All About LTE

[Karthik R 246]

The Motorola Droid Bionic will be the first LTE Droid smartphone and that it has a dual-core processor with each core running at 1GHz, delivering up to 2GHz of processing power and 512MB RAM, 4.3-inch touchscreen and HDMI out port.

The spec sheet on this phone is certainly impressive. Aside from 4G, HDMI mirroring (so you can view video on both the phone and the TV when they're connected); 1080p video playback, 8-megapixel camera on the rear plus a front-facing VGA camera for video calls, Wi-Fi of course, and since it ships with Android 2.2, the WebKit browser also plays in-browser Flash video. Gingerbread fans need not fret either, as it is upgradable to Android 2.3. Following the example of the Motorola Droid Pro, the Droid Bionic will also feature different profiles for Home, Work, and Weekend, plus enterprise-level features that include remote wipe, data security, corporate e-mail compatibility, robust calendar management, and Quickoffice apps.

Officially listed here in motorola.com

Check out the cool snaps at engadget

Elsewhere, LG have announced its first LTE 4G phone for Verizon Wireless that they are calling the LG Revolution and MetroPCS, not to be left off the race, have readied its first LTE smartphone - the Samsung SCH-R910 (will be named Samsung Forte?)

[rajeshkatiyar 3]

@digitalnirvana

if LTE comes in end of 2011, what will b feat of 3G?? I guess with costly 3G tariff & few takers, private 3G players will go bankupt! As 4G is expected to be affordable from MDA!

They will make Christian Prayers Lord A Raja have mercy on me .In fact they will have less than 6 months to do something

[Karthik R 246]

Why A Raja?

He was made to resign last nov 19th. The telecom portfolio is now being held by Kapil Sibal..

[Karthik R 246]

LG Revolution Android Smartphone with 4G LTE connectivity

Android Smartphone with 4G LTE connectivity : Verizon Wireless and LG Mobile Phones announced the first 4G LTE Smartphone from LG, the LG Revolution (Model : LG VS910). With high-speed 4G LTE connectivity that puts users in the action, LG Revolution Android phone offers complete HD support for streaming, playing and recording video multimedia while on-the-go. The LG Revolution cell phone is equipped with a chic design, large 4.3 inch touchscreen and Android 2.2 platform. The LG Revolution is the ideal handset for users ready to experience the next level of Smartphone power.

LG Revolution details

• Operating System: Android 2.2 (Froyo)
  
• Processor: 1 GHz MSM8255 Snapdragon (Scorpion)
  
• Display: 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen
  
• Memory: 16GB internal with microSD slot that supports up to 32GB
  
• Cameras: 5MP rear camera auth Auto-focus and flash and front-facing camera
  

LG Revolution 4G LTE

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network, launched in December 2010, is the fastest and most advanced 4G network in the United States, providing speeds up to 10 times faster than Verizon Wireless’ 3G network. Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network currently reaches one-third of all Americans, with plans to expand the network to the company’s entire 3G coverage area over the next three years.

[Karthik R 246]

Following is an excerpt from a recent review by Computerworld where they compared the 4G network speeds in the US. While it may not hold true in the Indian context, still we can get a wind of what awaits. The results will put even the ardent WiMax fans to test

"

Speed tests

When I tested Sprint's WiMax network in 10 locations in and around New York City, I was mighty impressed. I recorded a peak download speed of 11.2Mbit/sec., with an average of 4.1Mbit/sec. — about seven times faster than Sprint's 3G service in the same areas.

But the results I got in those same locations with Verizon's LTE network blew WiMax away. I recorded an astoundingly fast peak download speed of 26.1Mbit/sec., with an average of 13.3Mbit/sec. — more than three times faster than Sprint WiMax. That's much better than you're likely to get from a public Wi-Fi network at a hotel or Internet café, or even wired networks in many private homes or small offices.

Even more remarkable was the difference in upload speeds: Sprint's WiMax network poked along at an average 41Kbit/sec., while Verizon's LTE network was more than a hundred times faster in my tests, uploading an average of 5.5Mbit/sec. Such speeds are invaluable for those who upload lots of data, such as for creating and editing Web sites or transferring video files.

Verizon's 4G LTE network also had lower latency in my tests than Sprint's 4G service, which translates into smooth streaming videos. A measure of how long it takes the network to respond to a request, the 4G LTE network had a latency of 70 milliseconds, 37% better than the 112ms latency for Sprint WiMax.

A word of caution: I can only report the results I got at several specific locations in my area. If you're in a different part of the country (or even at a different location in the same general area), your results might be different. But based on my own tests and those I've seen from other testers around the country, I think it's safe to say that Verizon LTE is blazing fast.

"

Courtesy : Computer World

[me_saket 73]

So LTE is winner in term of speed on move.

[Greatest 55]

LTE all the way friends.. it has been a proven track record for all service providers..

[Karthik R 246]

Infotel plans ambitious LTE launch

Reliance Industries Ltd-controlled Infotel Broadband Ltd is working on a plan to launch long term evolution (LTE) — which offers high data speeds — in 700 cities in the first phase of its launch. LTE offers data speeds from 50 mbps to 100 mbps to customers.

To achieve this, it has called international companies to make a bid for what would be one of the largest equipment deals in the country. As part of the plan, which it has shared with potential vendors, Infotel will take on the companies offering third-generation telecom services (3G) by offering guaranteed minimum internet data speeds to their customers. It should start services from the end of this year.

Infotel has invited international telcos to demonstrate their LTE capability as a precursor to signing orders, expected to be over $2 billion (Rs. 9,200 crore). Companies in the race include Huawei of China, Samsung from Korea, Ericcsson, Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia Siemens Networks. Companies like Samsung have also been approached for discussion on bulk buying of their tablet PC devices like the Galaxy Tab. Vendors say the company is looking at large bulk deals for devices.

The companies have been asked to demonstrate their LTE capabilities from the second week of February -- a clear reflection that it has finally abandoned any plan to launch its services on the WIMAX platform.

A spokesperson of Reliance Industries Ltd declined to comment. “We are currently engaged with all BWA (broadband wireless spectrum) winners for offering TD-LTE technology. As the market leader in LTE, Nokia Siemens Networks is at the forefront of driving standardisation, interoperability and commercialisation of TD-LTE,” said Kanika Atri, head of marketing for Nokia Siemens Networks India.

"LTE and HSPA are emerging as the dominant standards for mobile broadband globally. Operators in India would benefit from the economies of scale and roaming by deploying these technologies,” said P Balaji, vice president, Ericcson India.

Infotel is also talking to leading tower companies to lease 60,000 towers across the country for its pan-India launch in the first phase. It has told vendors it would not like to build any tower. Tower vendors who have had discussions with the company say 70 to 80 per cent of the requirement for Infotel can be met by existing towers. “But considering that the company is looking at providing guarantees of minimum speeds to customers, 20 per cent of their requirement will come from new towers, which have to be constructed by operators for Infotel,” said one.

While no deadlines have been given, vendors say the company might start the roll out of its network in the next three to four months and could launch services in some parts of the country by the year end.

RIL had paid Rs.4,800 crore for acquiring a 95 per cent stake in Infotel, a company floated by the HFCL group under Mahendra Nahata. Infotel has also paid Rs.12,848 crore to the government towards spectrum fees, when it won pan-India spectrum in the auction of BWA auction held last year.

Courtesy : Business Standard

[Karthik R 246]

LTE, 4G will give improved mobile experience : ARM

BANGALORE, INDIA : ARM and a number of its partner community, which includes all the silicon vendors in wireless connectivity, today highlighted their ongoing activity in baseband modem designs and momentum in the LTE and LTE-Advanced markets.

The group also welcomed the acceleration of LTE, 4G technologies that will provide consumers with improved mobile experience based on the ARM architecture, said a press release.

Over the last 20 years ARM processors have proven to be almost ubiquitous in 2.5G and 3G handsets, with all current 3G baseband shipments incorporating the technology. ARM processors are now used in 95 per cent of LTE baseband designs world-wide, the release added.

Warren East, CEO, ARM, said “ARM technology has helped drive the 3G era by focusing on low power, high performance solutions for mobile applications.”

He added that we are proud to have been part of the mobile ecosystem by leading innovation in mobile technology, as well as helping to develop standards as the industry transitions from 2.5G and 3G to 4G connectivity. We welcome the fact that the industry is now quickly moving to LTE technology, which will significantly enhance user experience.

The new ARM Cortex-R5 and Cortex-R7 processors provide increased functionality, performance and efficiency, and are optimised to deliver new mobile broadband LTE and LTE-Advanced devices, the release further added.

ARM processors have been developed in-line with progress in semiconductor technology to deliver highly efficient, low power mobile solutions. This is both for applications computing and baseband processing where many of the market leading solutions have converged on the Cortex family of processors.

Source : CIOL

[Karthik R 246]

Qualcomm Announces Next-Generation Snapdragon Mobile Chipset Family

Updating its Snapdragon processor family, Qualcomm Incorporated has introduced its next mobile processor architecture. According to a press release, new processor micro-architecture, code-named Krait, in the next-generation Snapdragon will redefine performance for the industry, providing speeds of up to 2.5GHz per core and delivering 150 percent higher overall performance, as well as 65 percent lower power than currently available ARM based CPU cores.

This new family of Snapdragon chipsets will include the single-core MSM8930, the dual-core MSM8960 and the quad-core APQ8064 and these will be available in single-, dual- and quad-core versions and include a new Adreno GPU series with up to four 3D cores, and integrated multi-mode LTE modem.

These chipsets will combine a quad-combo of connectivity solutions — WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth and FM — and offer support for near field communication (NFC), stereoscopic 3D (S3D) video and photo capture and playback. The software compatible chipset family is based on 28nm technology and it is equipped with new, purpose-built CPUs and GPUs for the best mobile performance at the lowest power consumption.

The single-core MSM8930 is a single-chip solution with an integrated LTE modem designed to take LTE to mass market smartphones. The dual-core MSM8960 is dual-core solution with an integrated multi-mode 3G/LTE modem and was designed to meet the requirements of multi-tasking smartphones and tablets. The quad-core APQ8064 is developed to meet the performance requirements of the next generation of computing and entertainment devices while minimizing power consumption.

Read full report here

[Karthik R 246]

BSNL Gears to Meet LTE Challenge

As state-owned operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) prepares to commercially launch its WiMax network in India, it faces a number of key challenges, with the potential role of Long Term Evolution Time Division Duplex (LTE TDD) in the Indian telecom market high on the list.

That threat has arisen since 2010's auction of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum (in the 2.3GHz band) that is suitable for either WiMax or LTE TDD deployments. Recent developments suggest that the auction winners are opting for TDD LTE-based strategies and could have networks up and running this year, potentially leaving WiMax as a secondary wireless broadband technology.

"We have to meet the LTE challenge and have a clear technological roadmap to move to the next technology. Besides this, we are also facing challenges in roaming and bandwidth issues. We have to rethink how to market our capacities," says RK Agarwal, director of consumer mobility at BSNL, during a recent WiMax Workshop.

BSNL already holds licenses for BWA spectrum in a higher frequency range (2.6 GHz), though it has had to pay the same amount the private operators shelled out for their 2.3GHz licenses. The 2.6GHz radio band is believed to be unsuitable for LTE TDD, but potentially suitable for FDD LTE.

BSNL faces another issue with its WiMax offerings -- the cannibalization of its other services. The state-owned operator offers competing CDMA EVDO services that are an alternative to mobile WiMax, while its fixed-line DSL service is an alternative to fixed WiMax in areas where copper plant has been deployed.

Not surprisingly, BSNL has been struggling with the business case for WiMax. In 2010 the company threatened to scale down the government-led WiMax project to connect 62,000 Common Service Centers (CSCs) that serve rural villages, unless the government increased its financial support of the project. BSNL has already set up 1,000 base stations for this project, and plans to increase this to 6,000 by the end of 2011. For WiMax in the urban areas, BSNL has opted for the franchisee model, where it works with partners that deploy the access infrastructure and market and provision the services.

"We would be in a position to commercially roll out WiMax networks in the urban areas by the end of March 2011. We hope to have two lakh [200,000] subscribers in the first year of operations. Initially we would be launching in the main cities," Agarwal told Light Reading Asia.

However, Agarwal seems to be too optimistic with his timeline. Informal interactions with BSNL's WiMax team, as well as with its franchisees, reveal that the rollout is unlikely to happen as soon as March.

Starnet Communications is one of the franchisees, with a license to run BSNL's WiMax operations in three circles (service areas) -- Chennai, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

"The Proof of Concept is likely to be finalized by March and [after that] we would need security clearances. I think we would be able to launch by June this year. We would be setting up 1,800 BTS [base stations] in the first year. We are exploring the options of deferred payments, vendor finance and revenue-share models to reduce our capital expenditure," says Starnet's CEO Shankar Kambam.

Via - lightreading

[Karthik R 246]

Q&A: Paul Jacobs, Chairman & CEO, Qualcomm

Source :

Business Standard

Qualcomm, the California-based telecom giant, is playing an aggressive game in India in both fourth generation (4G) technology and the long-term evolution (LTE) space. Chairman and CEO Paul Jacobs, who was in Delhi, talks about the company's plans in India to Mansi Taneja and Surajeet Das Gupta. Edited excerpts:

It’s been almost a year since you acquired BWA (broadband wireless access) licences in India, but the services have not been launched. When do you plan to launch LTE services?

Since we won the (licence) auction last year, we have done trials showing the technology working. We have also done inter-operator ability. Now, we are looking for commercial deployment of the network by the end of this year or early next year and the discussions with partners are also going on well.

Globally, WiMax has slowed dramatically, in India, too. It seems everybody is moving towards LTE, which is why we have made our investment.

What is the road map for launch of LTE services in India? Considering India is a very price-sensitive market, what will be the price of these handsets and gadgets?

We will launch our new chipset for LTE devices, which will work seamlessly with all the technologies. It will be out by the end of this year or beginning next year. A lot of technology is going into the making of the chip. There are ones that are high-end in the market and ones with the low end; that’s where we are focused. We are pushing towards a device cost at around $100. We will definitely get that price point in the relatively near future.

When Qualcomm entered India in the CDMA space, you talked about the clear divide in the market between CDMA and GSM. But CDMA has not happened here. Now, you are looking at both LTE and EVDO (Evolution Data Optimised, a 3G-high speed wireless broadband standard) services in India. Did something go wrong with your perception on CDMA and now are you hedging your bets on both the technologies?

No, we are not hedging our bets. It is really that we are a world wireless company, not just CDMA, so we wanted to make sure we can support the operators, no matter what technology they choose.

If you look at CDMA, operators used the fact that they had higher capacity networks and went for the low end of the market. In the early days, CDMA phones didn’t roam very well, so it was hard to get high ARPU (average revenue per user) consumers to adopt CDMA. Also, operators themselves decided they wanted to have both GSM and CDMA.

There are concerns over your support to EVDO services, as many operators in India are moving towards 4G. What kind of support system will you have for CDMA players?

There are over half a billion CDMA 2000 subscribers worldwide. It is a big market and continues to grow in handset shipments. The growth is a little slow but that is natural, as we have seen many new operators. EVDO is doing extremely well; a lot of data demand is there. The prices of devices have come down. The technology is quite mature. CDMA operators now have an opportunity with the data network. We are excited about the launch of both HSPA+ and LTE. That is why we are in both the places -- we have to support any wireless technology an operator wants. Now, it is only a question of a good ecosystem to support a specific demand for the Indian market.

There was a huge gap between the launch of 3G services in India and globally. However, now we are moving towards 4G quickly. Would it have made sense to directly jump to 4G from 2G? How do you see this whole scenario?

The key thing is that data demand is going up dramatically. So, we need to use the spectrum made available. 3G is much more mature than 4G; the prices are further down the cost curve. But not much spectrum was allocated in 3G. So, the spectrum in BWA, 3G and the existing spectrum, we need to use all, as the data demand is going to be so intense. So, it does not make sense to bypass 3G, given that it is down the cost curve already and the global ecosystem is building devices for that frequency band with that technology.

You have invested quite a lot globally in companies. But, investments in India are not a really major amount, though you say it is a critical market for you. What kind of investments are you looking at the research and development space here?

We have our own significant R&D here. We have invested in MapMyIndia, amongst others. We have a fulltime person in India for our venture funds. Our fund is not a big financial thing, it is a part of our corporate R&D organisation. We use it to make sure we see what is going on in the market, that we can provide a little bit of jumpstart to the new companies coming up.

Typically, we are not making large investments. We are relatively doing a Series-A kind of investment. We have people here, they are out in the market, talking to people to find ways to help them with not just money but also access to global markets. That is probably the right thing and we will continue to do that.

[_Kailash_ 63]

+1 kartik amazing information , the description is awesome