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IP : Mobile Network Convergence Snippets

Samsung UbiCell CDMA Base Station for Sprint

March 2007 - Samsung is releasing a mobile network boosting station device designed for the home market. The UbiCell base station, which looks like a WiFi access point, is a mini cell tower designed for CDMA 1x networks. The device connects to a mobile network through a broadband connection to enhance cell coverage in the home. This device compares favorably with previous UMA technology, mainly due to nothing special being required to operate the base station. Samsung will be distributing the UbiCell through Sprint, though other versions (such as GSM) may appear on other carriers.

Core IP Routers Not Sustainable Business

"The nature of the routing business has changed and is under pressure from other technologies, such as Ethernet switches," said CEO Bill Leighton during today's investor conference call. "Core routing is not a sustainable growth business for us. especially given our reliance on one customer."

Carrier Ethernet

The use of carrier Ethernet, business voice, and circuit emulation enables telcos and MSOs to cost-effectively extend their network reach and provide more services at the high quality that is critical to meeting business service requirements. The use of IP/MPLS and an aggregation network enables the convergence of the various access network technologies while ensuring high availability and management of services end to end.

Optical Networking

We are entering a new phase in optical networking. Critical questions are:

What is driving the resurgence in backbone DWDM spending, and is it meaningful?
What role will optical networking play in operators' business models of the future?
Is it finally time for 40-Gig?
How will packet and optical networks converge, and what level of data functionality is required in optical gear?

VOIP and IPTV Service Assurance Reference Architectures

VOIP and IPTV require a high level of performance in order to assure a satisfactory quality of experience for demanding customers.

Next generation of mobile broadband technology, LTE (long-term evolution)

Cost of 3G Vs. BWA/WiMax

Broadband wireless access [BWA/WiMax] spectrum is less expensive than 3G spectrum. The price-per-Hertz for WiMax spectrum is as much as 1,000 times lower than the price of 3G spectrum.

In the U.S., BWA and WiMax spectrum is in the 2.5 GHz band, while Canada licenses in both the 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands. Most spectrum awards are regional — 100 percent in the United States and 78 percent in Europe. There now are 721 BWA/WiMax spectrum holders worldwide versus 106 for 3G; the most BWA/WiMax licenses — 394 — are held in North America.

Note: There are fixed wireless and mobile versions of WiMax, and the differences between them are fairly significant. More on WiMax