Wimax vs. LTE, for Mobile Broadband, Term Paper Example

Introduction

Texas is one of the top cities in the US that has experience a high level of connectivity to mobile broadband network. The city residents have access to diverse mobile broadband connectivity in the region. In Texas, nearly half of the adults (48%) use as a mobile technologies to access the Internet and related services. In Texas, the ISP’s have done much work in adjusting trying to adopt the 4G technology from the 3G technology. The 4G technology is an advanced technology, unlike the 3G network which is based on a switch circuit infrastructure of 2G networks. The 4G network is a technology that is based on the Internet Protocol (IP, Internet Protocol) as basis, with high speeds that are similar to that of wired broadband networks. The 4G network is developed to enhance convenience in broadband connectivity, for it is a network of networks that a system that is based on IP protocol, convergence of wired and wireless networks to boost convenience to the users.

The LTE and WIMax Technologies have been widely employed in the delivery of mobile broadband Internet service, and in enhancing the 4G network. According to the ITU, the development of the 4G broadband Internet network is geared towards offering certain features to the Internet users. First, it provides the users with the opportunity to access downstream data rates of 100Mbps and 1Gbps, in outdoor and indoor environments respectively. The 4G Internet broadband network also provides a high quality of service (QoS) security end to end. This technology also has the capacity to access Internet broadband services at high speeds anywhere, anytime, and with transparent interoperability (Ergen, 2009).

The LTE and WIMax technologies are widely employed in the delivery of the 4G Internet broadband to the people. These technologies have a high sense of commonality of functionality worldwide, without compromising its flexibility in supporting diverse applications at a cost efficient way. The ability of the technologies to be compatible with the mobile networks and fixed networks, and ease to work with many applications has seen its increased adoption in the world of the day. The ability of the technology to accommodate for high data, which can support advanced services and applications, as well as, its capacity for global connectivity has also boosted its application in promoting mobile broadband connectivity across.

Texas City Internet Broadband Technology  

Texas City Internet broadband connectivity is much advanced due to the efforts that have been put in place by the Government and the local ISP companies. The continued availability and efforts by the ISP companies in promoting Internet broadband connectivity has yielded fruits. ISP companies include; DataJack Inc., and Cricket in providing mobile broadband Internet solutions to a people using PC, MAC, or any WIFI devices, such as, smart phones, iPads, tablets and net books. On average, many of the mobile broadband users access this service at a relatively cheaper price beginning with offers of $9.99 per month.

Statistics reveal that an approximate 48% of the adults in Texas City (estimated 8.9 million people) use mobile Internet broadband network to connect to the Internet. This figure includes individuals who access Internet through their cell phones, alongside those who use other devices, such as, the iPads, tablets, and net books. Most Texans subscribe to the local ISP to access Internet for their computers. Through mobile broadband connectivity, a significant proportion of the populations have the opportunity to access Internet broadband services regardless of where they are located (Hassanein, 2011).

Secondly, it is estimated that 11% of the adults in Texas City (2.1 million) subscribe to mobile broadband connection, as opposed to home broadband service. The high preference to mobile broadband Internet over the home service comes amidst the desire by many of the local consumers to experience convenience in access to Internet connection regardless of their location. Many of the Texans have shown great interest in mobile broadband connections due to its convenience in access and the high speeds that they can enjoy. Statistics also reveal that of the 11% of adults who have subscribed to mobile Internet connection, a significant portion of this population comes from the low-income and minority communities.

In addition, it is estimated that 84% of Texas adults, an equivalent of 15.3 million people own cell phones, with a majority of this population (56%) of the population as individuals who have subscribed to mobile Internet service that allows them to access Internet straight from their cell phones. An estimated 5 million of Texans use their cell phones to access Internet on their phones. This reveals the flexibility that most of the people have in access Internet services within Texas cities. Mobile technologies have become a norm among the Texans in accessing Internet service to enable them carry out a number of applications.

With regard to the satisfaction from the use of mobile Internet broadband service, many of the Texans report high levels of satisfaction out of the mobile broadband connectivity. This is because of the high speeds they experience from this service. The people are in a position to access Internet at any time, in any place, at a faster speed, features that were not available before. This trend has made Texas to experience a high level of mobile Internet broadband connectivity, which has boosted the economy of the city. Improved mobile Internet connectivity in Texas has also allowed the people to experience better form of living through timely access to information and data, and a high level of interactivity among the people through the mobile broadband Internet network (Ergen, 2009).

Wimax Vs LTE in Texas City

Currently, there are two contending technologies for fourth generation mobile telephony in Texas. These technologies include the WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), and the LTE (Long-Term Evolution) technology. These two technologies have been applied in different contexts in Texas either independently or as complementary technologies. Research on the effectiveness of both technologies in enhancing the further generation mobile telephony has been underway, with different views being formulated on the effectiveness of each. This has sparked debate in other spheres over, which technology should be adopted in promoting the implementation of the fourth generation mobile broadband Internet connectivity.

The WiMAX technology is defined as a wireless digital communication system, which has been designed with IEEE 802.16 standard for application in metropolitan area networks. In this context, the metropolitan area networks are basically applied in serving large populations within longer distances that are in need of fast speed and reliable mobile Internet broadband connectivity. In this context, the WIMAx technology provides to the Internet users broadband communications that cover in excess of 31 miles distance for the fixed station users, and 9 miles for the mobile stations. This standard referred to as the 802.16m standard is also known as mobile WiMAX, which is mainly used by the cellular companies for 4G service transmission to the public.

On the other side, the LTE, an acronym for Long-Term Evolution technology is a technology that has been advanced and defined by the  3GPP Organization (3rd Generation Partnership Project). The LTE technology has been defined  by the 3GPP organization, which comprises  of 60 operators, manufacturers and research institutes which have comes together to set out basic standards for LTE. Both the LTE and the WIMAx technologies have been used as platforms to transmit signals and data across large populations and distances in the metropolitan areas that need this service.

Indeed, one may argue that both the LTE and the WIMAx technologies are technically similar in the way they operate in the process of transmitting signals and data to Internet broadband users across their networks. For instance, in both the LTE and WIMAx technologies, the information is sent to two or more cell phone antennas with the intention to boost the quality and reliability of reception. This has been evident in the application of these technologies in Texas allowing millions of consumers of broadband Internet service to experience convenience in reception to data and signals to their devices (Hassanein, 2011).

In addition, the LTE and WIMAx technology employ the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technology in transmission of signals to the consumer. In this context, the Orthogonal Frequency Division technology refers to a new technology that allows for ease in streaming of multimedia and video. This is a feature that has been long awaited by many of the Internet broadband users in Texas, which has boosted the consumer satisfaction among the users of the technology. The OFDM is a mature and highly proven technology that works through separating the signals into multiple frequencies narrow, with the ability of bits of data to be sent at the same time to the users of the broadband Internet in their locations (Ghosh & Ratasuk, 2011).

The LTE and WIMAx technologies have been viewed to be more or less complementary technologies, as opposed to being rivals. These technologies are contrasted to the TDMA-based technologies (such as 2G, 2.5G and 3G), which were at different directions with the CDMA-based technologies, due to their contrasting modulation schemes that made them incompatible. By contrast, LTE and WiMAX have similar modulation scheme characterized by the OFDM technology, as well as, the same channel of signal transmission to multiple antennas (MIMO). In addition, both technologies are based on the IP protocol. In Texas, the LTE and the WIMAx technology may be viewed as complementary technologies with operators having the liberty to use WiMAX and LTE for some services to others (Akhtman, Wang & Jiang, 2010).

Future trends in the area

In Texas, certain predictions about the integration of these technologies are evident. However, the LTE technology seems to take more ground in the city due to its wide applications in providing mobile Internet broadband. The LTE technology in the area seems to grow at a faster rate as compared to the WIMAx technology in transmission of data and signals to the consumers using diverse devices to access Internet service. This trend has been pushed by the fast growth of the industry in expanding communications, Internet broadband infrastructure and the mobile terminals to serve the Texans (Hassanein, 2011).

Experts have advanced their forecasts with regard to the spread of these technologies in the near future. According to experts, the current trend characterized by the spread of LTE technologies over the WIMAx technologies is expected to continue for the next few years. It is expected that by the end of 2014, the number of LTE subscribers will have grown to nine times to the number of WIMAx subscribers (users). It is expected that by the year 2015, LTE will have attracted in excess of 15 million subscribers in Texas, and remain a marker leader in the area.

This forecast is based on the efforts that LTE ISPs are undertaking n Texas. The companies offering LTE technologies have taken an active role in investing its infrastructure across Texas with the intention of attracting more users of this technology. Indeed, this year, companies including the AT&T and Verizon in the U.S. as well as, the TeliaSonera and Vodafone Companies in Europe have invested in Texas with the intention to expand the LTE technology networks among the Texan consumers. Already, over 10 ISPs in Texas are serving the 4G technology through the LTE technology of transmission of signals, and this figure is expected to go high up (Ghosh & Ratasuk, 2011).

It is also expected in the future that mobile broadband Internet connectivity may evolve to a flat rate voice, data and content over the IP networks in Texas. Currently, the well established telecommunication companies in Texas have shown more interest in the LTE technologies, a move that has seen a fast increase in the numbers of LTE users in the area. This is as opposed to the new companies that are investing on the WIMAx technologies. The LTE technology seems to be better placed to expand in the future due to the high speeds and the economies of scale enjoyed by the large ISP’s in Texas that have embarked in expanding this technology.

The future may also be characterized by increased rivalry among the LTE and WIMAx technology providers in Texas market. This rivalry may be based on a number of aspects including the issues of cost and reliability of the infrastructure in delivering high speeds broadband Internet service. Many of the Texans look at the 4G as a significant mobile Internet revolution that will have an influence on the speed and convenience in accessing Internet service, and from this perspective, then the issue of speed, reliability, and cost may be critical; determining factors of the technology of preference in Texas future.

Regulations & Expansion of LTE/WIMAx Technologies in Texas

Texas has one of the best legal frameworks that support the expansion of home and mobile Internet broadband services to its people. Texas has devoted its efforts in developing legal structures that have attracted many of the ISPs from the US, and Europe in investing on expansion of Internet broadband connection. This has yielded fruits for many ISP’s have moved into Texas as a potential market to get customers in need of high speed and reliable Internet broadband network. Many of the ISP’s have invested on the LTE with a few companies, especially the new one investing in the WIMAx technology in sending signals to the Internet users (Sauter, 2011).

It is critical to note that as both technologies grow, then more Texans are in a position to access the needed Internet broadband connectivity. Both the WIMAx and the LTE technologies are emerging technologies for high speed mobile broadband Internet with similar goals. The main goal of both technologies is to enable the expansion of the worldwide wireless data network connectivity for diverse devices including the PC computers, laptops, cell phones, and other computing devices. The ultimate end with the competition that exists in the implementation of these technologies in Texas is improved mobile Internet broadband connectivity in the area.

The flexibility in the legal framework on telecommunication technologies in application in Texas has given the liberty to different companies to choose on the technologies that will best suit their need. For instance, in Texas, different wireless providers and vendors have picked on either LTE or WIMAx technologies to back up their service. In this context, ISP companies, such as Sprint, the cellular Internet provider has picked on the WIMAx technology in spreading its services across the market. This may be contrasted to Verizon and AT&T ISP companies that support their services through the LTE technology (Sauter, 2011).

There is no legal restriction on the nature of technology that should be applied in one area over another. This has given liberty to the local ISP companies to employ different technologies in reaching out to their target consumers. In Texas, the LTE and WIMAx technologies have captured millions of users who have been drawn to the mobile Internet broadband network. However, it may also be critical to note that none of these technologies will have the ability to replace the WIFI home networks and hotpots, a technology that many Texans have fallen fond of with time.

Conclusion

Conclusively, the study has made it clear that Texas has experienced fast growth in the expansion of mobile Internet broadband network.  This growth has been facilitated by the goof law that have attracted the ISP company investors, and promoted the developments of the 4G technologies that has enhanced speed and reliability. The local major local ISP companies including Sprint, Verizon and AT&T companies have labored in undertaking key technologies of LTE and WIMAx in backing up the transmission of data and signals to the devices used by their customers including PCs, laptops, cell phones, tablets, iPads, and net books among others. The study makes clear that Texas City has experienced a significant growth in the numbers of subscribers to mobile Internet broadband network.

In addition, the study has also analyzed the two competing mobile Internet broadband technologies-LTE and the WIMAx technologies. It is evident that Texas City ISP companies use both technologies in backing up their services. It is clear that the large companies in this area, which have been there for sometime have picked on the LTE technology, while new companies settling on the WIMAx technology. The future trend in the implementation of this technology reveals a high likelihood of the growth in use of the LTE technology in backing up mobile Internet broadband network service. One may draw a conclusion that WiMAX v/s LTE is not a battle after all, for both technologies are here to stay in backing up mobile Internet broadband services offered to the consumers in Texas.

References

Akhtman, Y., Wang, L. &  Jiang, M. (2010). MIMO-OFDM for LTE, WiFi and WiMAX. NewYork: John Wiley & Sons.

Ergen, M. (2009). Mobile Broadband: Including WiMAX and LTE. London: Springer.

Ghosh, A.  Ratasuk, R. (2011). Essentials of LTE and LTE-A. NewYork: Cambridge University Press.

Hassanein, S. (2011). LTE, LTE-Advanced and WiMAX: Towards IMT-Advanced Networks. NewYork: John Wiley & Sons.

Sauter, M. (2011). Beyond 3G – Bringing Networks. NewYork: John Wiley & Sons.