Huawei’s Unified, Simplified LTE Network Offers Operators Future- Proof Network

At the 4.5G Evolution Summit during the 2017 Global MBB Forum, Veni Shone, President of Huawei’s LTE Product Line, officially introduced the concept of enabling full service on a unified, simplified infrastructure network for MBB2020. Huawei plans to incubate a full range of services on a smart network that delivers a Giga experience. Huawei will work with operators to construct a future-proof network that is driven by both technological development and business success.

Redefining the infrastructure network for future opportunities

In the past, the infrastructure network relied on 2G/3G and voice services as the core services. As consumer service requirements diversified, data services replaced voice as key services. In addition, networks have become increasingly complex. Operators have to maintain multiple networks of 2G, 3G, and LTE. Selecting an infrastructure network for an operators' core services has become absolutely necessary. Most operators around the world have switched the focus of their investment and maintenance to LTE networks. Some operators are considering investing only a small amount in 2G/3G, or even closing down existing 2G/3G networks. By the end of October 2017, LTE networks were serving 30% of the world's population in more than 300 countries or regions. It is projected that two-thirds of the world's population will enjoy LTE services by 2020.

Over the past decade, LTE has matured to provide services that have traditionally been borne on 2G/3G networks. Using LTE for infrastructure networks, to bear both voice and data services, has become a new trend. This is because LTE infrastructure networks are inexpensive, provide excellent coverage and high spectral efficiency, and support for a variety of services. A mature LTE industry chain has been formed, with sufficient LTE chips and commercial terminals available in the market. LTE will usher the wireless industry into another boom over the next two decades.

Nurturing new services to create unprecedented value

In recent years, requirements for wireless network applications have grown rapidly, not only from individuals, but also from households and vertical industries. The value chain is constantly changing. All these factors inject great potential into wireless network development and bring tremendous opportunities and challenges in network operation. The LTE infrastructure network is promoting a transformative upgrade in traditional industries. With such a network, operators can proactively explore multiple new industry ecosystems and business models while optimizing their existing services. They can create unprecedented value in sectors as diverse as the IoT, Internet of Vehicles (IoV), Internet of Elevators, Internet of Cows, and public safety.

LTE is the perfect choice, both technologically and commercially, to support full service development over the next two decades. It is the fastest growing type of communications network. A single LTE carrier can provide over 1 Gbps when commercial terminals are used. With continuous LTE evolution, the throughput is likely to increase by several fold. In addition, different business models can be flexibly used for LTE networks, which are proved as a success in B2C, B2H, B2X, and other fields.

Unified, simplified wireless networks bursting with vitality

Unified, simplified networks are by no means just networks with simplified architectures. Rather, wireless intelligence and other advanced technologies are introduced to automatically deploy, optimize, and maintain these networks. Such capabilities allow wireless networks to adapt to challenges caused by diversified service requirements and reduce the cost of network O&M.

To make the network O&M easier, cutting-edge technologies such as NB-IoT and VoLTE must be quickly commercialized to transfer 2G/3G services to LTE networks. Then, the unused networks can be released to ensure higher LTE spectral efficiency and a better service experience. In this way, new services in newly involved industries can be developed in an all-round, sustainable manner.

“The increased number of NEs make network planning, design, and maintenance more complex,” Veni Shone said," President of Huawei’s LTE Product Line. “Operators have to hire more employees, and these employees have comprehensive competency requirements. In addition, with the NE increase, LTE networks are transforming into an organic, multi-faced entity that is capable of service awareness. This entity is full of vitality and allows for gradual transit to artificial intelligence (AI)." Some 36% of operators around the world have started offering unlimited LTE data packages. Prospering vertical industries are also providing new business models. Deploying a unified, simplified LTE-based infrastructure network carrying full service maximizes network value, allows more people to enjoy better and cost-effective information services, and helps operators and their partners achieve long-term business success.”