,1
Introduction
1. 1.1 Introduction
2. 1.2 LTE Global Deployments and Devices
3. 1.3 Mobile Data Traffic Growth
4. 1.4 LTE Technology Evolution
5. 1.5 LTE Spectrum
6. 1.6 Small Cell Deployments
7. 1.7 Network Optimization
8. 1.8 LTE Evolution Beyond Release 13
9. 1.9 Summary
10. References
1.1 Introduction
Mobile broadband technology has experienced an incredibly fast evolution during the last 10 years.
The first High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) network was launched 2005 enabling the
high-speed mobile broadband and the first iPhone was launched 2007 creating the massive need
for the mobile broadband. The data rates have increased more than 100-fold and the data volumes
by more than 1000-fold during the last 10 years. The HSDPA started with 3.6 Mbps while the
latest Long-Term Evolution (LTE)-Advanced networks deliver user data rates of 300 Mbps during
2014 and 450 Mbps during 2015. But still, we have just seen the first part of the mobile broadband
era – the fast evolution continues forward. Also, the number of mobile broadband subscribers is
increasing rapidly with affordable new smartphones providing the internet access for the next
billions of users.
This chapter shortly introduces the status of LTE networks globally, the traffic growth, LTE in
Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and the spectrum aspects. The chapter also discusses
the importance of the small cell deployments, the network optimization and the LTE.
1.2 LTE Global Deployments and Devices
The first commercial LTE network was opened by Teliasonera in Sweden in December
2009 marking the new era of high-speed mobile communications. The number of commercial LTE
networks has already increased to 460 in more than 140 countries by end 2015. The fast growth of
launches has happened during 2012–2015. It is expected that more than 500 operators in more than
150 countries will soon have commercial LTE network running. The number of launched networks
is shown in Figure 1.1.
,Figure 1.1 Commercially launched LTE networks [1]
The very first LTE devices supported 100 Mbps in the form factor of Universal Serial Bus (USB)
modem. Soon LTE capability was introduced into high end and mid-priced smartphones with the
bit rate up to 150 Mbps. By 2015, LTE radio is found in most smartphones excluding the very low
end segment at 50-USD. The data rate capability is increased to 300 Mbps, and 450 Mbps, in the
latest devices. An example drive test throughput is shown in Figure 1.2 illustrating that it is
possible to get very close to 300 Mbps in the good channel conditions in the field with Category
6 devices. An example of such a device is shown in Figure 1.3. Also, the support for Voice over
LTE (VoLTE) is included, which allows to use LTE network not only for data connections but
also for voice connections.
, Figure 1.2 Drive test data rate with Category 6 LTE device
Introduction
1. 1.1 Introduction
2. 1.2 LTE Global Deployments and Devices
3. 1.3 Mobile Data Traffic Growth
4. 1.4 LTE Technology Evolution
5. 1.5 LTE Spectrum
6. 1.6 Small Cell Deployments
7. 1.7 Network Optimization
8. 1.8 LTE Evolution Beyond Release 13
9. 1.9 Summary
10. References
1.1 Introduction
Mobile broadband technology has experienced an incredibly fast evolution during the last 10 years.
The first High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) network was launched 2005 enabling the
high-speed mobile broadband and the first iPhone was launched 2007 creating the massive need
for the mobile broadband. The data rates have increased more than 100-fold and the data volumes
by more than 1000-fold during the last 10 years. The HSDPA started with 3.6 Mbps while the
latest Long-Term Evolution (LTE)-Advanced networks deliver user data rates of 300 Mbps during
2014 and 450 Mbps during 2015. But still, we have just seen the first part of the mobile broadband
era – the fast evolution continues forward. Also, the number of mobile broadband subscribers is
increasing rapidly with affordable new smartphones providing the internet access for the next
billions of users.
This chapter shortly introduces the status of LTE networks globally, the traffic growth, LTE in
Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and the spectrum aspects. The chapter also discusses
the importance of the small cell deployments, the network optimization and the LTE.
1.2 LTE Global Deployments and Devices
The first commercial LTE network was opened by Teliasonera in Sweden in December
2009 marking the new era of high-speed mobile communications. The number of commercial LTE
networks has already increased to 460 in more than 140 countries by end 2015. The fast growth of
launches has happened during 2012–2015. It is expected that more than 500 operators in more than
150 countries will soon have commercial LTE network running. The number of launched networks
is shown in Figure 1.1.
,Figure 1.1 Commercially launched LTE networks [1]
The very first LTE devices supported 100 Mbps in the form factor of Universal Serial Bus (USB)
modem. Soon LTE capability was introduced into high end and mid-priced smartphones with the
bit rate up to 150 Mbps. By 2015, LTE radio is found in most smartphones excluding the very low
end segment at 50-USD. The data rate capability is increased to 300 Mbps, and 450 Mbps, in the
latest devices. An example drive test throughput is shown in Figure 1.2 illustrating that it is
possible to get very close to 300 Mbps in the good channel conditions in the field with Category
6 devices. An example of such a device is shown in Figure 1.3. Also, the support for Voice over
LTE (VoLTE) is included, which allows to use LTE network not only for data connections but
also for voice connections.
, Figure 1.2 Drive test data rate with Category 6 LTE device
