PRESENTED BY: MANIK GUPTA TM-08-026 NEHA PANDEY TM-08-029

WiMAX, meaning Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access,is a telecommunications technology that provides wireless transmission of data using a variety of transmission modes, from point-to-point links to portable internet access.

The technology provides up to 75 Mb/s symmetric broadband speed without the need for cables. The technology is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard (also called Broadband Wireless Access).

•The name "WiMAX" was created by the WiMAX Forum, which was formed in June 2001 to promote conformity and interoperability of the standard. •The forum describes WiMAX as "a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL".

• 1998– NIST interest in high-speed broadband wireless for fixed site users– IEEE launched 802 LAN/MAN (Local/Metropolitan Area Networks) Standards Committee.• Within six months– 802.16 Working Group on Broadband Wireless Access• 2001– WirelessMAN® air interface approved as IEEE Standard 802.16– Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) Forum• 2002– IEEE 802.16 Working Group (mobile applications)• 2004– IEEE 802.16-2004 (fixed)• 2005– IEEE 802.16e-2005 (mobile)• 2007– WiMAX recognized by the ITU-R as an IMT-2000 technology in October

WiMAX Development History

•802.16-2004 is often called 802.16d, since that was the working party that developed the standard. It is also frequently referred to as "fixed WiMAX" since it has no support for mobility.•802.16e-2005 is an amendment to 802.16-2004 and is often referred to in shortened form as 802.16e. It introduced support for mobility, amongst other things and is therefore also known as "mobile WiMAX".

STANDARDS

WiMAX, 802.16e-2005, stands to unify what has been a fragmented market. It promises so-called "universal WiMAX" - one access technology capable of supporting fixed, nomadic and mobile services. The convergence of demand for all three on a single standard holds unprecedented hope for mass adoption, economies of scale, and lower costs, both for infrastructure and terminal equipment.

UsesThe bandwidth and range of WiMAX make it suitable for the following potential applications:•Connecting Wi-Fi hotspots to the Internet.•Providing a wireless alternative to cable and DSL for "last mile" broadband access.•Providing data and telecommunications services.•Providing portable connectivity.

Spectrum allocation issues The 802.16 specification applies

across a wide RF spectrum, and WiMAX could function on any frequency below 66 GHz, (higher frequencies would decrease the range of a Base Station to a few hundred meters in an urban environment).

There is no uniform global licensed spectrum for WiMAX, although the WiMAX Forum has published three licensed spectrum profiles: 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz

In an effort to decrease cost: economies of scale dictate that the more WiMAX embedded devices (such as mobile phones and WiMAX-embedded laptops) are produced, the lower the unit cost.

Telecom companies are unlikely to use this spectrum widely other than for backhaul, since they do not own and control the spectrum.

In the USA, the biggest segment available is around 2.5 GHz,

Elsewhere in the world, the most-likely bands used will be the Forum approved ones, with 2.3 GHz probably being most important in Asia. Some countries in Asia like India and Indonesia will use a mix of 2.5 GHz, 3.3 GHz and other frequencies. Pakistan's Wateen Telecom uses 3.5 GHz.

•A commonly-held misconception is that WiMAX will deliver 70 Mbit/s over 31 miles/50 kilometers. •In reality, WiMAX can only do one or the other operating over maximum range (31 miles/50 km) increases bit error rate and thus must use a lower bit rate. •Lowering the range allows a device to operate at higher bitrates.•Rated Mobile WiMAX or other Mobile WiMAX devices

Fixed WiMAX networks have a higher-gain directional antenna installed near the client (customer) which results in greatly increased range and throughput.

Mobile WiMAX networks are usually made of indoor "customer premises equipment" (CPE) such as desktop modems, laptops with integ

Mobile WiMAX devices typically have an omni-directional antenna which is of lower-gain compared to directional antennas but are more portable.

In a line-of-sight environment with a portable Mobile WiMAX CPE, speeds of 10 Mbit/s at 6 miles/10 km could be delivered.

In urban environments they may not have line-of-sight and therefore users may only receive 10 Mbit/s over 2 km.

In current deployments, throughputs are often closer to 2 Mbit/s symmetric at 10 km with fixed WiMAX and a high gain antenna.

Higher-gain directional antennas can be used with a Mobile WiMAX network with range and throughput benefits but the obvious loss of practical mobility

No single frequency band common across the globe for WiMax equipment.

The list of frequencies that a WiMax equipment would need to incorporate is a long one and includes 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.4 GHz, 3.5 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 5.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz and possibly others such as 700 MHz and 900 MHz.

This scattered spectrum environment means that issues related to interoperability cannot be sorted out unless spectrum is harmonized.

Equipment vendors would have

limited ability to drop WiMax equipment prices.

Cost of WiMax Customer Premises Equipment (CPEs) that would account for around 50-60 percent of an operator's capex.

The cost to remain on the higher side for another 2-3 years.

Difficult to roll out WiMax on a mass scale.

At best, they can use it to complement their existing DSL or Ethernet based broadband offerings

• Business Plans/Revenue Models– US municipalities scaling back in wireless projects– Investors concerns about return oninvestment• Real-World Performance– Range, speed up to promise?• Standards competition– Path to 4G

OTHER Challenges

WiMax & Competing Technologies

– Driven by sub-$10/month ARPU for mass market deployment– Sub-$100 - $150 CPEs required

PERFORMANCE BREAKTHROUGHS NEEDED:– Near Line of Sight for ease of installation– Long reach of WiMAX for Rural applications to leverage existing/ proposed cellular/ USO infrastructure

AVAILABILTY OF ULTRA LOW COST PCS:– PC penetration hampered by the lack of sub-$300 full featured PCs

MARKET CHALLENGES

MARKET CONFUSIONS:STANDARD WARS:– “d” vs “e” vs “.20”

DIFFERENT MARKET DIFFERENT NEEDS:– Emerging Markets – Fixed & Portable Wireless

Broadband Access – Here & Now

Operator Needs & Expectations

MOBILE OPERATORS Expand personal broadband services to areas where 3G is not available Reduce cost/bit/Hz over the access network

FIXED NETWORK OPERATORSModem Cost Efficiency,Capacity,Optimization Spectral Efficiency,Infrastructure Cost efficiency Standards complianceProper Transport Mechanisms Enhance Fixed broadband offerings with Personal Broadband services Improved economics for “Hot Zone” services Fixed mobile convergence

FOCUS ON MARKETING AND MEETING SUBCRIBER’S NEEDS

Issues to be Resolved

Challenges of existing 3.3GHz allocations• Inadequate Spectrum per Operator, which is only 12MHz• Operators using 3MHz per sector for current deployments• 3MHz is not part of any WiMAX 802.16e profile• Need min. of 5MHz channel bandwidth for certification• Lack of definite plan from WIMAX forum for 3.3GHz profile certification• License fee for 3.3GHz not business friendly• Does not enable operators to offer low cost broadband services for mass residential market

Simulation results show that at least 20-30 MHz of spectrum in 2.5GHz band required per operator.

Current 40MHz of spectrum only sufficient for two Operators.

Need to identify additional 40Mhz of spectrum.

Need 20-30 MHz WiMAX Spectrum Allocations on circle level per operator

There are three International standards that are in common acceptance or in the process of finalization. These are the IEEE 802.16, the European HiperMAN and the Korean WiBro/Mobile WiMAX. These standards have many similarities, but there are some differences. A major task of the WiMAX Forum ™ is to ensure that support for all three is incorporated into the global WiMAX standard.

– 2.5G/3G subs will increase from 1.4 Bn to 2 Bn (from 2004 2008)

– Creates massive economies of scale for 3G technologies.

Scalability Base station economics Compatibility and interoperability

with infrastructure Client device costs Time scale for commercial availability

WiMAX Business Drivers in Indian Market

• Low broadband penetration in the rural/sub urban areas• Demand for internet connectivity from SOHO is growing rapidly,– can’t be met effectively by the existing wireline technologies• Cost effective service availability to subscribers• Need for high Bandwidth• Low Tariffs

WiMAX is a Global Standard that has certified products shipping worldwide and interoperate with gear in the same frequency range and power range. 

ABS (Aircel Aircel Business Solutions) has enabled has enabled wireless connectivity in Chennai for connectivity in Chennai for SMEs SMEs and Enterprise clients and Enterprise clients through through WiMAX WiMAX (fixed) based on 802.16d standards at a (fixed) based on 802.16d standards at a speed range of 2 to 10 Mbps (Oct. 2006).

  http://www.cxotoday.com/India/News/Chennai_Gets_WiMAX_Courtesy_Aircel/551-76481-912.html

VSNL has set aside a capex capex of of Rs Rs 1,000 1,000 crore crore for its for its WiMAX WiMAX services (Oct. 3, 2007)

VSNL, already runs a WiMAX service for enterprises in Bangalore service for enterprises in Bangalore and allocated spectrum for another 50 and has been allocated spectrum for another 50-60 cities.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=300060

With a reported target of 40 cities and 300 towns, Tata Communications has major plans for the expansion of its WiMAX services in India. This three-year plan comes at an investment of 500 million dollars.

http://www.centralchronicle.com/20080227/2702162.htm

Widely used international broadband spectrum range in the 3.5 GHz channels is not available in the US, although the FCC has recently opened a small slice of lightly regulated spectrum in the US at 3.65 GHz that uses the same WiMAX radios.

A dual WiMAX/GSM handset is already on the market in Russia.

•WiMAX FORUM PROJECTION:

•By 2012 India to have 27.5 million WiMAX users-- 20% of global WiMAX subscribers.

•Of the projected 27.5 million WiMAX users in 2012, ---70% will use mobile and portable WiMAX devices to access broadband Internet services.

WiMAX is a very interesting new development in the area of wireless broadband access.

Major Problems: -spectrum allocation Multiple vendors for certified

common equipment.

Modest deployments when compared to cellular broadband.

Mobile broadband ARPU increasing in importance to overall operator revenues

Integration of WiMAX into CE is still subject to the emergence of larger.

Expected to be deployed by different kinds of network operators (wireless Internet service providers, cellular operators, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) operators), using different business models.