MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications hosted recently the first network trial in the Philippines using 4G or Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology.
LTE or 4G is part of Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) evolutionary path beyond 3G technology and regarded as the ‘logical next step’ to the High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) technology that Smart is currently using.
“While many of today’s needs can be handled by HSPA networks, we anticipate an explosive demand for even greater bandwidth as more users connect to the web and richer content proliferates,” said Smart chief wireless advisor Doy Vea during the first LTE trials.
“In our quest to provide Internet access to all, we found that LTE can deliver enhanced broadband capabilities and provide the capacity to support the expected demand for connectivity,” he added.
LTE promises to transform the mobile end-user’s experience and change the way people receive, consume, and interact with information and content distributed over mobile networks.
Giant global telcos Verizon, AT&T and NTT Docomo are currently rolling out LTE networks that will be ready for launch between 2010 and 2011.
The technology under LTE can reach downlink peak rates of 100Mbps and uplink speeds of 50Mbps, faster than HSPA by a factor of 10.
According to Smart Network Platforms and Services Division head Mar Tamayo, LTE can carry the huge projected growth in data traffic, while delivering an all Internet-Protocol (IP) experience to mobile users.
“LTE is designed with a full IP network infrastructure,” said Tamayo. “This means it can support full voice in packet domains, while also offering advanced radio techniques for achieving higher performance levels beyond what 3G data packets can currently achieve.”
LTE promises to offer advantages over current 3G systems including higher throughput, plug and play compatibility, FDD (Frequency Division Duplexing) and TDD (Time Division Duplexing), low latency and lower operating expenditures. It also supports a seamless transition from Smart’s existing cellular technologies.
“Our aim is to continue to provide our subscribers with the same seamless experience — regardless of the devices they are using or how they are connected to our network, “ said Vea. “And that’s what LTE will enable us to do.”
Tamayo, for his part, stressed that the shift towards LTE requires minimal capital compared to adapting other standards. Since LTE coexist with both 3G and 2G systems, it enables the re-use of existing site infrastructure such as masts, hardware racks and power supply elements.
“For these reasons, LTE will support a faster, more seamless capacity upgrades than the deployment of new base stations,” he said.
The network components of LTE are designed to be scaleable and modular. This means the company can slowly introduce LTE technologies over time, without disrupting current services.