LTE will continue to grow, with the TDD strand becoming more high-profile in 2013...
Mobile broadband to become the primary means of accessing the Internet
With many developing countries having a low fixed broadband penetration, mobile broadband is well-positioned to become the main means of Internet access, For example in India, where only around 9% of households have fixed broadband, this is already beginning with 3G. The rollout of LTE – both TDD and FDD – will provide enhanced access to the Internet in the future.
Growth in TDD and mixed mode TDD/FDD networks
TDD is by no means confined to China, in fact Bharti Airtel in India has already launched commercial LTE TDD networks during 2012 ahead of operators in China, and will be followed by both Reliance Infotel and Aircel. Elsewhere TDD networks have also already been launched in Brazil, Japan and Saudi Arabia, while operators in Poland and Sweden have also launched dual-standard FDD and TDD LTE networks.
The need for realistic network verification and optimisation
The test challenges for equipment vendors and operators have evolved from measuring individual base station performance to complete end-to-end testing using realistic data traffic services and scenarios including VoLTE, radio channel fading and handover.
