In a nutshell, wireless broadband access (WBA) is an access technology which offers high-speed data access over the air. In other words, high-speed connectivity anytime, anywhere.
Singapore, 25 February 2005In a nutshell, wireless broadband access (WBA) is an access technology which offers high-speed data access over the air. In other words, high-speed connectivity anytime, anywhere.
In today's market, there are various technologies offered for the provision of wireless broadband access (WBA) services operating in both licensed and license-exempt frequency bands.
Generally, WBA can be divided into two broad categories:
Fixed WBA
The leading fixed wireless broadband standard and technology today is IEEE 802.16-2004 endorsed by the WiMAX Forum. WiMAX or World Interoperability for Microwave Access Forum, is an organisation set up by industry players to promote the deployment of fixed broadband wireless access by using a global standard IEEE 802.16. WiMAX is also chartered to certify the interoperability of WBA products and technologies.
Other fixed WBA offerings include proprietary technologies such as those developed by SOMA Networks.
Mobile WBA
Mobile WBA can be used for the delivery of both fixed and mobile broadband services.
The mobile WBA market as it stands today is highly fragmented. A mobile WBA standard has yet to be finalized by the industry. Leading companies involved in developing mobile WBA technologies include ArrayComm (iBurst), Flarion Technologies, IPWireless, Navini and Samsung.
The 4 primary groups working on a mobile wireless broadband standard are: UMTS-TDD (also known as WCDMA-TDD), 1x EVDO, WiMAX (802.16e) and 802.20 (MobileFi) (Source: Arthur D Little Mobile Broadband Wireless Report 2004).
For a compilation of the various fixed and mobile WBA technologies in the market today, please refer to the attachment. Information gathered here have been gathered from various sources such as industry reports and vendor websites for this quick snapshot of WBA technologies today.
Useful Links
* INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE, 25 February 2005. Online. Media Release: Singapore Moves Towards Realising Anytime, Anywhere Wireless Broadband Connectivity. Available at: http://www.ida.gov.sg/News%20and%20Events/20050712105424.aspx?getPagetype=20
* WiMAX Forum. 2005. Online. Available at: http://www.wimaxforum.org/home.
ANNEXES
ANNEX A : FIXED WIRELESS BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY : WIMAX - 802.16-2004 STANDARD
| WIMAX-802.16-2004 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access Scheme | OFDM/Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) | ||||
| Duplexing1 | TDD, FDD | ||||
| Channelisation2 (802.16-2004) |
Between 1.25 to 28MHz | ||||
| Throughput (802.16-2004 std) |
- Depends on individual vendor.
- Up to 134Mbps for SC at 28MHz - Throughput varies with modulation scheme and channel bandwitdth (i.e. For 20 MHz of channelisation, throughput is 32Mbps using QPSK, througput is 64Mbps using 16QAM). |
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| Available Customer Devices |
- Mainly fixed certified equipment expected to be available in 2005/2006. Currently, most available products are pre-WIMAX. - Limited mobility (802.16e) likely mid/end 2006. |
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| Mobility | Fixed and nomadic without handoff (802.16-2004) at this point. - Limited and full mobility (802.16e) up to 100 kmph in mid/end 2006. |
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| Spectrum3 | 2-11 GHz, 10-66 GHz (Main focus: 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz and unlicensed 5.8 GHz) |
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| Vendors/ operating frequency (e.g. pre-WIMAX vendors) |
Aperto/ 2.5 GHz, 3.3 GHz , 3.5 GHz, 5.3GHz , 5.8 GHz |
Alvarion/ 3.5 GHz, 5.8 GHz, 2.5 GHz |
Nex-G / Target licensed exempt bands initially e.g. 5.8 GHz. Subsequently licensed bands e.g. 3.5 Ghz, 2.5 Ghz |
Redline Communications/ 3.5 GHz, 5.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz |
WiLAN/ 2.4 GHz, 3.5 GHz, 5.8GHz (depending on products) |
| Commercialization (limited selection) |
Deployed/trialed by: " Iberbanda, Spain; "Enertel, Holland; "Sequelle Communications Alliance, USA |
" Summerside Community Network, USA; "Telekom Serbia, Israel; "Axtel, Mexico |
None | " Telabria, UK; " I-Netlink Wireless, Canada " Thirteen WNET/New York, USA |
"Marathon Oil, USA; "TM Net Sdn. Bhd, Malaysia |
(Sources: Aggregated from vendors and vendors websites; IEEE standard for LAN/MAN by IEEE Computer Society and IEEE Microwave Theory and Technique Society)
1 See IEEE standard for LAN/MAN by IEEE Computer Society and IEEE Microwave Theory and Technique Society for details
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ANNEX B : FIXED WIRELESS BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY (PROPRIETARY) : SOMA NETWORKS
| WCDMA | |
|---|---|
| Bandwidths | FDD: 5MHz |
| Throughput | 12Mpbs/sector, 72Mbps/cell |
| Available Customer Devices | RJ-11 phone jacks, USB, Ethernet subscriber terminal |
| Mobility | No |
| Spectrum | 1.9 GHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz |
| Commercialisation (limited selection) |
SOMA is currently deployed by: 3 Rivers Communications, USA AlwaysOn Network, USA |
(Source: Aggregated from vendor and vendors website.)
ANNEX C : SOME LEADING MOBILE WIRELESS BROADBAND TECHNOLOGIES
| Company | ArrayComm | Flarion | IPWireless | Navini | Samsung |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System | iBurst | RadioRouter | IPWireless | Ripwave | WIMAX/Wibro |
| Access Scheme | TDMA/FDMA/SDMA | Flash OFDM, Flash-OFDM Flexband | UMTS TD-CDMA | MC-SCDMA | OFDMA |
| Spectrum | 5 or 10 MHz TDD | 2x 1.25 MHz FDD, 2 x 5Mhz FDD (three 1.25Mhz carriers), 2 x 5Mhz FDD (one 5Mhz carrier) |
5 or 10 MHz TDD 2x 5 MHz FDD 2x 10MHz FDD |
5 MHz TDD | 10 MHz TDD |
| Per User Throughout (DL/UL) | 1 Mbps/345 kbps (5 MHz bandwidth) |
1.5Mbps/500kbps, 2.5Mbps/900kbps, 6.0Mbps/2.5Mbps |
1.5 Mbps/512 kbps (5 MHz bandwidth) | 2.0 Mbps/1.0 Mbps (max.) for standalone and outdoor modem. 1.0 Mbps/.5 Mbps (max.) for PCMCIA |
3 Mbps/1 Mbps |
| Available Customer Devices | - PCMCIA - Standalone Ethernet /USB modem |
- PCMCIA - Desktop modem - Chipset - WiFi/FOFDM AP |
- PCMCIA - Standalone Ethernet/USB modem - Chipset - IPWireless/WiFi gateway - VoIP Integrated Access Device - Handset, from Feb 05 |
- PCMCIA - Standalone Ethernet/USB modem -Outdoor Modem |
- No commercial product yet- PCMCIA, handset in 05. |
| Mobility | < 80=""> | < 300=""> | < 120=""> | Limited low speed mobility until WIMAX 802.16e | < 120=""> |
| Standardisation affiliation | 802.20 | 802.20 | 3GPP UMTS TDD | 802.20 & WIMAX 802.16e, ATIS 0700001 | WIMAX 802.16e |
| Commercialisation (limited selection) |
PBA, Australia; WBS, South Africa; 8 ongoing trials |
Trial by: Nextel, North Carolina, US; CellularOne, Texas, US; Vodafone, Japan; Telstra, Australia; T-Mobile, Netherlands; OCTO (Public Safety), Washington DC, US. |
Woosh Wireless, NZ; UK Broadband (PCCW); Maxis, Malaysia; Sentech, South Africa; AirData, Germany 15 ongoing trials: Optus, Australia; Nextel, USA; Orange, France; Hutchison, HK & Italy. |
IBAX, Italy; Unwired, Australia; > 11 ongoing trials. |
None yet. Successful trial with Wibro systems & prototype terminals in Dec 04. Commercial launch in Q1/06. |
(Sources: Aggregated from Arthur D Little Mobile Wireless Broadband Report 2004, vendors and vendors websites.)
GLOSSARY
- Access scheme
The method users access a system. Examples of these include TDMA, FDMA, CDMA etc.
- Bandwidths
The portion of a frequency spectrum occupied by a signal. Typically, bandwidths are measured in KHz and MHz.
- Throughput & Per User Throughput
The amount of data transferred from one place to another in a specified amount of time. Typically, throughputs are measured in Kbps, Mbps and Gbps.
- Duplexing
Duplexing is the transmission of voice and/or data signals that allows simultaneous 2-way communication.
- Channelisation
Determination of the bandwidth being used to transmit the data.
- System
Ensemble of equipments and technologies providing a service.
- Standardisation Affiliation
To be related to a particular standard.
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