Battle Between WiMax and LTE in the Asian Context

For the past couple of years, the mobile world has been on the brink of a massive collision between two emerging fourth generation (4G) wireless broadband technologies. These standards are distinct and different from one another, but both are purported to take mobile communications to the next level. However, the current rivalry between these two technologies has placed mobile operators and vendors in a dilemma – which to choose between the two leading contenders.

These technologies in perspective are the WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), complete with its backing from Intel and LTE , and the Long Term Evolution of 3GPP systems (3rd Generation Partnership Project) used in GSM networks.

Both standards are poised to provide high-speed wireless communication power for next-generation mobile technologies. From the current 8Mbps average, these technologies are designed to reach high-speed broadband levels as high as 50 Mbps or more. On top of that, these technologies boast of providing such quality and speeds in wireless communications even from base stations that are located from 2km to as far as 5 km away.

With 3G still gaining universal acceptability and availability even in the United States, these two competing technologies have sounded off the start of a new race towards the standard for mobile communications in the near future. While the race is already causing a whirlwind in the Western world, this brewing storm has traversed the seas, virtual spaces and has headed towards a new battleground – Asia.

Comparison between WiMax and LTE

Before delving into the intricacies of this heated battle for supremacy between two great technologies, it is important to make a straightforward comparison between WiMax and LTE . Such apple-to-apple comparisons between these two technologies can help end users spot what advantages one has over the other to make it the standard of choice between mobile communication leaders.

Technically, although they have yet to prove their capabilities of reaching 4G levels, their practicality in applications have already classified both as 4G technologies. Both are based on all-IP architecture similar to Wi-Fi and the Internet, allowing capabilities for high-speed Internet connections. LTE , however, allows peak download speeds of up to 100 Mbps, which is higher than the 20 Mbps peak for 3G and the 40 Mbps for WiMax. This makes them ideal for use for applications requiring fast Internet access, wide broadband spectrum for data communications, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony.

The main difference between the two technologies would be in the technical elements and factors involved with each technology. Aside from that, their difference would lie at how end users will use them to reach their business or commercial goals. WiMax is geared for data and high-speed broadband applications, but does not allow operations at slower speeds and networks, while LTE is for voice, primarily in GSM technologies, and can be backward compatible with 2G and 3G networks.

In a more practical sense, WiMax users will not be able to use the service if it goes beyond the high-speed broadband coverage area. This is due to the fact that it was not designed to be backward compatible with slower networks. On the other hand, LTE can still be used even on 2G or 3G networks, however, the speed will be significantly lower.

One disadvantage of LTE , though, is it’s a relatively new technology and requires much more expensive equipment. WiMax has been in use years before LTE and has been deployed and in service at various locations around the globe. In terms of cost per device, LTE would be tagged with a higher quote while WiMax would cost only a fifth or even a seventh of what LTE devices would be worth in the market.

Who’s winning in Asia?

In a 2009 report released by TelecomAsia, there were already 12 mobile WiMax networks during the first quarter of 2009 compared to zero for LTE . Note that this data includes only mobile WiMax networks and did not consider fixed WiMax networks. If these fixed WiMax networks will be counted, there would already be 40 total WiMax networks in operations in the Asia-Pacific region during that quarter. However, LTE is fast gaining ground with 55 networks already planned or in deployment as compared to only 25 for WiMax for the same period.

On top of that, there were more operators planning to deploy LTE networks last year as compared to the previous year, according to Ghosh from Mint. This includes Qualcomm India and South Asia, the Asian subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc., which is considered the world’s biggest manufacturer of chips for mobile devices. Based on these deployment plans and subscribers based on technologies, it is projected that LTE networks will dominate the next generation mobile broadband market, even though WiMax already had a significant head start over LTE.

Still, Infonetics Research projects that WiMax will continue to have a significant share of the wireless broadband market, particularly in niche applications, not only in Asia but in the rest of the world. India would lead the way with major Indian operators pursuing WiMax deployments. The Middle Eastern region, known for affluent and stable economies, are seen to pursue WiMax applications to boost their inferior telecommunications systems and infrastructure.

Japanese and Korean markets are seen to pursue both WiMax and LTE adoption, so it would be more likely that dual mode devices would arise leading to a convergence of both technologies. China is foreseen to make a huge step towards LTE with China Mobile and Huawei, two of China’s biggest players in the telecommunications industry, making plans to migrate to LTE in the next couple of years.

Speaking about his home country Pakistan, Afzal Bajwa from technologizer.com says that the consumer markets that are using various mobile devices already use a WiMax-like connectivity but at much slower rates, particularly averaging only 300 kbs. Previous attempts to offer wireless broadband connectivity proved unsuccessful. However, with China Mobile, ZTE and Huawei already operating mobile networks in Pakistan, it is most likely that the country would also mirror China’s move towards 4G – including the choice of LTE.

Upcoming Trends: The Battle Surges On

Recent broadband spectrum auctions were announced by the Indian government, particularly two slots of 20 MHz intended for broadband wireless services. With no technological specification identified in these deployments, a mad scramble between WiMax and LTE surges anew, both eager to capture this potentially huge market.

In preparation, the WiMax Forum is beefing up the certification and profiling of WiMax 2, intended to provide 300 Mbps speeds, which is significantly higher than the current rating of 40 Mbps. WiMax is also confident that the lower cost of WiMax devices and the readiness of the platform makes it ideal for India’s broadband roll out.

However, the 20 MHz spectrum that India offers may cause problems with interference using the WiMax technologies, which require a minimum of 30 MHz of spectrum – a fact that is known in the industry. Still, already 1,800 WiMax base stations have already been deployed by BSNL, an operator owned by the state, as part of its rural WiMax project. On the other hand, the GSM Association is lobbying for LTE and is pushing for this technology platform as more appropriate for the Indian broadband rollout. LTE has greater tolerance for interference and would be suitable for the needs of the populace.

Stephen Lawson from IDG News Service notes that in China, the deployment of LTE networks by China Mobile alone is seen to be more than the worldwide deployment of WiMax networks. Huawei Technologies, a major player in mobile infrastructure making its presence worldwide, has been selected to undergo commercial deployments of LTE not only in China, but in six commercial deployments across the world. Huawei is currently conducting 60 Long Term Evolution trials among carriers in different parts of the world including the United States and Singapore.

Integration between WiMax and LTE: Is it Possible?

As the battle rages between the deployment of WiMax and LTE , many are calling for a stoppage to this rivalry, urging both camps to focus on their technologies so they can achieve and reach new heights. For one thing, this is totally different from the VHS and Betamax format rivalry of the 1970s and the 1980s, where one or the other had to cease existence, with Betamax on the losing end.

While many sectors compare WiMax as the Betamax of the 21st century, basing their prognosis on the deployment trend for LTE , it should not really have to be this way as both technologies can focus on their own niche and can even co-exist if operators would want it too. In light of this, there are ongoing attempts to integrate these technologies – resulting in even better benefits for end users.

In Korea, devices are currently being developed that would feature dual-mode capabilities that can use both WiMax and LTE . In the West, the Femto Forum from London is currently working with the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance to develop a femtocell solution that would enable the integration of WiMax and LTE . The results would be better wireless broadband coverage for personal, community, commercial or corporate applications.