Technology choice for the future
Backers of LTE and WiMax are locked in a battle for the minds of operators.
Backers of LTE and WiMax are locked in a battle for the minds of operators.
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Technology choice for the future
- Thread starter rpm
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friedpiggy
Expert Member
i couldnt care less if its built out of chewing gum and fairy dust, as long as its fast, affordable and reliable.
likewise i don't give a rats ass what it is as long it's lightning fast and doesn't cost much
vodacom3g
Vodacom Representative
Only if the WiMax camp get its act together soon. When WiMax was first announced everybody were in favour, but now (years later) the standards are still not firmed up, political difference between .16 and .20 clouds the environment and the kit is still very early-adoptor.
This gave LTE time to gain ground and, if this situation continues, might just be the preferred technology soon.
Time will tell. In the mean time, we're building 2 networks and use WiMax as a DSL replacement.
Roman4604
Executive Member
Not sure how applicable this is, but in my many years in ICT I've noticed a trend that the simpler, more light-weight technology usually beats out the more complex, heavily-engineered one. Some examples ...
Ethernet vs. Token Ring
IP (MPLS) vs. ATM
SIP vs. H.323
WiMAX is basically wireless IP with no backward association to any legacy technology. May count in its favour in the future.
Ethernet vs. Token Ring
IP (MPLS) vs. ATM
SIP vs. H.323
WiMAX is basically wireless IP with no backward association to any legacy technology. May count in its favour in the future.
vodacom3g
Vodacom Representative
Or the more people try and create a de juro standard (OSI, for example, or dare I say; WiMax), the more people adopt politics-free, non-bloatware standards as de facto (your IP for example).
While we've been reading about all the WiMAX hype and boardroom battles, LTE quietly arrived and is getting down to business.
On top of this you have the majority of the networks who already have substantial investments in 3G who'll try and protect those investments. And it's them who are spending the money with the manufacturers, so they have a fair amount of clout.
But, I agree, if you're a new kid on the block (from a networking perspective), WiMax is very attractive.
Roman4604
Executive Member
I think thats a given, I dont believe theres any deployments or even business cases where HS(D)PA could work as a data only solution without the voice revenues. The mobile vendor community prices these incomes into their equipment/solution costs and I'm sure it will be no different for LTE upgrades. For this reason WiMAX is a no brainer for non (TDM) voice network providers.But, I agree, if you're a new kid on the block (from a networking perspective), WiMax is very attractive.
The big question will be, can 16e get enough critical mass to make the cost of HS(D)PA->WiMAX so much more financially appealing than HS(D)PA->LTE (for high capacity broadband only) to potentially sway some of the mobile operators. Probably a long shot, but who knows.