4G Americas announced the publication of Rysavy's report, Mobile Broadband Explosion: The 3GPP Wireless Evolution, which examines fundamental technology dynamics and analytically compares mobile technologies on measureable aspects, including data speeds for the uplink and downlink, latency, spectral efficiency and market basis. The paper discusses various features in the evolution of EDGE, HSPA enhancements, and LTE and explains how these technologies fit into the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) roadmap that includes International Mobile Telecommunications-Advanced (IMT-Advanced) and beyond. It also reviews spectrum considerations and policy developments, core-network evolution and broadband-wireless deployment considerations. "Pervasive adoption, ever more powerful new networks, spectacular handheld devices and close to two million mobile applications have helped to create an explosion in the mobile broadband market," stated Peter Rysavy, President of Rysavy Research and author of the newly published white paper announced today by 4G Americas. "Not only is mobile broadband the leading edge in innovation and development for computing, networking, Internet technology and software—it is also transforming society." Through constant innovation and improvement, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) with High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) technology has established itself as the global mobile broadband solution. The GSM/Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies has not only matched or exceeded the capabilities of all competing approaches, but significantly extended the life of each of its member technologies. Initial LTE deployments occurred more quickly than any new wireless technology previously deployed; LTE has become the global cellular technology platform of choice for both GSM-UMTS and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) / Evolved Data Optimized (EV-DO) operators while Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) operators are adopting LTE-Time Division Duplex (LTE-TDD). The wireless technology roadmap now extends through IMT-Advanced, with LTE-Advanced defined to meet IMT-Advanced requirements; LTE-Advanced is capable of peak theoretical throughput rates that exceed 1 gigabit per second (Gbps). Operators began deploying LTE-Advanced in 2013. Key capabilities include carrier aggregation, more advanced smart antennas and better HetNet support. HSPA+ provides a strategic performance roadmap advantage for incumbent GSM-HSPA operators. Features such as multi-carrier operation, Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) and higher-order modulation offer operators numerous options for upgrading their networks, with many of these features (including multi-carrier and higher-order modulation) becoming available as network software upgrades. With all planned features implemented, HSPA+ peak rates will eventually reach a top theoretical speed of 336 Mbps on the downlink and 69 Mbps on the uplink. Despite the industry's best efforts to deploy the most efficient technologies possible, overwhelming demand is already leading to isolated instances of congestion which will become widespread unless more spectrum becomes available in the near future. Wi-Fi is playing an ever more important role as a means to increase data capacity. Innovations include tighter coupling to mobile broadband networks, automatic authentication and network selection and more secure communications. "Major developments this past year include not only HSPA+ ubiquity, but rapid deployment of LTE networks, deepening smartphone capability, tablets outselling laptops and ever more sophisticated technical approaches for addressing data demands," stated Chris Pearson, President of 4G Americas. "The need for additional spectrum remains urgent; the success of new initiatives by industry and government to either make more spectrum available or to use existing spectrum more efficiently are critical." With 6 billion connections today, the 3GPP family of technologies is available on nearly 800 networks in more than 220 countries worldwide. Mobile broadband HSPA is commercialized on 476 networks in 181 countries; LTE has already been commercialized on more than 200 networks in 78 countries, with a total commitment from more than 440 operators to deploy LTE. As HSPA+ and LTE mobile broadband penetration increases and deployment of infrastructure expands, users can engage in even more data intensive applications, spurring greater market innovation and economic benefit. 4G Americas
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