WiMaxFocus Amsterdam
September 7th
2006
Radisson Airport Hotel
Schiphol
Leigh Hodge
eCommerce Innovations
Centre
Email:
hodgel@ecommerce.ac.uk
WiMaxContributing to Deliver Global broadband Wireless
Services
Dean Chang
WiMaxForum.
The WiMax Forum currently has 369 member companies and
continues to grow. The WiMax Forum consists of a variety of
working groups focusing on different areas of WiMax, including
network specifications, certification, spectrum policy etc.
This presentation gave an overview of the current WiMax
situation. Demand for mobile data access (e.g. personal
internet and mobile access services) is increasing and WiMax is
seen by many to be the solution. WiMax is a subset of the
802.11 standard, and there are two variants of WiMax - 802.16-2004
(also known as 802.11d) and 802.11e. 802.11d products are
designed to work when static and offer 'nomadic' access (i.e. users
move from place to place, but are static when accessing the
internet). 802.11e products are intended to provide
full mobile access (i.e. whilst moving). 802.11 products
first became available in Q1 2006 and multiple 3.5GHz TDD and FDD
products will be available within the year. The WiMax forum
timeframe shows portable/nomaidic access for 2006 and mobile
personal internet access for 2007/2008.
A variety of spectrum is available for WiMax (3.3-3.8GHz,
2.3-2.5GHz and potentially frequencies in the 5GHz and <2GHz
ranges). Different parts of the spectrum offer different
performance benefits, with 2.5GHz being a good trade-off.
Spectrum regulation is required to achieve a uniform allocation
worldwide. This is crucial to lowering equipment
costs.
Operators will be able to employ WiMax in a variety of
scenarios. Mobile operators could exploit WiMax where 3G is
not available, to reduce the cost of transferring data across its
networks, and in a variety of new applications. Fixed network
operators can offer subscribers economical access to mobile
broadband services, leading to some degree of fixed mobile
convergence (for broadband and voice). Cable companies can
extend wireless access into their triple/quad play services.
A number of opportunities and challenges were identified in
this presentation. Opportunities include:
- Developing and underserved markets
- DSL and cable modern extension
- Wireless backhaul in a cellular & WiFi networks
- Enabling competitive wireless broadband provider
- Unbundling of access
- Portable or mobile connectivity services
Challenges include:
- Lack of competitive environment
- Not a single killer application
- Definition of Portability / Mobility: ubiquitous and
seamless?
- Existing 2/3G investments
An important claim made in this presentation is that "mobile
WiMax can do for the internet what cellular did for
voice".
Keynote WorldMax
KempieAlgra
WorldMax
This presentation focused on the business case for rollout of
WiMax in The Netherlands. The Netherlands is a country of 7
million people and 200,000 businesses. The Netherlands has
the highest broadband penetration level after Korea. This in
addition to the size of The Netherlands makes it ideal for a
showcase.
In The Netherlands, there is no case for fixed wireless access
as the fixed line and cable infrastructure is already strong.
Mobile, nomadic, any place access is the only business case for
wireless. Consequently, a mobile WiMax network (802.16e)
should be rolled out.
The discussion included economic analysis of the broadband,
wireless and mobile data market and it was shown that the case for
mobile WiMax was much stronger than that for fixed.
A number of reasons were given for why WiMax will be
successful for the Netherlands. In reality, these are
applicable to any region, and include:
- WiMax is an international standard
- WiMax is licensed so should offer high QoS
- Low equipment costs WiMax will become standard in laptops
- Builds on market position of WiFi integration of service
offerings etc
- Fit for "all you can use" propositions (as opposed to UMTS and
HSDPA)
- WiMax is designed for IP where as UMTS is not
Examining Deployments with Leading European
Operators
ZeevStrahl
Alvarion
Alvarion have deployed over 5000 WiFi base stations and tens
of thousands of CPEs (customer premise equipment) worldwide.
They have 81% of the fixed WiMax market and currently have over 180
installations in over 80 countries. Based on feedback from
wireless deployments a number of requirements for operators have
been identified:
- Reusable and robust service is the priority
- Systems should be upgradeable to 802.11e to protect
investment
- Scalable and flexible network design
- Performance and coverage (range, NLOS functionality)
- Clear roadmap for terminals
- Self install terminal - available now
- PCMCIA - 2007
- Mobile handset 2008
An important question that was raised is why should operators
rollout fixed deployments now, when people want mobile. A
fixed and nomadic operation is a stepping stone towards mobile
WiMax. Mature products with advanced certification are
available now. These offer nomadic operation, which is a
disruptive technology that could be utilised by triple play
operators to offer wireless access to their subscribers. Most
importantly, rolling out now will enable providers to capture the
market and obtain revenues today.
Whilst only rolling out an 802.11e network may seem like a
desirable proposition for operators, as it avoids them needing to
replace/upgrade equipment later, it will probably not be viable
until at least 2008. A number of issues preclude rollout
including:
· Availability
of low cost CPE
· True
mobility requires mobile handsets and these are not yet
available
· Smooth
handoff between all standards will be desirable (WiFi, WiMax and
GSM)
Opportunities and Threats from WiMax
ArildJacobsen
TelnorR&D
In this presentation, the business case for WiMax is
considered by examining the predicted performance of different
types of service. Returns on deployment are considered for
providers with a variety of existing service offerings, as the
services already provided may impact on the return. Six service
mixes were considered:
· GSM/EDGE and
fixed
· GSM/EDGE,
UMTS and fixed
·
GSM/EDGE
· GSM/EDGE and
UMTS
· Fixed
· New
entrant
The results of the analysis conclude that it is too early to
make a strong estimate of the role and significance of mobile
WiMax. All of the above business cases were shown to be
feasible, but have relatively long payback periods, in excess of 5
years. The best case was shown to be the mobile only GSM/EDGE
operator who could exploit WiMax as a 3G alternative due to reuse
of existing infrastructure, existing customer base and the largest
potential for new customers.
Telnor discussed that they find it difficult to see that WiMAX
will be a disruptive technology with great significance in well
developed telecom markets, characterized by a good infrastructure
and high levels of competition. Instead, they see the
following applications for WiMax:
- fixed and nomadic broadband solutions in less developed
countries without a good wired telecommunication
infrastructure
- mobile broadband solution for operators without 3G license
- enhanced WLAN (hot spot) technology
Deploying WiMax Networks Lifecycle&Key
Stages and Issues
John Oliver
Alan Dick, UK
This presentation was organised at the last minute to utilise
the slot allocated to Jim Baker, who was unfortunately unable to
attend. This presentation was aimed specifically towards
operators, to explain the issues associated with the installation
of WiMax base stations and considerations that should be made by
operators when contracting the deployment to companies such as Alan
Dick. A reasonably detailed explanation of a deployment
lifecycle was given which comprised of the following stages:
feasibility study, design, plan, build, prove, maintain manage and
operate, and upgrade. This is essentially an
iterative process. A number of planning examples were give,
for example to introduce resilience via double
redundancy.
Based on their methodology, Alan Dick have rolled out sites in
the UK, with a coverage of 160,00 households to determine how
rollout would progress and understand the implications and problems
associated with rollout. Their experience would be beneficial
to operators rolling out their own system as this test installation
highlighted issues that should be considered in the initial
planning to enable cost effective maintenance and expansion of the
network in the future (e.g. timing of contractors to ensure
equipment is configured for easy maintenance, installation of
oversized equipment racks to enable simplified and more cost
effective upgrades in the future).
Intel's WiMax Vision
Chris Beardsmore
Intel, UK
This presentation described Intel's interest in WiMax and its
current and future chip offerings and developments. Intel's
interest is in the supply of WiMax chips. Currently, 3G is
driving the requirements for high speeds data access.
Unfortunately, 3G doesn't scale well to provide mobile personal
internet access that users are increasingly demanding. WiMax
fits the bill perfectly. Intel is working hard to make sure
that equipment and networks are available no equipment, no
network. Consequently, Intel is making significant
investments in the WiMax community through WorldMax, Sprint and
Clearw're in the US.
Intel's roadmap for chips is as follows:
2004-2006
Intel Pro/Wireless (fixed 802.6.d applications)
2006-2008
Fixed/Mobile (802.16e), combined WiFi and WiMax units
Late 2006 2.3-2.5 GHz WiMax Cards
2007 3.5 GHz WiMax Cards
2008
WiMax integrated into Centrio processors
2008+
Integrated WiFi/WiMax multimode chipsets
Intel sees WiMax as the best solution for net generation
wireless broadband. Fixed/nomadic WiMax is available today,
with mobile coming in the near future. Where you see WiFi
today, expect to also see WiMax tomorrow.
WiMaxTesting and Certification
Andreas Moreno
Centro de Technologica de las
Communicaciones (CETECOM), Spain.
In this presentation, the WiMax certification process was
outlined. Whilst certification of WiMax devices is not
mandatory, unlike local standards testing (e.g. BSI, FCC, ETSI,
etc.), communication protocols are useless if there is no way to
verify that products comply. The first certified products
were released in January 2006 and there are currently 28 tested and
certified devices (both base stations and customer premise
equipment). These devices operate at 3.5 GHz (FDD and
TDD).
The aim of the certification process is to be trusted, cost
effective, flexible, and have no delays. To become certified
a product must pass tests for protocol conformance, radio
conformance and interoperability with existing devices.
Testing at CTECOM takes in the region of 1-2 weeks, though this is
getting shorter as the programme advances, and manufacturers can
track the status of the testing online.
The WiMax forum regularly holds 'plug fests', where engineers
from vendor companies can meet to test the interoperability of
their products. These take place over a number of days to
enable engineers to identify any interoperability issues, rectify
and retest.
TTA Labs in Korea has been approved as the first WiMax Forum
certification lab in Asia. CETECOM will assist TTA in ramping
up to test Mobile WiMAx products for WiBRO services in Q4
2006.
Key Planning Considerations for WiMax
Networks
John Berry
ATDI, UK
The presentation focused on the radio planning aspects for a
WiMax rollout to ensure a given QoS for all subscribers in the
coverage areas of a WiMax base station. Signal paths in a
WiMax scenario will be non-line of sight (NLOS) due to buildings,
terrain etc. Consequently, in order to accurately consider
the QoS (based on signal strength) at any point in the coverage
area, affects of buildings and terrain on the signal must be
accurately predicted. This can be achieved by modelling the
environment in which the WiMax transmitter operates and performing
signal propagation loss calculations for each point of interest.
The accuracy to which the environment is modeled will affect the
accuracy of the predictions. It was also noted that the
environment in the vicinity of the base station should be modeled
at a higher resolution wherever possible as complex interactions
occur here. An interesting result of the transmission
technique (OFDM) used in WiMax is that reflections caused by
buildings and terrain can give rise to a statistical gain in the
performance of the network if the delay spread is not too
severe.
It was concluded that the following factors must be considered
when planning a WiMax deployment:
- service flow
- connectivity (with MIMO and adaptive modeling)
- traffic modeling considering service flow
- frequency planning