Bolloré Telecom: The WiMAX experiment in Antibes

Among the mobile technologies which could take over from the 3G/HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) networks there are numerous competing products, each allowing for improved speed as and the preparation of a merger between fixed and mobile networks by changing the internal infrastructure to be close to the all-IP model.

While voice services have been the biggest requirement up until now, the use of other services are now starting to become strategic for carriers growth: data use represents part of their revenue growth with the speed improvements and the appearance of "unlimited" subscriptions, as while voice use is still important, the growth prospects are rather flat.

The different data uses have radically changed our perception of mobile computing. It is now possible to be connected to the Internet and exchange data at any time on a wide range of devices: mobile phone, computer, and a wide range of other devices…

LTE, the preferred option for carriers established for the 4G proto
This mobility has increased the impact on general users and professionals, changing the way that they work. While the current speeds are close to that on offer with ADSL connections, the next standards will be going much further.

For the carriers, making the correct decision between the standard and their objectives is therefore crucial. Two standards have emerged as the eventual successor to the current HSPA networks. One of these is LTE (Long Term Evolution), which is the direct follow on to the UMTS developments, with this being the option that most carriers are supporting.

This promises fast speeds and brings the all-IP network notion closer to reality, with the industry being heavily engaged to quickly develop the different components. There are still some questions to answer though, like the availability of frequencies and dividends that it could pay.

While the first LTE networks could be seen in 2010 through players that are heavily pushing it like NTT DoCoMo in Japan and TeliaSonera in Sweden and Norway, the major carriers will probably not look at it until 2012/2013.


WiMAX, a challenge for small and large carriers
The other competition standard is WiMAX. Its force is that it has already been finalised and is being deployed commercially by different carriers around the world. With its different profiles (fixed, roaming, mobile), it can answer a wide range of scenarios while being a solution for LRL (Local Radio Loop), the last part of the network infrastructure before the end user, in zones where fixed high speed Internet is lacking or is difficult to implement.

In France, where the only the fixed and roaming uses are for the moment authorised, the Arcep is closely watching the deployment of base stations which are very late on their deployment by the license holders, who have instead preferred to wait for compatible equipment to become available for the different profiles and not just for fixed line usage.

In France, where the only the fixed and roaming uses are for the moment authorised, the Arcep is closely watching the deployment of base stations which are very late on their deployment by the license holders, who have instead preferred to wait for compatible equipment to become available for the different profiles and not just for fixed line usage.

There are numerous players who can use these licenses, with the largest being Free who is the only company to hold a national licence and Bolloré Telecom, who has held most of the regional licenses since 2006.

WiMAX doesn’t offer speeds that are as fast as LTE but it does have a two year start commercially and can be deployed right way. While in 2007/2008 it appeared to be a direct competitor, its position has now evolved a little with it now being more of a complementary product.

The two standards have common elements, with future evolution not being ruled out. This is especially the case with Intel, its main backer.