Ringing in an Evolution

LTE, designed to operate on 4G spectrum-notwithstanding
its non-complete characteristics for 4G optimization-seems to be the most-talked
about technology option today, combining great speed and working on a preferred
radio frequency level. With the Indian government considering introducing 4G
before 3G on a mass scale, LTE solutions hold special significance.

3G Americas has published a report titled, 'The benefits
of SON in LTE', to increase the understanding of the improvements in network
management that have been developed through 3GPP standards, Release 8, Release
9, and beyond.

LTE SON will thus leverage network intelligence, automation and network
management features to automate the configuration and optimization of wireless
networks. Hence, this will increase efficiency, while simultaneously improving
network performance and flexibility.

SON comes at a time when wireless carriers' networks have increasing mobile
broadband demand and a high level of complexity, which serves as an advantage.
Since there is a huge increase in data usage in the recent times in the
telecommunications sector, prompting operators to continue efforts to improve
network management capabilities. LTE SON will help to efficiently meet the
demands of this new mobile broadband world.

Initial SON solutions offered in the 3GPP Release 8 specifications, which
were completed in March 2009, include features such as automatic inventory,
software download, neighbor relations and PCI assignment that would be built
over 3GPP network management architecture. LTE SON features begin with 3GPP
Release 8 and evolve with the expected LTE network evolution stages. In 3GPP
Release 9, other SON features are addressed, such as the optimization of
coverage and capacity, mobility, RACH, load balancing and support of SON
features in multi-vendor network environments.

Data Call LTE Solutions

Class 3 terminals are expected to be the first widely used commercial LTE
terminals, when they will be launched later in 2010. Nokia Siemens Networks and
LG Electronics have gone a step ahead and achieved an LTE downlink data transfer
rate of 100 Mbps, the maximum speed for a Class 3 LTE terminal. This data call,
operating a Class 3 terminal at its 100 Mbps limit, thus demonstrates
significant progress towards commercial LTE.

The process for this data call made use of Nokia Siemens Networks' LTE radio
equipment including the flexi multi-radio base station, its evolved Packet Core
network elements and standards compliant software along with a pre-commercial
LTE USB modem from LG Electronics.

Multimedia LTE Solutions

ZTE has also announced the launch of its new generation IMS 6.0 solution that is
designed to meet the requirements of the current network transformation for 4G/LTE
in mobile and fixed fields.

Accordingly, the IMS 6.0 solution offers a variety of multimedia solutions
such as converged conference, telepresence, surveillance, gaming, streaming, and
RCS.

ZTE's IMS 6.0 solution also provides enhanced policy based resources and
charging control functionality to resolve issues with increased packet traffic.
For the large flow of LTE data, it supports user based and service based QoS
policy control to ensure better quality.

IMS 6.0 solution offers an enhanced version of ZXUN xAGCF, which is the core
network element in the PSTN/ISDN emulation. ZXUN xAGCF supports a variety of
legacy interfaces including POTS, V5, ISDN BRI / PRI, H.323, and supports the
seamless integration of the current OSS/BSS, integrating with existing services
to provide a consistent user experience.

In addition, IMS 6.0 solution makes use of cloud computing and distributed
design to reduce network complexity, improve system robustness and increase the
efficiency of building networks with the lowest possible TCO for the critical
transformation period.

As LTE emerges as a frontrunner for 4G mobile network transformation,
operators are looking to provide users with higher performance, greater
bandwidth and broader network coverage while maintaining control revenue.

Further improvements and integrated solutions for LTE will thus, only spur on
further interest in its implementation with more Indian-foreign collaboration,
much to the betterment of IT enterprises in India and abroad.

Beryl M

berylm@cybermedia.co.in