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When can we expect it to be widespread? Perhaps not in 2010. While TeliaSonera was able to pull the trigger on LTE before the 2009 calendar ran out, and many other providers hope to get something tangible off the ground by the end of 2010, it will likely be 2011 before the technology becomes widespread, in earnest.
Part of the delay, according to TM Forum President Martin Creaner at Management World-Americas 2009, has to do with operators looking for some sort of standardization from the LTE community in the next 6-9 months.
Challenges
The challenges that LTE brings with it are many, and there are many ways in which the OSS/BSS set must aid the consumer.
In his BSS Report this month, our own Ed Finegold reports that billing systems are ready for LTE and are waiting for the technology to catch up. However, Finegold, citing sources at Intec, reports that policy management is not quite so ready for prime-time. That’s one
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It will likely be 2011 before the technology becomes widespread, in earnest. |
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In addition, LTE brings with it the challenges of a mixed network design. While new network elements are being bought into the fold with new technologies, the existing network must be considered, as well. It’s up to the OSS providers to ensure that the new generation of network elements is taken care of while the legacy network that will still handle much of the bandwidth across the network landscape is incorporated into the overall picture, as well.
Furthermore, the issue of network capacity (as highlighted in an article appearing elsewhere in this month’s issue) remains a formidable one. LTE deployments aid the network in being more efficient, but still encourage an overall increase in the volume of bandwidth being consumed by subscribers. That’s an area in which the OSS/BSS community must aid providers in meeting demand.
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area in which carriers need to coordinate with BSS vendors to step up their game.
Other challenges abound. With LTE comes an increase in the overall complexity of the devices that consumers use on a day-to-day basis. That, after all, is the whole point of LTE: To enable users to access unparalleled services wherever they go.
However, the increase in complexity will be a challenge that device management solutions in the IT space will have to scramble to compensate for. To the extent that the automation of the configuration and management of these devices is possible, it should, of course, be pursued. However, end-users have a knack for painting themselves into corners in attempting to trouble-shoot problems with their devices, and greater complexity brings with it a greater likelihood for device management mishaps.
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As we enter 2010, we do so with the promise of a new technological juggernaut just in the distance. TeliaSonera has fostered its first rays breaking the horizon, but there’s still a massive amount about LTE that has yet to be revealed. Will it live up to its promise?
We’ll see, as Long Term Evolution continues to evolve.
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