LTE is slated to become the next generation of wireless technology. The spectral efficiency alone, meaning the number of data bits supported on a given frequency, clinches the deal. The business case is compelling: with LTE you get more capacity, and therefore more revenue, out of the same investment in spectrum licenses.
LTE is designed for faster deployment and greater cost-efficiency than prior generations of wireless technologies. While the claims of carriers and vendors about extremely rapid time to market may seem unbelievable, I fully expect that we will be seeing LTE deployments hit their timing targets by taking advantage of new technology developments and enhancements to the 3GPP standard.
The major challenge is deploying an LTE network rapidly and controlling operating cost. Capital dollars are scarce. Return on investment must be almost immediate in these lean times. Each successive generation of service must be a clear improvement over the last to meet the cost-per-bit levels needed to support data-heavy business plans.
New radio amplifiers, such as those pioneered by Fujitsu, use Gallium Nitride (GaN) for extremely efficient, reliable amplification across very wide frequency bands. These amplifiers simplify network design and reduce required spares, drastically lowering the impact on operations. Increased amplifier reliability reduces maintenance costs and allows LTE equipment to be deployed into locations once deemed impractical due to high failure rates. Remote, hard-to-service locations are now feasible cell sites.
LTE also brings in Self Organizing Networking (SON) features to reduce major manual reconfiguration and enable incremental elements to come on line quickly, practically unassisted by the operations team. As a result, valuable time and resources can be diverted to more productive use, such as network expansion.
LTE technology brings a whole new view of physical aspects to the eNodeB since network elements are far smaller and lighter. Size is an important consideration. Some eNodeBs, like the Fujitsu product, meet the OSHA limit for single-person lift and can be installed by a single technician – even at the top of a cell tower or building.
Additionally, these smaller units, especially those under a cubic foot in volume, meet space restrictions imposed by municipalities and building owners. Even at traditional cell sites, compact unit size combined with new environmentally hardened technology eliminate the environmental enclosures traditionally seen at the base of cellular towers. Units are mounted on a post or pedestal open to the elements.
Vendor selection is as critical to successful LTE deployment as the equipment itself. With the right partner, operators can deploy LTE networks much more rapidly and at a far lower operational cost than any other network, allowing for the delivery of commercial service in 2010 as promised.
About the author:
Jim Orr is a principal network architect in the wireless market development group at Fujitsu. He has worked in the telecommunications industry for more than 15 years, serving in various engineering, network planning, network architecture and marketing roles in both the vendor and the carrier community. Before joining Fujitsu, Jim increased his industry experience in network architecture and implementation with Latus Lightworks, McLeod Communications, Caprock Communications, GST Telecom, Electric Lightwave and Northern Telecom. Jim holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Washington State University.
