KDDI, Qualcomm and NSN show their LTE hands early
Published: 4 December, 2008
READ MORE: Nokia Siemens Networks | Qualcomm | LTE
The specifications for LTE (3GPP Release 8) are set to be finalized this month, with early triallists like Vodafone, Verizon Wireless and China Mobile eager to start tests in 2009. Japan's second cellco, KDDI, is the latest to lay out its plans, while Qualcomm has described an aggressive chip roadmap, and Nokia Siemens is already looking ahead to the next generation, LTE-Advanced.
KDDI plans to build an LTE overlay on its CDMA network, putting paid to WiMAX hopes that it might adopt 802.16e instead (outside of its separate WiMAX joint venture). The company is working with Hitachi and Nortel on the core network for its CDMA-LTE system. This approach will enhance interoperability between its two networks and lower costs, and mirrors the plans of China Mobile to add an LTE overlay, with an integrated core, to its GSM and TD-SCDMA systems at an early stage.
Qualcomm says it will be sampling LTE terminal chips to selected customers in the second quarter of next year, which could make it first to this milestone. Enrico Salvatori, general manager of Qualcomm Europe, cautioned that commercial availability of the LTE/HSPA+ multimode device, dubbed the MDM9000, would still depend on operators' roll-out timelines, and the resolution of various standardization and spectrum issues.
No sooner will LTE standards have been frozen, than some vendors will be looking to steal a march on rivals - and the upcoming WiMAX new generation, 802.16m - by pushing ahead towards a phase two LTE standard. This is known as LTE-Advanced and should hit 'true 4G' performance levels, notably 1Gbps while stationary and 100Mbps at vehicular speed.
Showing its hand early is ¬Nokia Siemens Networks, which has demonstrated Relaying for LTE-Advanced, which will enable operators to install additional relay stations without the need for extra backhaul facilities. In-band relay stations are seen as an important way to improve cell coverage and so to increase capacity, coverage and quality of service using existing infrastructure, reducing RAN and backhaul costs. LTE-Advanced is in the process of being standardized by the 3GPP for Release 10 and will be submitted towards ITU-R as the 3GPP Radio Interface Technology proposal.
Related Stories
More NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS News
More QUALCOMM News
More LTE News
COMMENTS
Digital Money: The Convergence of Contactless Card and Mobile Payments
This report examines the emergence of digital money from the perspective of the convergence of card-based proximity payments to the...
Cloudbooks: Market Analysis and Forecasts
This report is based on interviews with device OEMs, retailers and resellers and provides a comprehensive analysis of the new cloudbook...
Satellite Phones: Will Dual Mode Help the Phoenix Rise from the Ashes?
Satellite phones have followed an arduous path since their much-hyped launch more than a decade ago. The hype was followed by an e...
