Different flavors of 4G are in development, from WiMAX to UMB to LTE. WiMAX will be the first available 4G technology and has about a two-year lead over the others, which aren’t expected until the 2009 timeframe.
Many industry watchers view WiMAX as a profoundly disruptive technology. Godfrey Chua, IDC research manager, describes the power of WiMAX for high-bandwidth applications as opening ”a whole new world of mobility that provides new capabilities and processes for businesses and new revenue-generating services
for operators.”
Nortel’s WiMAX strategy is anchored by industry-leading innovations in two key technologies: OFDM and MIMO. These are the core enablers of all 4G networks including UMB and LTE. Nortel has dedicated more than eight years to developing OFDM and MIMO and holds significant IPR in their application to 4G. We are also one of the primary contributors to the WiMAX standard, particularly in the areas fundamental to the implementation of MIMO and mobility.
While playing an active role in developing technologies to make WiMAX a reality, Nortel is also assembling an ecosystem of best-in-breed partnerships, a critical factor for WiMAX success. Nortel’s WiMAX ecosystem includes Intel, Runcom, Airspan, LG, Kyocera, and Toshiba with more partnerships in the works.
Our MIMO-enabled mobile WiMAX solution is scheduled to hit the market later this year and will be deployed with Chungwha Telecom to become the first network of its kind in Taiwan.
Related to the discussion of 4G networks, as these begin to gain ground, operators will also do well to consider the network core and how it will support the increase in traffic. This is equally important for current cellular networks. The bandwidth glut of yesterday is coming to an end due in large part to the increased use of video and new sensations like YouTube. An investment in new optical technologies and simplified Ethernet packet processing will help handle the heavy load.
IMS
As mobile broadband is progressing, it’s also emerging as a major driver of convergence, because users want comparable experiences across wireless, wireline, and cable networks. This is where an IMS architecture comes into play, allowing services to be delivered independent of the type of network or device being used. IMS also means cost savings for operators because they only have to manage a single network. And, since IMS enables applications to be developed more quickly and easily, operators can experiment with introducing new services like converged mobility, push to talk, multiplayer gaming, IPTV, and VoIP.
Richard Lowe
President
Mobility and Converged Core Networks, Nortel
