2014 will be a defining year for LTE as many more operators in developing markets launch their LTE services, including two anticipated launches in India.
In mid-December 2013 there were 251 commercially launched LTE networks in 93 countries, with a total of over 500 operators currently investing in LTE in 143 countries.* This growth will fuel the need for operators to verify their network performance using test systems that provide realistic data traffic services and scenarios such as voice, video and web browsing, to ensure that subscribers receive the best possible Quality of Service from the outset.
Technical features that will become more prevalent over the coming year include:
- Carrier aggregation
- VoLTE
- Cat 6 and Cat 7 mobiles (taking downlink data rates to 300Mbps)
- Self-organising and heterogeneous networks (SON and HetNets)
It is also key to the success of these networks in emerging markets to provide handsets and devices with a greater range of services – especially for LTE TDD, which is being widely deployed in Asia. With low levels of fixed broadband penetration, operators need to provide the right devices and pricing plans to allow new customers to access the Internet.
* Interim Evolution to LTE Report, GSA, 18 December 2013
Stephen Hire is the General Manager for India at Aeroflex Asia.
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