Europe but used in almost all countries on all six inhabited continents. Today accounts for over 80% of all subscribers around the world. Over 60 GSM operators are also using CDMA2000 in the 450 MHz frequency band (CDMA450). [2]

IS-95 aka cdmaOne (CDMA-based, commonly referred as simply CDMA in the US), used in the Americas and parts of Asia. Today accounts for about 17% of all subscribers globally. Over a dozen CDMA operators have migrated to GSM including operators in Mexico, India, Australia and South Korea.

PDC (TDMA-based), used exclusively in Japan iDEN (TDMA-based), proprietary network used by Nextel in the United States and Telus Mobility in Canada

IS-136 a.k.a. D-AMPS (TDMA-based, commonly referred as simply 'TDMA' in the US), was once prevalent in the Americas but most have migrated to GSM.

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2G Capacity Using digital signals between the handsets and the towers increases system capacity in two key ways:

Digital voice data can be compressed and multiplexed much more effectively than analogue voice encodings through the use of various codecs, allowing more calls to be packed into the same amount of radio bandwidth.

The digital systems were designed to emit less radio power from the handsets. This meant that cells had to be smaller, so more cells had to be placed in the same amount of space. This was made possible by cell towers and related equipment getting less expensive.

Advantages of 2G

The lower power emissions helped address health concerns. Going all-digital allowed for the introduction of digital data services, such as SMS and email.

Greatly reduced fraud. With analog systems it was possible to have two or more "cloned" handsets that had the same phone number.

Enhanced privacy. A key digital advantage not often mentioned is that digital cellular calls are much harder to eavesdrop on by use of radio scanners. While the security algorithms used have proved not to be as secure as initially advertised, 2G phones are immensely more private than 1G phones, which have no protection against eavesdropping.

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Disadvantages of 2G

In less populous areas, the weaker digital signal may not be sufficient to reach a cell tower. This tends to be a particular problem on 2G systems deployed on higher frequencies, but is mostly not a problem on 2G systems deployed on lower frequencies. National regulations differ greatly among countries which dictate where 2G can be deployed.

Analog has a smooth decay curve, digital a jagged steppy one. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Under good conditions, digital will sound better. Under slightly worse conditions, analog will experience static, while digital has occasional dropouts. As conditions worsen, though, digital will start to completely fail, by dropping calls or being unintelligible, while analog slowly gets worse, generally holding a call longer and allowing at least a few words to get through.

While digital calls tend to be free of static and background noise, the lossy compression used by the codecs takes a toll; the range of sound that they convey is reduced. You will hear less of the tonality of someone's voice talking on a digital cellphone, but you will hear it more clearly.

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3G (third-generation wireless)

3G or 3rd generation mobile telecommunications is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000) specifications by the International Telecommunication Union. Application services include wide-area wireless voice telephone, mobile Internet access, video calls and mobile TV, all in a mobile environment. Several telecommunications companies market wireless mobile Internet services as 3G, indicating that the advertised service is provided over a 3G wireless network. Services advertised as 3G are required to meet IMT-2000 technical standards, including standards for reliability and speed (data transfer rates). To meet the IMT-2000 standards, a system is required to provide peak data rates of at least 200 kbit/s (about 0.2 Mbit/s). However, many services advertised as 3G provide higher speed than the minimum technical requirements for a 3G service. Recent 3G releases, often denoted 3.5G and 3.75G, also provide mobile broadband access of several Mbit/s to smartphones and mobile modems in laptop computers.

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The following standards are typically branded 3G:

the UMTS system, first offered in 2001, standardized by 3GPP, used primarily in Europe, Japan, China (however with a different radio interface) and other regions predominated by GSM 2G system infrastructure. The cell phones are typically UMTS and GSM hybrids. Several radio interfaces are offered, sharing the same infrastructure:
o o

The original and most widespread radio interface is called W-CDMA. The TD-SCDMA radio interface was commercialised in 2009 and is only offered in China.

The latest UMTS release, HSPA+, can provide peak data rates up to 56 Mbit/s in the downlink in theory (28 Mbit/s in existing services) and 22 Mbit/s in the uplink.

the CDMA2000 system, first offered in 2002, standardized by 3GPP2, used especially in North America and South Korea, sharing infrastructure with the IS95 2G standard. The cell phones are typically CDMA2000 and IS-95 hybrids. The latest release EVDO Rev B offers peak rates of 14.7 Mbit/s downstream.

3G History

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The first pre-commercial 3G network was launched by NTT DoCoMo in Japan in 1998 branded as FOMA. It was first available in May 2001 as a pre-release (test) of W-CDMA technology. The first commercial launch of 3G was also by NTT DoCoMo in Japan on 1 October 2001, although it was initially somewhat limited in scope; broader availability of the system was delayed by apparent concerns over its reliability. The first European pre-commercial network was an UMTS network on the Isle of Man by Manx Telecom, the operator then owned by British Telecom, and the first commercial network (also UMTS based W-CDMA) in Europe was opened for business by Telenor in December 2001 with no commercial handsets and thus no paying customers. The first network to go commercially live was by SK Telecom in South Korea on the CDMA-based 1xEV-DO technology in January 2002. By May 2002 the second South Korean 3G network was by KT on EV-DO and thus the Koreans were the first to see competition among 3G operators. The first commercial United States 3G network was by Monet Mobile Networks, on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO technology, but this network provider later shut down operations. The second 3G network operator in the USA was Verizon Wireless in July 2002 also on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO. AT&T Mobility is also a true 3G UMTS network, having completed its upgrade of the 3G network to HSUPA.

The first pre-commercial demonstration network in the southern hemisphere was built in Adelaide, South Australia by m.Net Corporation in February 2002 using

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UMTS on 2100 MHz. This was a demonstration network for the 2002 IT World Congress. The first commercial 3G network was launched by Hutchison

Telecommunications branded as Three or "3" in J June 2003.Emtel Launched the first 3G network in Africa. By June 2007, the 200 millionth 3G subscriber had been connected. Out of 3 billion mobile phone subscriptions worldwide this is only 6.7%. In the countries where 3G was launched first Japan and South Korea 3G penetration is over 70%. In Europe the leading country is Italy with a third of its subscribers migrated to 3G. Other leading countries by 3G migration include UK, Austria, Australia and Singapore at the 20% migration level. A confusing statistic is counting CDMA2000 1x RTT customers as if they were 3G customers. If using this definition, then the total 3G subscriber base would be 475 million at June 2007 and 15.8% of all subscribers worldwide.

Adoption
3G was relatively slow to be adopted globally. In some instances, 3G networks do not use the same radio frequencies as 2G so mobile operators must build entirely new networks and license entirely new frequencies, especially so to achieve high-end data transmission rates. Other delays were due to the expenses of upgrading transmission hardware, especially for UMTS, whose deployment required the replacement of most broadcast towers. Due to these issues and difficulties with deployment, many carriers were not able to or delayed acquisition of these updated capabilities. In December 2007, 190 3G networks were operating in 40 countries and 154

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HSDPA networks were operating in 71 countries, according to the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA). In Asia, Europe, Canada and the USA,

telecommunication companies use W-CDMA technology with the support of around 100 terminal designs to operate 3G mobile networks. Roll-out of 3G networks was delayed in some countries by the enormous costs of additional spectrum licensing fees. (See Telecoms crash.) The license fees in some European countries were particularly high, bolstered by government auctions of a limited number of licenses and sealed bid auctions, and initial excitement over 3G's potential. The 3G standard is perhaps well known because of a massive expansion of the mobile communications market post-2G and advances of the consumer mophone. An especially notable development during this time is the smartphone (for example, the iPhone, and the Android family), combining the abilities of a PDA with a mobile phone, leading to widespread demand for mobile internet connectivity. 3G has also introduced the term "mobile broadband" because its speed and capability make it a viable alternative for internet browsing, and USB Modems connecting to 3G networks are becoming increasingly common.

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4G (fourth-generation wireless)
Technology is improving day by day. When talking about 4G, question comes to our mind is what is 4G Technology. 4G is the short name for fourth-generation wireless, the stage of broadband mobile communications that will super cede the third generation (3G ). The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) official name for 4G is "3G and beyond". But at this time nobody exactly knows the true 4G definition. Some people say that 4G technology is the future technologies that are mostly in their maturity period. The 4G system was originally envisioned by the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The DARPA selected the distributed architecture, end-toend Internet protocol (IP), and believed at an early stage in peer-to-peer networking in which every mobile device would be both a transceiver and a router for other devices in the network eliminating the spoke-and-hub weakness of 2G and 3G cellular systems. Cellular systems such as 4G allow seamless mobility; thus a file transfer is not interrupted in case a terminal moves from one cell (one base station coverage area) to another, but handover is carried out. The terminal also keeps the same IP address while moving, meaning that a mobile server is reachable as long as it is within the coverage area of any server. In 4G systems this mobility is provided by the mobile IP protocol, part of IP version 6, and while in earlier cellular generations it was only provided by physical layer and data link layer protocols. In addition to seamless mobility, 4G provides flexible interoperability of the various kinds of existing wireless networks, such as satellite, cellular wireless, WLAN, PAN and systems for accessing fixed wireless networks.

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While maintaining seamless mobility, 4G will offer very high data rates with expectations of 100 Mbit/s wireless services. The increased bandwidth and higher data transmission rates will allow 4G users the ability to utilize high definition video and the video conferencing features of mobile devices attached to a 4G network. The 4G wireless system is expected to provide a comprehensive IP solution where multimedia applications and services can be delivered to the user on an 'Anytime, Anywhere' basis with a satisfactory high data rate, premium quality and high security. The wireless telecommunications industry as a whole has early assumed the term 4G as a shorthand way to describe those advanced cellular technologies. Ideally, 4G would provide users with on demand high quality video and audio. The killer application of 4G is not clear, but video is one of the big differences between 4G and 3G. 4G may use OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), and also OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) to better allocate network resources to multiple users. 4G devices may use SDR (Software-defined radio) receivers which allows for better use of available bandwidth as well as making use of multiple channels simultaneously. Although carriers still differ about whether to build 4G data networks using Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access WiMAX, all carriers seem to agree that OFDM is one of the chief indicators that a service can be legitimately marketed as being 4G. OFDM is a type of digital modulation in which a signal is split into several narrowband channels at different frequencies. This is more efficient than TDMA, which divides channels into time slots and has multiple users take turns transmitting bursts or CDMA, which simultaneously transmits multiple

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signals on the same channel. Below are some of the Principal technologies used in 4G technology. The Physical layer transmission techniques are as follows:
o

MIMO: To attain ultra high spectral efficiency by means of spatial processing including multi-antenna and multi-user MIMO

Frequency-domain-equalization, for example Multi-carrier modulation (OFDM) in the downlink or single-carrier frequency-domain-equalization (SC-FDE) in the uplink: To exploit the frequency selective channel property without complex equalization.

Frequency-domain statistical multiplexing, for example (OFDMA) or (Single-carrier FDMA) (SC-FDMA, a.k.a. Linearly preceded OFDMA, LP-OFDMA) in the uplink: Variable bit rate by assigning different subchannels to different users based on the channel conditions

Turbo principle error-correcting codes: To minimize the required SNR at the reception side

Other principle technology used is Channel-dependent scheduling used to utilize the time-varying channel. Link adaptation is to adaptive modulation and errorcorrecting codes. Relaying, including fixed relay networks (FRNs), and the cooperative relaying concept, known as multi-mode protocol For 4G standards, setting peak speed requirements for 4G service at 100 Mbit/s for high mobility communication (such as from trains and cars) and 1 Gbit/s for low mobility communication (such as pedestrians and stationary users).

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A 4G system is expected to provide a comprehensive and secure all-IP based mobile broadband solution to laptop computer wireless modems, smartphones, and other mobile devices. Facilities such as ultra-broadband Internet access, IP telephony, gaming services, and streamed multimedia may be provided to users. 4G is being developed to accommodate the quality of service (QoS) and rate requirements set by further development of existing 3G applications like mobile broadband access, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), video chat, mobile TV, but also new services like HDTV. 4G may allow roaming with wireless local area networks, and may interact with digital video broadcasting systems. In this kind of system, the scientific knowledge is seen with a combination of with and without wire. If this 4G technology is available for the people, one can transfer about 100 mega bytes per second if it is in house or in office and in the same way, 1 giga byte per second in out stations. It is possible to utilize the opportunities like wireless broadband access, multimedia messaging service, video chat, mobile TV and high definition TV without any interruption in services. There is also a facility to download not only video songs but also the movies which are available in number of Giga Bytes. The data using 4G scientific technology can be downloaded more when compared to that of 200 times than 2G and 10 times more than with 3G. In the same way, the information can be uplinked with a speed of 20 megabytes per second with 4G. When compared with the normal Asymmetric digital subscriber line, the information that is uplinked will be 10-20 times more. 4G is described as MAGIC: mobile multimedia, any-time anywhere, global mobility support, integrated wireless solution, and customized personal service. Some

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key features (primarily from users' points of view) of 4G mobile networks are:

High usability: anytime, anywhere, and with any technology Support for multimedia services at low transmission cost Personalization Integrated services Below shows the evolution path toward the 4G technology with high mobility

and high date transmission rate.

When fully implemented, 4G is expected to enable pervasive computing, in which simultaneous connections to multiple high-speed networks will provide seamless handoffs throughout a geographical area. Coverage enhancement technologies such as femtocell and picocell are being developed to address the needs of mobile users in homes, public buildings and offices, which will free up network resources for mobile users who are roaming or who are in more remote service areas. The expectation for

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the 4G technology is basically the high quality audio/video streaming over end to end Internet Protocol. If the Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia sub-system movement achieves what it going to do, nothing of this possibly will matter. WiMAX or mobile structural design will become progressively more translucent, and therefore the acceptance of several architectures by a particular network operator ever more common.

Technological Drivers for 4G

About

Officially know as the 3GPP Long Term Evolution which is the latest standard under the technology tree that produces the current GSM technology. Marketed as 4G but is actually a pre-4G standard to the precursor of LTE Advanced. Designed to be forward compatible with LTE Advanced using the same frequency bands but is not backward compatible with existing 3G systems. Supports MBMS multimedia services Uses MIMO multiple antenna technology No soft handover, Intra-RAT handovers with UTRAN Simpler E-UTRAN architecture; no RNC, no CS domain, no DCH

Bandwidth

pTheoretical download rates of 326.4 Mbit/s for 4x4 antennae, and 172.8 Mbit/s for 2x antennae (utilizing 20 MHz of spectrum). Theoretical upload rates of 86.4 Mbit/s for every 20 MHz of spectrum using a single antenna.

Long Term Evaluation (LTE)

Spectra

Capable of supporting up to 200 users per 5MHz. Spectrum flexibility to scale channel size from 1.4 MHz to 20 MHz 700 and 1900 MHz in North America; 900, 1800, 2600 MHz in Europe; 1800 and 2600 MHz in Asia; 1800 MHz in Australia.

Range

33 At 900MHz band, range from 5km (optimum) to 100km (acceptable) At 2.6GHz band, typical range is 1km.

LTE Network Architecture

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How LTE (Long Term Evolution) Works

As communication is a natural urge of human beings so he is constantly struggling to improve the ways of fastest communication, LTE technology is the result of such struggle. Introduction of LTE technology is not less than a miracle as it is supposed to work at a 150 mbps speed while a data can be downloaded at 70 mbps speed.

LTEs Providers Aspect

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Another plus point of LTE technology is that it will lend a hand to 3G network service providers CDMA and GSM via current spectrum and increase their workability by speed up to 20 mbps as using the radio wave mechanism. It will not clash with the 3G services and will be able to use the same infrastructure for its functions. LTE travels like radio waves with extra ordinary speed through the same bandwidth transfers large amount of data. With the addition of LTE technology with previous network more information could be send hence not only lower the cost but also no need to set up a new network. There could be an adjustment on part of service provider by placing the LTE on priority and the other services in time. It is under consideration that LTEs independent set up will enhance the proficiency of data transferring with additional features such as TV and multimedia applications. Business will also take new dimensions, you can think about having a mobile office. LTE technology will provide a platform for the different departments of a worldwide business at one point through mobile internet.

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access

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(WIMAX)

About

WiMax is a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL. Officially designated under the IEEE 802.16 standard. Designed as an extension of the Wi-Fi technology giving further range for broadband connections, cellular backhaul, hotspots. Most commercial deployments cater for Mobile WIMAX. WiMax eliminates the constraints of Wi-Fi. Unlike Wi-Fi, WiMax is intended to work outdoors over long distance WiMax is a more Complex technology and has to handle issues of importance such as QoS guarantees, carrier-class reliability, NLOS. WiMax is not intended to replace Wi-Fi.Instead, the two technologies complement each other

Bandwidth

Theoretical maximum speeds of up to 75 Mbit/s (utilizing 20 MHz of spectrum). Latest ratification of the 802.16m standard (WIMAX-2) capable to reach speeds of 300Mbit/s.

Spectra

Spectrum flexibility to scale channel size from 5MHz, 8.75MHz or 10MHz. 2.5GHz in North America; 2.3GHz 3.5GHz in Asia.

Range

Theoretically capable up to 50km depending on frequency and line of sight. Typical deployment at 5-8 km range.

WiMAX, with its relatively superior performance and lower cost structure is,

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perhaps, the answer to broadband proliferation problem. WiMAX was evolved for highspeed wireless data access (fixed and mobile) as compared to currently deployed cellular technologies that were developed for voice. WiMAX:

Enables a faster wireless broadband service WiMAX Release 1.0 has a higher peak rate and two to three times greater down link (DL) sector throughput than HSPA Release 613, which means higher data transfer capacity in the same quantum of spectrum allotted

Has a lower cost structure (CAPEX and operating costs):

An all IP, flat

network architecture; With the adoption of globally harmonized spectrum bands14 for BWA, costs of equipment (operator and customer premises) will remain low due to significant economies of scale achieved through a welldeveloped global ecosystem; and Has the highest spectral efficiency

Is scalable by ten times for speed capability and three times for spectral efficiency improvements, and has a defined evolution path for 802.16m with minimal upgrade costs, thus protecting investments made for todays 802.16e. With superior data delivery performance at a lower cost as compared to 3G technologies available today, WiMAX provides a cost-effective solution to mass proliferation of high- speed broadband

How WiMAX Works

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In practical terms, WiMAX operates similarly to WiFi but:

1. At higher speeds, 2. Over greater distances, and 3. For a greater number of users.

WiMAX could potentially erase the suburban and rural blackout areas that currently have no broadband Internet access because phone and cable companies have not yet run the necessary wires to those remote locations. A WiMAX system consists of two parts:
1. A WiMAX tower, similar in concept to a cell-phone tower - A single WiMAX

tower can provide coverage to a very large area -- as big as 3,000 square miles (~8,000 square km).
2. A WiMAX receiver - The receiver and antenna could be a small box or PCMCIA

card, or they could be built into a laptop the way WiFi access is today. A WiMAX tower station can connect directly to the Internet using a high-bandwidth, wired connection (for example, a T3 line). It can also connect to another WiMAX tower using a line-of-sight, microwave link. This connection to a second tower (often referred to as a backhaul), along with the ability of a single tower to cover up to 3,000 square miles, is what allows WiMAX to provide coverage to remote rural areas.

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Difference Between LTE and WiMax

Aspect

Mobile Wimax (IEEE802.16)

LTE (3GPP) UTRAN moving towards all IP Evolved UTRA CN with IMS OFDMA SC-FDMA

Core Network Access Technology : Downlink (DL) Uplink (UL) Frequency Band

All IP network OFDMA

2.3 -2.4 GHz, 2.496 2.69 GHz, 3.3. 3.8 GHz 75Mbps 2TX 2RX) 25Mbps 5, 8.75, 10Mhz (MIMO

Existing and new frequemcy bands (~2GHz)

Bitrate : DL UL Channel Bandwidth

100 Mbps (MIMO 2TX 2RX) 50Mbps 1.25-20MHz

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Cell Radius Cell Capacity Spectral Efficiency Mobility : Speed Handovers Legacy MIMO: DL UL No of code words Standardization Coverage

2 7km 100 200 users 3.75 bits/sec/Hz

5km >200 users @ 5MHz >400 users for larger bandwidth 5 bits/sec/Hz

Up to 12km/hr Optimized handover IEEE802.16a through 16d 2Tx X 2Rx 1Tx X NRx (Collaborative SM)

Up to 250km/hr hard Inter-cell soft handover supported GSM/GPRS/EGPRS/UMTS/HSPA

2Tx X 2Rx 2Tx X 2Rx

1 IEEE802.16 e-2005 RAN (PHY + MAC) + CN PHY and MAC CN standardization in Wimax Forum New Auto through existing GSM/UMTS 2007 2010 2012

Roaming Framework Schedule Forecast : Standard complete Initial Deployment Mass market

2005 2007 through 2008 2009

Table 1: Mobile WiMax and LTE comparison

The parameters shown in Table 1 show that the Mobile WiMax and 3GPP-LTE standards are technically similar. One difference between LTE and WiMAX is that they

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function on different frequencies, making their deployment slightly different. WiMAX is made to work with new deployments, while LTE is made for existing mobile and broadband deployments. Between LTE and WiMAX, LTE is slightly faster and WiMAX is slightly easier to set up. The number of simultaneous users affects any carrier, because more users need more bandwidth; LTE is slightly more affected by the number of users than WiMAX. LTE and WiMAX are both capable of working with new and existing broadband and mobile deployments. At the same time, LTE is meant to work with existing systems and tends to be better at integrating existing networks. WiMAX is meant more for new deployments and networks.

Following this observation, we may conclude that Mobile Wimax and LTEAnvanced are both have similar characteristics. Both technologies provide sufficient solutions as well as future extensions to the current approaches. Therefore both technologies are assured of a good future.

In Malaysia, DiGi will be the first mobile service provider to provide LTE (Long Term Evolution) wireless broadband service in Malaysia. This brand new network will be immediately capable of delivering download speeds of up to 42Mbps using HSPA+ and thereafter up to 4 times faster when the 4G/LTE (Long Term Evolution) spectrum becomes available.

Another example, Proton collaborate with YTL's YES 4G to build in a WiFi in

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Protons car. The partnership will integrate future Proton models with Yes high-speed mobile 4G connectivity, beginning with new Proton sedan, Proton Preve which has just launched on 16th April 2012. This service that has built-in YES 4G connections is to enable its driver and passengers enjoy broadband services in the car. The Internet service is delivered via a portable Yes 4G Huddle, which can support up to five devices. Yes 4G currently covers 65 percent of the 960 km North South Highway, and a large portion of the East-Cost Expressway.

Furthermore, in 25th November 2011 YTL's YES 4G also announced its collaboration with Samsung Malaysia Electronics (SME) Sdn. Bhd., a leading mobile phone provider, to offer the best in mobility and performance. In conjunction with the launch of the Samsung GALAXY Tab 8.9, Yes and Samsung are offering a special package that combines Malaysias fastest 4G mobile router, the Yes Huddle, with Samsungs latest tablet, the GALAXY Tab 8.9.

WIMAX

LTE

P1 WIMAX (Green Packet) 4G Players in Malaysia YES (YTL) 4G REDtone Amax (Asiaspace)

Maxis (trials started) Celcom (trials started) P1 (announced plans to switch)

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Spectrum Allocation in Malaysia

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WIMAX Spectrum Allocation in the 2.3GHz Band

LTE/4G Spectrum Allocation in the 2.5/2.6GHz Band

White Space

700MHz/800MHz

US FCC has recently approved the use of spare guard band spectrum from TV broadcast for use. IEEE 802.11AF is in the process of approval for Wi-Fi to use White Space spectrum.

Analog TV bands to be available for mobile cellular /broadbandusage once migration to digital TV is complete.

HSPA+

Wi-Fi Offloads

Used primarily as a bridge from 3G to 4G. Emerging Technology Trends From actual field tests done, speeds obtained can match LTE & WIMAX speeds under certain conditions. Easy to upgrade from existing 33 infrastructure.

Trend in Europe to gain the capability to offload cellular connectivity to existing carrier owned Wi-Fi networks. Allows for easing of congestion on urban cellular networks.

Communication Standards

Conclusion

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In conclusion, its known that technology advances so fast. In every 8 to 10 years we see new technologies in the mobile market, first came the 1G, after few years 2G came to surface, then 3G, nowadays the very popular and many say super fast technology 4G. As the history of mobile communications shows, attempts have been made to reduce a number of Technologies to a single global standard. The first generation (1G) has fulfilled the basic mobile voice, while the second generation (2G) has introduced capacity and coverage. This is followed by the third generation (3G), which has quest for data at higher speeds to open the gates for truly mobile broadband experience, which will be further realized by the fourth generation (4G). This latest and more enhanced technology will provide a unique experience to its users. As we know that 4G technology is still being fully developed and aims to provide fastest transfer rates maximum 1Gbps, now we cant even compare how much next generation will offer. 3GPP Long Term Evolution has a large amount of potential to become the technology of the future whose success will definitely guarantee that #GPP has a significant edge over all its competitors. With the LTE-Advanced also adopting SCFDMA as the uplink technology, SC-FDMA seems to be an important future technology and it is expected that the future would see a lot of research activity in this field. LTE and LTE Advanced together seem to be very promising in fulfilling all the requirements set forth by ITU for IMT Advanced. WiMAX transitional costs are expected to be lower than any other comparable 4G technology. LTE is adopting technology and features like OFDMA already available with Mobile WiMAX. Mobile WiMAX provides a simple, all-IP flat network, with all

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Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) protocols, which will only be available in LTE and LTE advanced and not in existing cellular technologies such as 3G, which are circuit-switched. Further, an LTE network is a more complex multi-layer network

burdened with proprietary 3G cellular protocols that will make it more expensive to operate. A major advantage WiMAX offers is lower cost of IP, allowing new entrants

to compete with major telecom vendors and bring innovative and lower cost devices to market. Further, the Open Patent Alliance (OPA) formed by Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Clearwire, Intel, Samsung, Sprint, Alvarion and Huwaei22 with the objective of offering an Intellectual Property Rights solution that will further support competitive development and widespread adoption of WiMAX worldwide is another big plus for WiMAX in lowering the cost of broadband solutions.

Discussion
WiMAX emerges as the quintessential answer to these problems, given its superior performance and lower costs defined evolutionary path give it an edge over

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other cellular technologies as compared to the existing 3G technologies and futuristic Long Term Evolution (LTE) equivalents further, its well developed global ecosystem and consequent aggressive device pricing will prevent it from suffering from the initial hiccups in mass adoption faced by cellular technologies in the 1990s. WiMAX was developed for high-speed wireless BB data access and is a 4G technology available today at 3G prices. It presents an ideal choice to Telecommunications for providing high-speed wireless broadband at affordable rates and for the government to meet its growth and social objectives. WiMAX is poised to deliver high-speed wireless broadband at lower costs that will aide mass adoption and thus alleviate problems faced by Malaysias broadband market. Delays in implementing BWA policy and WiMAX adoption are not only denying the diaspora of a cost-effective, high-quality broadband solution but also represent a losing opportunity the opportunity for Malaysia to leapfrog other developed nations, given the correlation between broadband proliferation and economic progress of countries.

REFERENCES: [1] C.Kwang-Cheng and J. Roberto B. De Marca, Mobile Wimax, John Wiley& Sons, 2008, page 712721.

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[2] E. Mustafa, Mobile Broadband: Including WiMAX and LTE, Springer, 2009, page 21-30 [3] News & Events, Yes and Samsung To Offer The Best Value in Performance and Mobility 14/04/2012]. [4] M Etoh ,Next Generation Mobile Systems: 3G and Beyond, Wiley 2005. [5] TeliaSonera , first in the world with 4G services , 2009-12-14. [6] ITU. "ITU Radiocommunication Assembly approves new developments for its 3G standards". press release. Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2009. [7] ITU. "What really is a Third Generation (3G)(3G) Mobile Technology" (PDF). Archived from the original on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2009. [8] Clint Smith, Daniel Collins. "3G Wireless Networks", page 136. 2000. [9] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G [10] http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/4G [11] http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/4G [12] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G [13]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/mobile-phones/8814007/Britains-first-4Gtrial-begins.html [14] http://www.freewimaxinfo.com/4g.html http://www.ytlcomms.my/EN/news_details.aspx?id=113 [accessed

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