LTE will - through a combination of very high downlink (and uplink) transmission speeds, increased flexibility, efficient use of spectrum and reduced packet latency- enhance the delivery of mobile broadband services while adding exciting new value-added service possibilities.
This means that operators will be offered a toolset that will allow them to recapture profits and revenues that are rapidly deteriorating and eroding due to the fact that the existing mobile services are accelerating their way towards commoditization.
LTE will effectively allow the inventive operator to stabilize and slowly reverse presently declining average revenues per user (ARPU), something that is characterizing most mature mobile markets.
One possibility for quick service introduction – although not part of the Service Architecture Evolution (SAE) concept per se- is the use of the IP Multimedia Subsystem known as IMS.
The IMS Subsystem
The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is a generic architecture targeted for the quick design, delivery and deployment of IP multimedia services, and was originally proposed and developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).
Originally developed for delivering services over GSM based mobile technologies, the IMS subsystem and related framework can today be implemented over various other types of networks including the fixed line network. This type of technology is commonly referred to as access agnostic.
According to Camarillo and Martin's " The 3G IP Multimedia Subsystem" (Wiley 2004), the general architecture of the IMS system includes provisions for general connectivity, such as reliance on the Session Initiation Protocol or SIP, which allows easy and transparent connection to the Internet, or Internet Protocol based networks.
Strategic use of the IMS system implies general network evolution towards common wireline and wireless multimedia and voice applications leading to a form of fixed mobile convergence. In other words, the same service can be used in the fixed and mobile networks.
The service is introduced through the IMS platform and can be independently used by fixed line and mobile subscribers.
Rich Service Possibilities
LTE’s richer service possibilities through increasingly high download speeds and reduced packet latency will provide consumers an enriched user experienced which will be typified by the large-scale streaming, downloading and sharing of video, music and rich multimedia content.
All these services will need significantly greater throughput to provide adequate quality of service, particularly as users’ future expectations will be increased by the growing popularity of other high-bandwidth platforms like High Definition TV transmission.
For business customers it will mean high-speed transfer of large files, high-quality videoconferencing and secure nomadic access to corporate networks.
New Service Domains
Similarly, LTE brings the characteristics of today’s ‘Web 2.0’ into the mobile space for the first time. Alongside secure e-commerce, this will span real-time peer-to peer applications like multiplayer gaming and file sharing.
In addition, LTE will open a dimension of new possibilities with a distinct set of services that do not have clear analogies in today’s fixed network environment. Such services will allow business and governments to become more efficient and will include back office IT support functions as well as ‘machine to machine’ (M2M) applications and large-scale exchange community based projects.
Antonis Hontzeas - Antonis Hontzeas has been in the forefront of the Telecommunications industry for over twenty years. Tenures include positions ranging ...
Join the Conversation