 | Issue: | Asia-Pacific I 2001 |
| Article no.: | 12 | |
| Topic: | Winning on the Road to 3G | |
| Author: | Simon Leung | |
| Title: | Corporate Vice-President and General Manager | |
| Organisation: | Motorola | |
| PDF size: | 20KB |
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Article abstract
For months, 3G has captured the attention of wireless industry players across the globe. We have watched in fascination as the race to capture new wireless 3G licenses – whether through auctions or so-called “beauty contests” – took off.
Full Article
As licenses are parcelled out, wireless carriers are turning to another race: the race to deployment. Well aware of the importance of being first to market, carriers today are vying for the honour of being the first to offer high-speed wireless. Nowhere is this more evident than in Europe and Asia-Pacific. In fact, according to The Strategis Group, 14 markets in Western Europe and seven markets in the Asia-Pacific region will commercially launch 3G services by 2003 – well ahead of the rest of the world. And, even earlier, Spains Telefonica and Japans NTT DoCoMo are expected to launch their 3G networks in 2001. But the victors in the race to deployment face a tough challenge: adapting to a new paradigm for wireless. The emergence of 3G systems will change the way the world communicates. Individuals will conduct banking transactions, answer email and browse the Internet all from the palm of their hands. They will access location-based services that help them find the nearest restaurant or find their way when lost. They will experience a whole new, never-before-imagined variety of personalised, innovative services. This revolution brings power to the person providing access to a vast and growing global network of personalised information, commerce, and entertainment, whether one is at work, at home, in the auto, or anywhere in between. Playing a critical role in this are industry-leading IP-based architectures. These architectures are based on an open applications programming interface (API), which means that the operator, or even a third party can write to it, enabling rapid delivery of customised, highly reliable features and services. Such a communications architecture combines innovative technology that yields these key attributes: Separation of end-user solutions and the wireless network. The Aspira solution provides the network operator flexibility in deploying end-user services and applications, independent of wireless switch manufacturers. This flexibility, combined with the advantages of open APIs, results in an expanded solution set, with faster and more economical deployment. Peer-to-peer, non-hierarchical communication and client/server operation. The network is based on a distributed model that offers the potential to realise significant gains in system performance, quality of service, capacity and scalability. As a result, speed-to-market and cycle time can be significantly improved; operations costs can be reduced; and more intelligent operations, maintenance, and provisioning can be enabled across the network. Innovative technology enhancements The network will include features such as an inter-working function to optimise the bearer path and processing. This will ensure that the right resources are being assigned for optimal service delivery. An intelligent, IP-based transport layer will enable the interconnection between wireless and wireline networks, and IP and non-IP networks. This migration to 3G wireless Internet might well be led by IP communication architectures. These end-to-end 3G solutions include the end-user devices, the radio access network, the core network, the high-availability platform and the services and applications required for delivering a complete end-to-end solution. In addition, such overall solutions includes other key commercial and operational considerations such as operations support systems and network management that are critical when implementing and integrating a true end-to-end solution. Migrating to 3G: The New World In order to make this new world a reality operators must have a clear migration path to next generation networks. Migration occurs through a four-phased approach, focusing on placing operators in control while enabling the full potential of 3G and preserving an operators investment in 2G equipment. Phase 1: Basic Packet Data Services The first phase of orderly migration offers a very non-invasive introduction to packet data. In this phase, we begin to siphon-off data from voice sending that data across “switch-less” packet IP-based networks. Basically, packet data gets routed out of the traditional radio access network switch and into the IP-world, thus enabling basic data services. Phase 2: Enhanced Data Services and Mobile VoIP At phase two, we add a services manager that knows how to set up a voice-over IP (VoIP) phone call. We also add a circuit gateway that will interact with the legacy circuit network. And we add a feature server that will introduce the basic VoIP call. This approach enables a “peaceful coexistence” between circuit and packet networks, thus protecting legacy investments. During this phase, an increasing percentage of data goes to the IP network via the circuit gateway, which interfaces with the legacy systems. Phase 3: Integrated Voice and Data Mobile IP Networks In phase three, we add a full suite of integrated voice and data services by adding 2.5G and 3G base stations to interface directly with the IP, peer-to-peer network. We also add the Radio Network Control System (RNCS) that allows mobility in the packet, peer-to-peer space. As a result, the services manager is now doing a larger percentage of what the circuit switched network used to do in the legacy network – with only a small percentage of voice and data traveling through the circuit network. Phase 4 – Multimedia Peer-to-Peer IP Networking Phase 4 enables integrated voice and data services and applications such as Internet access on wireless devices. The new world communications architecture truly emerges, and operators are no longer solely dependent on legacy switching. The introduction of a circuit/signalling gateway provides a direct path to an IP-based mobile network enabling multimedia services, and integrated voice, data, and video become a reality. Being First-to-Market with Winning Solutions The new wireless Internet model expands potential revenue opportunities into new terrain by enabling operators to grow data services revenue and capture revenue streams that were previously unavailable. While being first to market with superior new services, service differentiation, and innovation will be key to attracting and retaining customers, of equal importance will be the extent to which end users feel that these services meet their personal needs. This means that networks will need to be designed with individuals, not just customers “en masse,” in mind. Personal networks are networks designed for “someone” – not just anyone. Because individual preferences for services, information, and access devices vary, personal networking recognises the individual and enables “tailored,” personal networking solutions. An IP-based communications architecture, with its integration of voice and data, ease of use, performance, and mobility, enables such personal networking. Wireless operators are already starting to deploy next generation technology. Chinas leading GSM communications operator, China United Telecommunications Corp. (China Unicom) launched the first step in its migration to 3G in August 2000. China Unicom deployed the first GPRS high-speed mobile data system in Asia on its network in Shenzhen, one of Chinas four special economic zones. Collaboration Leads to Quality These third Generation systems are the result of the collaboration of some of the best minds in the business to make the IP-based end-to-end wireless communi-cations vision a reality. Manufacturers are developing solid working relation-ships with a wide-range of organisations to deliver a business model that drives complete convergence. A number Applications Development Centres and Centres of Excellence around the world are devoted to developing wireless applications that include Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Java, Bluetooth, VoxML, synchronisation, voice activation, location-based services, VoIP, etc. These leading edge efforts will help wireless carriers capture market share for 3G subscribers, which the Yankee Group estimates will represent 11 percent of the global wireless subscriber base by 2005. Wireless carriers who win the 3G race will have first claim on these customers, and the industry-leading IP network solutions, are the clear choice to help operators in their quest for market dominance. Solutions for the Next Generation The convergence of the Internet and wireless will result in many new business opportunities, but the playing field and the rules of the game are changing rapidly. New players, new markets, and new services are all resulting in increasing competition. End-user expectations are also increasing, so providing customers with cost-effective new services is a critical success factor. Our vision of the future wireless world is an exciting one where end-to-end communications solutions enable new wireless services, applications, and revenue opportunities. Conlcusion Deploying successful commercial 3G systems with first-to-market speed requires depth of experience and expertise in complex systems implementation and integration. Additionally, in order to ensure a smooth and commercial system, other key capabilities such as Operation Support Systems (OSS), network management and operations and maintenance (OA&M) are required. Internet service models can deliver comprehensive end-to-end solutions built not only on solid technology but also a full appreciation of Operators total end-to-end solutions requirements.
