Twitter update

Monday, August 31, 2009

Dallas, Texas area becoming a hotbed for LTE research in US

Just an observation. Dallas, Texas area is becoming a hotbed for LTE research in US. Recent Texas-based research center announcements include: Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) in Dallas, Huawei in Richardson, and now, Hitachi in Dallas. If you are looking for US jobs in LTE, I guess you should consider moving to Texas. :)

- Hyung

Hitachi Opens New Facility for 4G Mobile Communication Systems Development

Source: Hitachi Telecom press release
Hitachi Communication Technologies America, Inc. (Hitachi-CTA) today officially opened a new facility to engage in the development of core network infrastructure equipment for Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless networks to address the growing 4th-generation (4G) mobile communications market.

The facility, named the Dallas R&D Center, is located in the “telecom corridor” area of Richardson, Texas. The Dallas R&D Center will focus on the Mobility Management Entity (MME) and other components of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) for LTE.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

GSA Confirms 50% Increase in LTE Network Commitments

Source: Global mobile Suppliers Association press release
A new survey by the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) just released confirms there are now 39 LTE network commitments worldwide. This is an increase of 50% compared to a similar survey undertaken by GSA in March 2009, and confirms the growing commitment and support for LTE as the next generation mobile broadband system of choice. Mobile broadband services enabled by HSPA systems are a great success and commercially available in 115 countries worldwide. LTE will further boost network throughputs significantly, improve spectrum and operational efficiencies and performance, and reduce latency for the next step in the user experience.

Research Report - Packet Backhaul: Carrier Strategies & Real-World Deployments

Source: Heavy Reading
Packet Backhaul: Carrier Strategies & Real-World Deployments examines how much progress has been made in deploying packet backhaul at cell sites worldwide, using information from 50 highly detailed examples of live packet backhaul deployments submitted by nearly two dozen of the world's leading backhaul equipment vendors. The report provides the first insight into what today's live packet backhaul deployments really look like – where they are, what architecture they conform to, what technologies they use, and critically, how many cell sites were actually in live service as of the second quarter of 2009. By presenting and analyzing this first large and reliable sample of live packet backhaul deployments, this report provides a unique and timely perspective on whether mobile operators are reducing their backhaul costs at the rate they need to as they make the transition from voice-centric service and revenue models to data-centric models.

Freescale introduces the multicore MSC8154 DSP to speed adoption of LTE and other 4G wireless standards

Source: Freescale press release
Freescale Semiconductor introduces the MSC8154 processor – a four-core version of Freescale’s award-winning, high-performance MSC8156 digital signal processor (DSP). The device is designed to add a variety of price, power and throughput options to Freescale’s portfolio of high performance DSPs based on StarCore® technology.

Freescale also introduces the availability of supporting software to help OEMs speed software development for 3G-LTE base stations, as well as a high-density reference board design and DSP enablement platform that enables customers and third parties to speed development of next-generation wireless infrastructure equipment. The MSC8154AMC (Advanced Mezzanine Card) integrates three four-core MSC8154 DSPs and is designed for 3G-LTE, TDD-LTE, WCDMA and WiMAX base stations as well as media gateway systems. Freescale also offers the MSC8156AMC solution, which is based on the six-core MSC8156 DSP.

Whitepaper: VOLGA - Voice over LTE via GAN - A Technical Introduction

Source: WirelessMoves

China Mobile to work with Taiwan on 4G technology

Source: Taiwan News
Beijing-based China Mobile Ltd., the world's largest mobile carrier, will work with Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to develop 4G technologies, Wang Jianzhou, chairman of the state-run Chinese company, said yesterday.

MediaTek and China Mobile to strengthen cooperation on TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE technologies

Source: DigiTimes
Taiwan-based IC design house MediaTek and China-based carrier China Mobile will strengthen their strategic alliance in the deployment of TD-SCDMA technology and will also cooperate on TD-LTE technology, according to MediaTek. MediaTek chairman Tsai Ming-Kai and China Mobile chairman Wang Jianzhou met on August 26.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Evolution to LTE (GSA Information Paper) confirms 39 LTE network commitments in 19 countries

Source: Global mobile Suppliers Associations
A concise update of the business drivers, objectives and targets for LTE - Long Term Evolution and SAE - System Architecture Evolution, now standardized by 3GPP and soon to enter commercial service, including network operator commitments and deployment/launch plans, trials, device/platforms availability, agreement on licensing IPR, performance and interoperability trials results, spectrum requirements and actions, and plans for future evolution of LTE for consideration for the ITU IMT-Advanced standard.

Whitepaper: Monitoring LTE Networks

Source: Tekelec
As operators deploy LTE networks, monitoring and performance management will have a direct impact on competitiveness and profitability. Network-wide visibility is essential to protect revenues and ensure application interaction, service delivery and quality of experience. A real-time network view enables operators to understand and track performance and subscriber behavior. The ability to trace a single transaction, call or session end-to-end across different domains is fundamental to understanding and troubleshooting the interaction of network elements. As data traffic increases, operators need the capability to choose the type and quantity of data they collect so they can scale their monitoring systems and data collection incrementally.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Video from the world's first LTE-site in Stockholm launched by Ericsson and Telia Sonera



See World's first commercial 4G/LTE site unveiled in Sweden by Ericsson and TeliaSonera for more details of the launch.

LG and Nortel demonstrate successful LTE-CDMA handoff

Source: ZD Net Korea
According to LG, a successful demonstration of handoff between LTE and CDMA2000 EV-DO base stations was performed last week at Nortel's R&D center in Ottawa, Canada. The demonstration used LG's dual-mode mobile test terminal 'M13' which supports CDMA2000 EV-DO (850/1900MHz) and LTE(700MHz). It featured seamless streaming video, web surfing, and internet telephony.

The news article is in Korean. Although the Korean news article claims it is the world's first demonstration of LTE-CDMA handoff, Motorola already demonstrated such capability back in Mar. of 2008 (see Motorola Demonstrates Industry’s First CDMA/EV-DO Rev-A to LTE Network Handoffs). BTW, the LG device M13 was in spotlight in June of this year (see FCC approves LTE / EV-DO hybrid gear from LG).

Update: An official press release from LG is at http://www.acnnewswire.com/Article.Asp?Art_ID=2105&lang=EN

- Hyung

Monday, August 24, 2009

Alcatel-Lucent first to receive FCC certification for Long Term Evolution (LTE) base stations for the 700 MHz spectrum band

Source: Alcatel-Lucent press release
Alcatel-Lucent today announced that it has reached a critical milestone in the development of its Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless broadband solution –- following certification from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Alcatel-Lucent is now shipping its 700 MHz LTE base stations to service providers in the United States. With this achievement Alcatel-Lucent becomes the first vendor to have FCC-certified LTE base stations available, a key requirement for sales in the U.S. market.

T-Mobile reveals Austrian LTE testbed

Source: telecoms.com
International carrier T-Mobile has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first multi-user LTE test network “with mobility” in the Austrian city of Innsbruck. The German incumbent carrier worked with Chinese vendor Huawei to establish the network.

T-Mobile also claimed that the deployment, which uses the carrier’s 3G network as an infrastructure base, is the largest test network in Europe. It spans 60 cells an

RFMD(R) Announces 4G LTE Engagements With Leading Handset Manufacturers and Baseband Providers

Source: RFMD press release
RF Micro Devices, Inc., a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance semiconductor components, today announced the Company is engaged with two leading handset manufacturers and two leading baseband manufacturers in the development of fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution, or LTE, mobile broadband handsets. Specifically, RFMD is supplying the RF6276 and the RF3280, both of which are 4G LTE power amplifiers (PAs) designed to meet or exceed the data-centric performance requirements of the 4G LTE mobile broadband standard. RFMD anticipates production revenue related to 4G LTE PAs will begin in the second half of fiscal 2010, ending April 3, 2010.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

SoftBank Mobile Trials for LTE

Source: Wireless Watch Japan
SoftBank Mobile gets ministry approval for LTE trial, thru spring 2010, using 1.5GHz spectrum in Fukuoka Prefecture.

Network upgrades vs. converting to LTE: Challenges operators face

Source: FierceBroadbandWireless

Friday, August 21, 2009

Registration discount available for upcoming 4G World

For those of you who plan to attend the upcoming 4G World (Sep. 15~18, Chicago), the IEEE Communications Society offers registration discount of $200. Follow the link here.

As Clearwire investors write off billions of dollars, what is the future for WiMAX?

Source: Analysys Mason
Over the last two or three years, WiMAX has gained a strong foothold in developing countries in which there is a need for broadband, but the fixed infrastructure is poor. However, we doubt that the developing market offers sufficient growth potential and size to sustain continued investment from such heavyweights as Cisco Systems, Intel and Motorola without additional sales in the developed markets. But in the developed markets of Europe and the USA, we see some early signs of a difficult future for WiMAX.

Verizon Wireless Updates Specifications For 4G LTE 700 MHz Devices

Source: Verizon Wireless press release
Verizon Wireless today released updated specifications for wireless devices – traditional and innovative – that will run on the nationwide Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G network it is building on the Upper 700 MHz C-Block spectrum. The network access requirements contain key updates, clarifications and additions to guide developers into the next phase of bringing their LTE devices to the Verizon Wireless network.

NSN to open LTE center in Dallas

Source: RCR Wireless
Nokia Siemens Networks said it was establishing a “center of competence” in Dallas dedicated to developing LTE for the North American market. The center is expected to employ approximately 500 people, including current Nokia Siemens workers and new hires.

This announcement seems like a repeat of NSN's previous announcement back in Dec. of 2008 (see Nokia Siemens Networks Elevates LTE Commitment in North America). - Hyung

Thursday, August 20, 2009

KDDI taps Motorola, NEC for LTE rollout

Source: telecoms.com
Second-placed Japanese operator KDDI has tapped Motorola and NEC to build its LTE network, with an eye to launching commercial services in late 2012.

Motorola and NEC will both deliver base stations to KDDI, as well as a mixture of backhaul, network management tools, video platforms, SON (Self Organising/ Optimising Network) technology and a portfolio of professional services.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

New Update - Evolution to LTE (GSA Information Paper) confirms 34 LTE network operator commitments

Source: Global mobile Suppliers Association
A concise update of the business drivers, objectives and targets for LTE - Long Term Evolution and SAE - System Architecture Evolution, now standardized by 3GPP and soon to enter commercial service, including network operator commitments and deployment/launch plans, device/platforms availability, agreement on licensing IPR, latest performance and interoperability trials results, spectrum requirements and actions, and plans for future evolution of LTE for consideration for the ITU IMT-Advanced standard.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

EU invests a fresh € 18 million in future ultra high-speed mobile internet

Source: EU press release
As of 1 January 2010, the EU will invest € 18 million into research that will underpin next generation 4G mobile networks. The European Commission just decided to start the process of funding research on Long Term Evolution (LTE) Advanced technology, that will offer mobile internet speeds up to a hundred times faster than current 3G networks. LTE is becoming the industry's first choice for next generation mobile networks, also thanks to substantial EU research funding since 2004. 25 years ago, Europe already made the GSM standard the backbone of modern mobile telephony. Based on Europe's joint research and the strength of the EU's single market, the GSM standard is today used by 80% of the world's mobile networks. LTE promises to be a similar success as EU-funded research continues to bring cutting-edge technology to the daily lives of European

Monday, August 17, 2009

Why iPhone from Verizon Wireless won't happen any time soon

Ever since Verizon Wireless (VZW) announced their LTE migration, I've noticed speculative news articles, blog posts, and tweets on LTE version of iPhone coming from VZW very soon. Some even speculate that the rumored tablet device from Apple will run on LTE network (see Verizon rumored to be pushing up LTE plans to Q1 2010, new Apple device the catalyst?). As I see it, all these seem like wishful thinkings; it is probably at least four to five years before you might even hear any concrete development (if indeed Apple and VZW decide to go in this direction) just because of the technical and market challenges of the early LTE deployments. The following are my reasons:

1. Nationwide LTE service is years away: If you follow VZW's LTE deployment plan, a nationwide LTE service won't happen until late 2013 or early 2014 (see Verizon clarifies LTE buildout plans). Similarly, NTT DoCoMo, one of the early LTE adopters, also sees a meaningful nationwide deployment some time around 2014 (50% coverage by 2014, see NTT DoCoMo plans LTE launch in late 2010). Also, the operators are just now reaping returns from 3G/3.5G services. They will milk their 3G investments as long as possible and will be reluctant to migrate to LTE so soon. So, for the foreseeable future, we will see a limited coverage of LTE networks at best. I doubt that Apple will offer a product that can only cover limited geographical area. One way to overcome this is to have a dual mode (CDMA2000 and LTE) iPhone but why bother including LTE data capability when CDMA2000 network (which VZW currently runs) already offers decent data service.

2. Commercial LTE chips also are years away: Although there have been announcements of LTE baseband modem chips (Qualcomm, LG, NTT DoCoMo, ST-Ericsson, and Samsung) and some prototypes (most notably, from LG and ST-Ericsson), it will take some time for companies to produce chips that meet market expectations. If you look at the previous case of 3G, the standard finalized roughly in 2000 and the first generation of modem chips had numerous performance issues (notably, power consumption) such that the handsets never were usable. Also, because most operators do not see any significant market for LTE in the near future, the demand for LTE modems will be limited and it will dampen the development progress. Now, one interesting factor is that Apple is rumored to be building their own iPhone chips (they acquired PA Semi a while ago which designs chips for mobile terminals). They can easily decide to start building LTE chips for their iPhones but it is unlikely that they could design and build an efficient enough chip so soon.

3. There is still no clear strategy for legacy (circuit switched) voice support in the initial LTE network deployment: If you follow the whole debate on how to support legacy voice calls, which is a hot topic in LTE standards community (see Voice Over LTE & the 'IMS Gap'), you will realize that it will take quite some time to get to a consensus among the major players because technically, the various proposed methods of resolving the legacy voice issue are substantially divergent. Until the operators have a clear universal solution to supporting voice, a full-fledged LTE handset which supports voice and data seamlessly will not be available and iPhone is no exception.

Any comment or feedback is welcome.

- Hyung

NGMN Alliance Announces Request for Information to LTE Patent Pool Administrators

Source: NGNM press release
Today the Board of the NGMN Alliance (NGMN) has decided to announce that it is to issue a public Request for Information (RFI) on LTE Patent Pool Administration.

AppTrigger Introduces Ignite Service Broker 11.0 for Voice Over LTE Networks

Source: AppTrigger press release
AppTrigger, Inc., the leading provider of service broker solutions, today announced the launch of the Ignite™ Service Broker v. 11.0. AppTrigger’s latest release of the Ignite Service Broker unleashes the power of TDM Voice Services over Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband networks, overcoming the gaps and risks between IMS and LTE development inefficiencies.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Verizon Wireless Completes Successful LTE 4G Data Calls In Boston And Seattle

Source: Verizon Wireless press release
Verizon Wireless today completed its first successful Long Term Evolution (LTE) fourth generation (4G) data call in Boston based on the 3GPP Release 8 standard; the company also announced today that it had earlier completed the first LTE 4G data call based on the 3GPP Release 8 standard in Seattle. The successful data calls involved streaming video, file uploads and downloads, and Web browsing. Significantly, Verizon Wireless has successfully made data calls using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to enable voice transmissions over the LTE 4G network.

Chunghwa Telecom to start building up LTE networks in 2011

Source: DigiTimes
Taiwan-based carrier Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) is currently experimenting with LTE technology and plans to start building up its LTE network in 2011, according to chairman Shyue-Ching Lu.

Seven Taiwan companies and organizations join 3GPP

Source: DigiTimes
With an aim to develop related LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology and products, a total of seven Taiwan-based companies and organizations - HTC, Asustek Computer, HT mMobile, Coiler, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), the Institute for Information Industry (III), and the Telecommunication Laboratories of Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) - have joined the 3GPP, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

WiMAX Not Really 4G: Ericsson CTO

Source: GigaOm

Huawei powers ahead in LTE, with north America in its sights

Source: Rethink Wireless
Huawei looks increasingly hard to beat, as it scores points in all kinds of wireless infrastructure markets. It has won an important US foothold with its Clearwire deal and has added to its growing list of LTE trial sites with a Vodafone agreement in Germany.

Motorola LTE Drive Tour Arrives in Sweden

Source: Motorola press release
Motorola Inc. today announced that its Long Term Evolution (LTE) drive tour has arrived in Sweden to demonstrate the next generation wireless broadband technology to operators from across Scandinavia.

During the drive tour, visitors will witness true mobile broadband performance as well as rich media experiences on the move in an urban environment via an LTE-enabled van. The demonstration will also include hand-over between sectors and a number of demanding, bandwidth hungry video applications running over LTE – including for the first time live TV over LTE.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Updates to LTE watch blog

1. LTE white papers & tutorials section (on the left) has been updated with some new articles.

2. You can now follow this blog from Twitter if you are a Twitter user.

Mobile VoIP's an 'Unstoppable Train'

Source: Unstrung
Mobile operators need to drop the hostile attitude to VoIP and figure out how to make these new services and applications work for them as the industry moves to future IP-based networks, the August edition of the Unstrung Insider finds.

The research report, "Mobile VoIP: A Disruptive Service Goes Mainstream," finds that pricing pressures, new competitive entrants, and technology changes are forcing a move to packet-based services even as many operators continue to block mobile VoIP applications.

WiBro Operators on Borrowed Time

Source: Light Reading
Senior government officials in South Korea say the country's mobile WiMax licenses should be revoked and other sanctions imposed since service providers have failed to invest enough in their WiBro networks, according to an ET News report.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Vodafone Tests LTE With Huawei

Source: Unstrung
Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. has landed another LTE (Long Term Evolution) scalp, this time landing a test gig with Vodafone Germany over the so-called "Digital Dividend Band" (790-862MHz).

The two parties are creating a "joint initiative to validate LTE’s application" within that particular band of spectrum, with a particular emphasis on testing digital TV and digital radio services, Huawei tells Unstrung.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Motorola Accelerates TD-LTE Commercialization with Success in Trials

Source: Motorola press release
Motorola, Inc. Home & Networks Mobility today announced successful completion of its joint Over-the-Air (OTA) trial with operators as part of the collaborative Time Division Duplex Long-Term Evolution (TD-LTE) commercialization. The milestone demonstrates Motorola’s commitment to deliver next generation networks to meet the future needs of TDD spectrum operators in China and around the world.

Motorola’s key trial achievements include:
· First company to complete download throughput up to 70 megabits per second (Mbps) in a 20 megahertz (MHz) bandwidth channel
· Mobility and hand-over with live applications
· Multi-User Equipment (UE) testing under one sector

Monday, August 3, 2009

Agilent Technologies Introduces Industry-First TD-LTE Receiver Measurements Drive Test System

Source: Agilent Technologies press release
Agilent Technologies Inc. today announced TD- LTE Receiver Measurements as a software upgrade to its proven Agilent E6474A Drive Test Network Optimization Platform. Network equipment manufacturers and wireless service providers can use the software on Agilent W1314A receivers to quickly verify base-station RF coverage, plot accurate coverage maps and validate planning in the early development of LTE networks. This new option builds on the existing FDD-LTE measurements in the Agilent solution to provide both FDD-LTE and TD-LTE measurements on a single measurement platform.