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WHITE PAPER

WIMAX 16E: EVOLUTIONARY CHOICES


BETWEEN 16M AND TD-LTE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Fourth generation, or “4G,” wireless networks are quickly becoming a reality. Mobile WiMAX 802.16e-2005 (16e) high-
speed mobile broadband networks have been commercially operational since 2007, offering an alternative to proprietary
or cellular 3G technology. Now, WiMAX 802.16m networks (sometimes called WIMAX Release 2) are on the horizon
and cellular 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology is in trials. With the official standard slated for finalization by the
end of 2010, 16m technology is expected to be fully backward compatible with 16e and anticipated for rollout toward the
end of 2011, especially in emerging markets. One variant of LTE, Time Division LTE (TD-LTE), technology will also be
comparable to 16e or 16m, though commercial availability will follow sometime in 2012 or 2013. Given these scenarios,
16e operators have decisions to make about what migration route to take to evolve their networks: upgrade as soon as
possible to 16m, wait for TD-LTE, migrate to 16m while preserving a path to TD-LTE, when available, or maintain their
16e network, possibly with upgrades to “16e-Enhanced.” This Aviat Networks white paper examines service provider
options, weighing the advantages and caveats for each course of action.

JULY 2010
WHITE PAPER
WIMAX 16E: EVOLUTIONARY CHOICES BETWEEN 16M AND TD-LTE 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................... 1 


WIMAX 16E: EVOLUTIONARY CHOICES BETWEEN 16M AND TD-LTE ............................................. 3 
THE CURRENT SCENARIO ..................................................................................................................... 3 
THE ALTERNATIVES................................................................................................................................ 3 
CUSTOMER PREMISES EQUIPMENT..................................................................................................................... 4 

COST AND AVAILABILITY OF CHIPSETS ...................................................................................... 4 


TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP ....................................................................................................... 4 
DATA-CENTRIC/MOBILE WEB BROWSING MODEL..................................................................... 4 
BASESTATIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 

BASE BAND CHANGES .................................................................................................................... 5 


SOFTWARE-ONLY UPGRADES ...................................................................................................... 5 
ACCESS SERVICE NETWORK (ASN) GATEWAY .................................................................................................. 5 

DECOMPOSED ARCHITECTURE ................................................................................................... 6 


CLEAR UPGRADE PATH TO TD-LTE.............................................................................................. 6 
WIMAX RELEASE 2 SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................... 6 
SPECTRUM AVAILABILITY AND ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT................................................................................... 7 

FREQUENCY BAND SUPPORT ....................................................................................................... 7 


OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS......................................................................................................... 7 
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................................... 7 

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WIMAX 16E: EVOLUTIONARY CHOICES BETWEEN 16M AND TD-LTE 

WIMAX 16E: EVOLUTIONARY CHOICES BETWEEN


16M AND TD-LTE
The news, and subsequent confusion, regarding WiMAX and Time Division-Long Term Evolution
(TD-LTE) mobile broadband 4G technologies has been extensive throughout the media. Major
operators around the globe have made pronouncements regarding one technology or the other. Some
have firm plans on how to proceed, while others are taking a wait-and-see attitude. The one theme
consistent across all operators has been to maintain as much flexibility as possible to enable migration
from current networks to the most appropriate technology in the future.

THE CURRENT SCENARIO


WiMAX 16e operators face a choice when looking to evolve to the next generation of wireless
communications technology. There are no clearcut options, but various factors need to be considered
that could affect what choice to make and when. Among the factors to consider, four are pre-eminent:
 Affordability and availability of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)
 Reusability/upgradeability of basestations
 Flexibility of Access Service Network (ASN) gateways
 Availability of spectrum and a supporting ecosystem of devices
It is important to adequately address all four factors simultaneously as all are critical to any 4G
migration strategy. Like a table with four legs, if the migration strategy is weak in any of these four
factors, the entire strategy will be weak and vulnerable to failure.

The answer to the


THE ALTERNATIVES
question of how to The answer to the question of how to migrate WiMAX 16e networks to newer 4G technology is that
there is no single, clearcut evolutionary path. The three most common alternatives are to upgrade to
migrate WiMAX 16e WiMAX 16m as it becomes available, migrate from either 16e or 16m to TD-LTE or maintain 16e.
networks to newer Regardless of which path a WiMAX operator chooses, the current deployment infrastructure must be
4G technology is able to accommodate multiple options and even be able to change paths if necessary in the future.
that there is no
single, clearcut
evolutionary path.

Figure 1. WiMAX operators face three probable migration scenarios for transitioning their networks to the next
level of 4G telecom technology: move to 16m as soon as possible, upgrade to LTE from 16m or directly port from
16e to LTE or maintain current 16e functionality, with a possible boost from 16e Enhanced.
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CUSTOMER PREMISES EQUIPMENT


Affordability and availability of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) is an overriding concern for
migrating a WiMAX 16e network to 16m or TD-LTE. As WiMAX operators often provide service to
unserved or underserved populations, CPE unit prices can be very sensitive. Any migration to a newer
technology must take into account not only the costs of the devices, but also the Total Cost of
Ownership (TCO). Business models and services will also drive the types of devices available.

COST AND AVAILABILITY OF CHIPSETS


CPE devices with 16e technology have been on the market long enough that a robust supply chain
has been established. 16m device chipsets will not be commercially available until at least late in 2011.
That means that actual devices incorporating those chipsets won’t be commercially available until
2012. Dual-mode 16e/TD-LTE chipsets and devices are expected on similar schedules, but no
16m/LTE chipsets are on any public developer roadmaps. DSPs and programmable logic devices
could be alternatives to custom chipsets, but they pose cost and support challenges. Dual-mode or
multi-mode devices are absolutely critical to any kind of migration, but the extra cost and complexity of
multi-mode devices could make them especially difficult to deploy for cost-sensitive markets. These
availability timelines also mean that all current and future device deployments for approximately the
next two years won’t be easily upgraded since they won’t support multi mode operation.

TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP


Total cost of ownership for CPE needs to be understood. Many WiMAX customers are the traditionally
unserved/underserved—often in emerging markets. Many of these markets make use of installed
“outdoor” CPE, which have higher performance than indoor devices, USB adapters or embedded
devices. While devices such as USB adapters may be easy to swap out, the costs and complexities of
changing other types of deployed devices to multi-mode are beyond just the costs of the devices
For transitions to themselves. A relatively lengthy CPE upgrade cycle is necessary in markets where operators are
4G, some major reluctant or unable to heavily subsidize CPE.
operators are
DATA-CENTRIC/MOBILE WEB BROWSING MODEL
already making The business model driving 4G service rollouts typically centers on the offloading of data from the
plans to potentially voice networks of existing operators. This follows much the same scheme as how Wi-Fi networks have
pursue the 16e-to- been used to offload cellular networks in localized hot spots. Voice-capable devices will most likely
connect to a parallel 3G network. Current demand is quickly approaching 10 GB/user/month in
16m-to-TD-LTE deployed WiMAX networks. With newer technologies available in two years, users will expect
upgrade path. significantly higher performance in addition to voice/video services, thereby making device migrations
even more complex. Equally important, greenfield operators will look to drive 4G demand by offering
ubiquitous mobile web browsing services via CPE (e.g., USB dongles, smartphones).

BASESTATIONS
Throughout the history of the wireless industry, technology migrations have frequently required the
dreaded “forklift” upgrade. Virtually the entire basestation infrastructure of active components had to be
replaced. Little or no equipment that was previously installed could be used in the next stage of
technological progress.
Most recent RFPs from major WiMAX operators have required that most components have to be
capable of being upgraded and repurposed. For transitions to 4G, some major operators are already
making plans to potentially pursue the 16e-to-16m-to-TD-LTE upgrade path. For example, a leading
Southeast Asian WiMAX operator has stated that it will upgrade its 16e network infrastructure to 16m
and then examine its options for TD-LTE in two to three years. In establishing this objective, the carrier
is looking to reduce its migration risk for both technologies. It can continue to offer leading-edge access
services to its customers and minimize risk for 16m investment while delaying investment in TD-LTE
until conditions are optimal.

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WIMAX 16E: EVOLUTIONARY CHOICES BETWEEN 16M AND TD-LTE 

Figure 2. For a migration from WiMAX 16e to WiMAX 16m or TD-LTE technologies, a practical but smooth
and easy migration through a combination of software upgrades and straightforward blade server (i.e.,
base band card) changeout should be expected.

Other major operators plan to take advantage of an estimated 80 percent overlap in WiMAX and
TD-LTE technologies to future-proof their 16e networks against major upgrade costs for 4G
technology. For example, one North American operator regards the cost of moving from 16m to
TD-LTE as “inexpensive.” The 20 percent of technology that is changed out in conversion from 16e to
either 16m or TD-LTE can be accommodated by a combination of exchanging blade servers (i.e. base
band cards) and software upgrades. Aviat Networks has architected its 16e systems to support this
model of 4G changeout (Figure 2). In some scenarios, additional equipment would be added for
enhanced capacities or operating concurrent services during migration.

Software-only BASE BAND CHANGES


For simplicity’s sake and to minimize costs, the changeout or addition for a 16e basestation should be
upgrades are more
limited to the basis of blade servers. Not only will this minimize the hardware cost and simplify
illusion than reality. changeout but also reduce the cost of labor due to lessened need for training and time involved in
In almost all actual changeout procedures.
instances, a WiMAX
SOFTWARE-ONLY UPGRADES
16e upgrade to
The allure of software-only upgrades is undeniable. No network operator wants to spend the time and
another technology money associated with upgrades that involve physically uninstalling old equipment and installing new
will involve some equipment. The option of pushing a button and completing the migration process with a remote
software download is a much more appealing alternative. However, software-only upgrades are more
level of hardware
illusion than reality. In almost all instances, a WiMAX 16e upgrade to another technology will involve
changeout or some level of hardware changeout. Vendor claims that espouse software-only upgrades should be
addition. approached cautiously due to impracticality of their methods and for the potential of hidden costs. In
many cases, an upgrade would be done to take advantage of increased capacities or similar
performance improvements. Upgrade scenarios will vary from operator to operator, so any blanket
declaration of easy migration via software-only schemes should be looked upon with skepticism.

ACCESS SERVICE NETWORK (ASN) GATEWAY


The ASN gateway is a pivotal element in any 4G deployment. Although both WiMAX and LTE have
“IP-centric” packet cores, there are some key difference in the architectures such that switching or
migrating between them is not always straightforward. Perhaps, the most critical key difference is the
separation of data/routing and control/signaling planes. Therefore, it is important that an ASN gateway

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WIMAX 16E: EVOLUTIONARY CHOICES BETWEEN 16M AND TD-LTE 

be architected to decompose, or separate, the control and data paths—referred to as the “R7” interface
in WiMAX architectures and “S11” interface in LTE architectures (Figure 3). Not only does this split
architecture for the ASN benefit from a clear upgrade path to TD-LTE it also allows for separate
redundancy and scalability of the separate elements. It could even enable “dual-mode” control paths in
an ASN for 16e and either 4G technology. In turn, this allows an operator to offer multiple services
from a single, converged IP core, reducing TCO. Then there is the matter of WiMAX Forum Network
Working Group (NWG) specifications for 16m. As these specs are still undergoing changes at this
point, any ASN gateway architectures have to be flexible enough to have direct applicability for
however the WiMAX Release 2 standard progresses.

Figure 3. Aviat Networks’ ASN gateway completely separates the control and data paths for a highly
scalable IP core capability. Taking advantage of the R7 and S11 interfaces, separation of control and data
paths is made possible, allowing operators to add redundancy or scalability as needed.

DECOMPOSED ARCHITECTURE
Just as important With separated control and data paths, a 4G wireless ASN gateway with a decomposed architecture
as the radio
can grow as the network grows. It’s important for a 16e network to be able to scale for the migration to
16m or TD-LTE where the subscriber support requirements will be much greater. An ASN gateway
components, the where the data and control paths are not separated will not scale as effectively and leads to vendor
IP-core lock in for both IP radio and router functions. Just as important as the radio components, the IP-core
components must
components must also be flexible enough to allow for migration.
also be flexible
CLEAR UPGRADE PATH TO TD-LTE
enough to allow for As the 4G market sorts itself out, 16e operators need to keep their options open. Depending on their
migration. rollout schedules and market aggressiveness, they should be enabled to benefit from an upgrade path
to TD-LTE, so it must be maintained. ASN gateways for 4G networks must be designed in order to
benefit from a migration to TD-LTE to leverage legacy investments in 16e infrastructure.

WIMAX RELEASE 2 SPECIFICATIONS


WiMAX 16m will not be entirely mapped out until Q4 2010. At that time, the WiMAX Forum NWG will
complete the specifications for WiMAX Release 2. Any ASN gateway architecture needs to maintain
direct applicability to how the specification progresses. This will help operators minimize 4G transition
costs and sustain their options and flexibility for future deployments.

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SPECTRUM AVAILABILITY AND ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT


Many operators Availability of spectrum and broad device ecosystem support will be gating factors for any WiMAX
won’t have the operator on the evolutionary path to newer 4G wireless technologies. Sufficient amounts of Time
Division Duplexing (TDD) spectrum are not available for all operators in all applicable frequency bands
option to migrate
to allow for simultaneous or multi-carrier migrations. This spectrum availability issue will restrict some
depending on the operators from deploying 16m or TD-LTE. In turn, a lack of deployable spectrum will limit the device
frequency bands or ecosystem that vendors will support. Service providers offering applications in niche frequencies will
just have to cope with high device costs if they do intend to compete in the 4G market. Plus, price
legacy customer
points will have to be low and continue to go lower to match the evolving customer base as 4G service
costs. providers surmount the adoption curve. However, the most important element in the consideration of
spectrum availability and ecosystem support will be the presence of interoperable 16e/LTE or
16m/LTE end-user access devices for the still unfolding 4G roadmaps.

FREQUENCY BAND SUPPORT


In each market, vendors likely will only support two or three frequency bands that can create a
sustainable critical mass ecosystem for access devices. That’s because not all WiMAX-supported
frequencies are supported by TD-LTE standards. This is especially true for frequencies higher than 2.7
GHz. Since higher frequencies are less suited to highly mobile features, these are unlikely to generate
much demand for TD-LTE devices even if a new profile were created to overlap with WiMAX bands
from 3.4 GHz to 3.8 GHz. Also, the more complete the frequency range is for 4G in a given market, the
easier it will be to obtain full hardware support. The standard TD-LTE profile for 2.5 GHz to 2.7 GHz
only covers about one-fourth of the profile for WiMAX in the same frequency range.

OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS
Most WiMAX operators contemplating upgrades will be at the mercy of the device vendors when it
comes to driving down the acquisition price for end users. Only the largest and most dominant
operators will be able to create and impose their own requirements for their device ecosystems. It will
be necessary for a sufficient number of vendors to come into the marketplace in order to create
competition to hold down device prices.

CONCLUSION
Whichever path is
As Mobile WiMAX operators plan their deployments, many anticipate making a full or partial migration
more appropriate to
to next-generation technology. In fact, it is not a question of whether to migrate, but rather of how to
follow, Aviat migrate. It is critical to anticipate and adequately plan for potential upgrade scenarios. The new 4G
Networks, the technologies are fast becoming reality. The WiMAX 16m standard will be finalized by the end of 2010
and the first production networks are expected roll out in 2011 if devices become available. TD-LTE
market leading IP
networks are only in very preliminary trials now with widespread commercial availability expected in
experts in 4G 2012 or 2013. The quandary for operators, which have to generate revenue now, is whether to migrate
wireless migration, to WiMAX 16m when it is available? Or do they wait until TD-LTE is out and pass on the first mover
advantage in the 4G market? Can they upgrade to 16m now but preserve an upgrade path to TD-LTE?
can serve as your
Is it better to maintain the network with 16e or 16e-Enhanced? As explained above, many Mobile
guide. WiMAX operators don’t have the appropriate range or amount of spectrum to migrate; or the costs and
complexity of migrating their installed base of user devices severely limit their options. Unless all
aspects are considered, an effective WiMAX migration strategy can’t be completed. Since each
operators’ circumstances and business goals are different, a reliable technology partner is vital to
mapping out the best strategy. Whichever path is more appropriate to follow, Aviat Networks, the
market leading IP experts in 4G wireless migration, can serve as your guide.

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Aviat, Aviat Networks and Aviat logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Aviat
Networks, Inc.
© Aviat Networks, Inc. 2010. All Rights Reserved.
Data subject to change without notice.
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