3G traffic volumes to increase by 20X in 5 years

 "3G traffic volumes will increase by more than 20 times, in the next 5 years" says a market research report from Unwired Insight. Mobile broadband services will account for the largest proportion (73.5%) of all data usage and will represent the biggest challenge for mobile operators. According to the research, 3G operators will have a tough time coping up with the traffic demands. We can clearly see that the penetration of smart phones such as iPhone & bandwidth intensive applications such as video streaming, are adding more stress to the mobile data networks. The report says that "LTE will be an essential upgrade" for the network operators. It also warns 3G operators to avoid low prices for mobile broadband services, to impose fair-usage policies or service restrictions and to slow down the migration of customers from 2/2.5G to 3G services.

Source: Unwired Insight

LTE vs Wimax - Deployments

WiMax

WiMax provides broadband wireless connectivity to the last mile. WiMax can be deployed to provide fixed and mobile broadband data/voice services. It is primarily deployed to provide fixed broadband services. The following are some real world applications of WiMax technology:

- Mobile commerce
- Video Surveillance
- Education
- IPTV services
- Mobile Broadband (for ex., WiBro, a home grown Korean mobile WiMax is integrated with mobile handsets, MP3 players, Laptops, gaming devices)
- Remote monitoring of fixed assets
- Networks-on-wheels for staff
- Global Positioning Systems
- Connectivity for Distribution Automated (DA) devices (Utilities companies)
- Backhaul for smart meter collectors (Utilities companies)

LTE

LTE is positioned as the next generation mobile wireless technology, providing an upgrade path to 4G from 3G. The technology is standardised and there are several trials going on throughout the world (Verizon, NTT-Docomo, TeliaSonera, Tele2, China Mobile are some early adopters). LTE technology will be used to provide Mobile broadband services (Large-scale live streaming, downloading and sharing of rich multimedia content such as videos & music, Data connectivity to cameras/camcorders etc.,). We'll continue to learn about the real world applications as more & more operators start to deploy services using the technology.

Also read:

LTE vs WiMax - Sneak Peek

4G LTE vs WiMax - Sneak Peek

	LTE	WiMax
What	• An All-IP radio technology that increases the capacity of mobile telecommunication networks         • 3GPP Standard         • 115 Mbps speed         • Mobility rate of 350 km/hr	• Primarily a replacement for last-mile wired broadband technologies (DSL & Cable) • IEEE Standard • 10 Mbps speed • Mobility of 120 km/hr
Why	Data intensive mobile applications (such as online videos) and mobile devices (such as iPhones & Blackberrys) trigger the need for LTE	Need for providing Internet access to places where laying fiber cables  is not  technically/economically feasible (such as rural areas)
How	• Uses multi-layer antenna solution to achieve high data rates (MIMO ) • Uses OFDMA & SCFDMA for air interfaces	• Uses dynamic burst algorithm modulation adaptive to the physical environment the RF signal travels through • Uses OFDMA & SOFDMA for air interface
Where	Trials are happening in US, Europe,  Japan, China & Korea (Also read: LTE vs WiMax Deployments)	Majority of the trials & deployments are happening in the developing countries (Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico etc.,)
When	Commercial deployments expected to happen in 2010	Commercial deployments are happening in several places, already