Anil Ambani Seeks Use Of Spectrum-efficient Technology

[Arun 795]

After seeking the surrender of spectrum, Reliance Communications (RCom) Chairman Anil Ambani is seeking installation of frequency-efficient technologies such as synchronised network and FemtoCells that can be used at no additional cost. Ambani listed seven technologies to improve mobile network efficiency in the country.

In a presentation to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ambani said that in synchronised network the towers were synchronised using global positioning system or suite. This technology helps in improving radio network capacity by 20 per cent.

Another technology suggested by Ambani is the dynamic frequency & channel allocation (DFCA), which eliminates possible frequency collision.

Usually, the frequencies used by two network nodes may cause interference to each other when the two nodes move too close.

To avoid this, there is a need to dynamically assign frequencies to network nodes. According to Ambani, DFCA enhances radio network capacity by 60-90 per cent.

Ambani further suggested the installation of 6-sector base transceiver station (BTS) in place of the present 3-sector BTS. The 6-sector BTS, an emerging technology for towers, doubles the capacity of 3-sector BTS in the spectrum.

Stating that this system nearly doubles network capacity, Ambani added that the group operated 200 6-sector sites through Reliance Communications (CDMA) and Reliance Telecom (GSM) services in the country. Vodafone used this system in Hyderabad, informed Ambani.

The fourth technology Ambani advocated for adoption is adaptive modulation rate (AMR). This technology increases network capacity by 150 per cent at no additional cost.

Even though, networks in the country are not AMR-compliant, the handsets being launched after 2003 are AMR-enabled. At present, there are over 110 million AMR-enabled handsets in use in the country.

Single antenna interference cancellation (SAIC) is another technology suggested by Ambani. This technology cancels or suppresses interference by means of signal processing without multiple antenna.

Ambani stated in his presentation that SAIC handsets were available in the market since 2004 and majority of Nokia phones were compatible with this technology. Nokia has a market share of 70 per cent in the country, and it would not be difficult for service providers to implement this technology.

FemtoCells, a new technology that boosts indoor coverage of mobile phone networks, thus reducing call drops and signal failures – is another technology suggested by Ambani.

The technology also improves spectral efficiency by releasing BTS capacity for outdoor use. Over 100 million FemtoCells are expected to be operational by 2011.

Ambani has also suggested use of In Building Solutions such as splitters and couplers, radio frequency feeder and indoor base stations to help in saving spectrum.

He also quoted a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) survey which stated that 70 per cent of calls in a cellular network were in-building calls.

Seven technologies to save spectrum

• Synchronised Network
  
• Dynamic Frequency & Channel Allocation (DFCA)
  
• 6-sector towers
  
• Adaptive Modulation Rate (AMR)
  
• Single Antenna Interference Cancellation (SAIC)
  
• FemtoCells
  
• In Building Solutions
  

[KumaarShah 143]

wow!!!!

All the above apply only to GSM or even to CDMA? ADA needs to improve CDMA network services also. What say?

[kshah 452]

wow!!!!

All the above apply only to GSM or even to CDMA? ADA needs to improve CDMA network services also. What say?

GSM is very old technology hence it has far more scope of improvement than CDMA. CDMA is atleast 4 times more efficient in spectrum utilization.

[Honest 836]

All the above apply only to GSM or even to CDMA? ADA needs to improve CDMA network services also. What say?

@KumaarShah

My dear friend, I think ADA first think to provide world class technology for its coming GSM services nationwide than after they will consider CDMA networks for the improvement.

Regards.

[situ1962 21]

Really,what an update!laymen like us knew nothing about these technical things.also now a days terms like wcdma,umts,hqdpa,rev 0,rev a,etc are doing the sounds.most of all don't know about then.can anybody please throw some light on them?

[amtrag 20]

wow!!!!

All the above apply only to GSM or even to CDMA? ADA needs to improve CDMA network services also. What say?

GSM is very old technology hence it has far more scope of improvement than CDMA. CDMA is atleast 4 times more efficient in spectrum utilization.

Exactly. That is why coai is demanding that spectrum allocation ratio should be 4:1 instead of present 2:1 (i.e.GSM:CDMA)

My dear friend, I think ADA first think to provide world class technology for its coming GSM services nationwide than after they will consider CDMA networks for the improvement.

I think it is less costlier & easier to implement these spectrum-efficient technologies in a new network i.e. Reliance's, rather than upgrading old existing GSM networks i.e. Airtel's etc

[@v@nit 3]

^^^

Definitely its easier to implement these spectrum-efficient technologies in a new network, rather than upgrading old existing GSM networks.

But as its difficult to upgrade you can not use out dated technologies and waist scaring resources.

Let them implement New technology in GSM , Just Reliance should allow there users to use both network on same number @ same tariff plan. So when ever we want we can put our RUIM in GSM Mobile or same in CDMA Mobile and it should start working.

[kshah 452]

Infact in most cases efficiency is achieved by upgrading softwares but to save money operators do not spend on softwares too. Take an example of EDGE, its just a software upgrade.

GSM players do install new softwares to improve efficiencies in highly congested area but not every where.