I n t e r n a t i o n a l T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n U n i o n

QUESTION 18-1/2Final Report

ITU-D STUDY GROUP 2 4th STUDY PERIOD (2006-2010)

QUESTION 18-1/2:Implementation aspects of

IMT-2000 and information-sharing on systems beyond IMT-2000 for

developing countries

ii Question 22/2

I n t e r n a t i o n a l T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n U n i o n

DISCLAIMER

This report has been prepared by many experts from different administrations and companies. The mention of specific companies or products does not imply any endorsement or recommendation by ITU.

Question 18-1/2 v

PREFACE

The World Telecommunication Development Conference held in Doha, Qatar in 2006 (WTDC-06) revised and adopted Question 18/2 dealing with “Implementation aspects of IMT-2000 and information-sharing on systems beyond IMT-2000 for developing countries”. The main task entrusted to the Rapporteur’s Group was to address those aspects for the previous study period that had not been completed and to incorporate new information on IMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000. In completing its tasks, the Rapporteur’s Group has developed this Final Report for this study period to address the items under its purview.

Together with its previous work, this Final Report represents the latest information the Rapporteur’s Group can share with developing countries on the topics assigned to the group. This Report is the result of the dedication of experienced and qualified experts from different Administrations, companies, industry groups and associations from developed and developing countries. The fruitful and outstanding cooperation with the other ITU sectors deserves special mention.

The Rapporteur, Mr. Alberto Zetina, is to be commended for the important and useful results achieved, as well as special thanks are due to all those who have been volunteers in the work of the group and the preparation of this Final Report.

It is the hope of the group that this Final Report will be a useful source of information for developing countries.

Sami Al Basheer Al MorshidDirector

Telecommunication Development BureauInternational Telecommunication Union

vi Question 18-1/2

SUMMARY

This Final Report is intended for use of telecom operators, policy-makers and regulators to facilitate their understanding of implementation aspects of IMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000. This Report intends to present an objective and neutral view of the issues to be addressed regarding implementation aspects and has been prepared in response to the specific mandate of Q.18-1/2 from the WTDC.

This Report endeavours not to make any comparison between performance of different technologies nor to promote any specific technologies.

This document provides facts about the various mobile systems and technologies that might help the reader in implementing IMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000.

Question 18-1/2 vii

TABLE OF CONTENTSPage

I Abbreviations / glossary

II Ways of implementing IMT-2000, using satellites, as appropriate, for some countries and regions, taking into consideration ITU-R studies on integrated systems of IMT-20001. Introduction2. Deploying IMT-2000 via Satellite Backhaul3. Satellite Component of IMT-2000....................................................................................

III Key elements to be studied in order to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation of IMT-2000 and its evolution in developing countriesa. Key elements for regulators, including licensing aspects, on implementing IMT-2000

networks, services and applications1. Follow global trends and ITU guidance.................................................................2. Provide regulatory certainty3. Spectrum management4. Competition enhancement and current service improvement.................................

b Key elements for regulators, including licensing aspects, on implementing satellite IMT-2000 networks, services and applications

c IMT-2000 services and applications,opportunities for developing countries1 Mobile Money........................................................................................................ 82 mHealth................................................................................................................... 8

d Economics of implementation of IMT-2000e Market analysis – Economies of scale (including terminals)

1 Network Infrastructure............................................................................................ 102 Mobile terminals..................................................................................................... 103 Applications and Content....................................................................................... 114 Pricing..................................................................................................................... 11

IV Information on the specific impact of the implementation of IMT-2000 on women, youth, indigenous people and people with disabilities

V Information on the specific impact of the implementation of IMT-2000 on environmental issues

VI Information on IMT-Advanced systems

VII Countries’ experiences (http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/Links/CaseStudies.html)

Question 18-1/2 1

QUESTION 18-1/2

I Abbreviations / glossary

2G Second Generation3G Third Generation4G Fourth GenerationABCCAPEX Capital ExpendituresCDMA Code Division Multiple AccessCPE Customer Premises EquipmentDEFGGDP Gross Domestic ProductGSM Global System for Mobile CommunicationsHHSPA High Speed Downlink Packet AccessIICTIMT-2000 International Mobile Telecommunications – 2000IP Internet ProtocolITU International Telecommunication UnionITU-D International Telecommunication Union – Development SectorITU-R International Telecommunication Union – Radiocommunication SectorITU-T International Telecommunication Union – Telecommunication SectorJKLLTE Long Term Evolution MMT Mobile TerminalNOOFDMA Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple AccessOPEX Operating ExpendituresP

2 Question 18-1/2

QRRF Radio FrequencySSMS Short Message ServiceTTDD Time Division DuplexingUVWWiMAX Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave AccessWMAN Wide-area Metropolitan Area NetworkYZ

II Ways of implementing IMT-2000, using satellites, as appropriate, for some countries and regions, taking into consideration ITU-R studies on integrated systems of IMT-2000

1. Introduction

Satellite technologies can play a valuable role in the implementation of IMT-2000, particularly in extending networks to those areas where terrestrial IMT-2000 is unavailable or cost-prohibitive to deploy. The following section contains information on the use of satellite-based solutions, including the satellite component of IMT-2000, so that developing countries take these into account when formulating strategies for IMT-2000 deployment.

2. Deploying IMT-2000 via Satellite Backhaul

Satellite-based backhaul has played an increasingly important role in extending the reach and coverage of mobile telephony networks throughout the globe, particularly in developing markets. Advancements in technologies have led to more cost-effective and robust satellite solutions, making them an integral component of mobile network deployment. As countries transition to IMT-2000, satellite backhaul will continue to play a role in providing connectivity to regions where fibre or terrestrial wireless technology alone are not an economically viable solution.

Satellite Backhaul Advantages

Using satellite backhaul to extend IMT-2000 networks offers benefits in terms of coverage, cost, security and redundancy. Geostationary Orbit (GSO) satellites can provide backhaul services for a large region with only minimum expenditure on infrastructure. Satellite backhaul solutions enable operators to position IMT-2000 base stations where they would provide the most benefit to citizens, with little reference to the constraints usually placed on IMT-2000 deployment due to the location of terrestrial infrastructure.

The use of satellite backhaul also provides redundancy of connectivity. Damage to the fibre backbone network could lead to terrestrial base stations being cut off from key networks, while the extra diversity that satellite backhaul provides will ensure that connectivity remains un-interrupted, even if there is serious damage to terrestrial infrastructure. This diversity allows each base station with the capability to access satellite backhaul to operate independently of regional events, such as natural disasters, which can cause significant damage to the local and regional infrastructure.

Sat HUB

SatTerminal

DVB-S2TDM

MF-TDMA

Internet Peering or VPN/Lease Line

1.2 .. 1.8 m antenna

DVB-S2 : DVB Standard EN 302307MF-TDMA : Multiple-Frequency Time-Division Multiple Access

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Example of Satellite Backhauling Network

As satellite technologies continue to advance and IMT-2000 is deployed more widely, satellite backhaul solutions are expected to play an increasingly critical role in closing the digital divide for advanced services such as IMT-2000.

3. Satellite Component of IMT-2000

The satellite and terrestrial components of IMT-2000 generally complement each other by providing service coverage to areas which either one alone may not serve for economic reasons. Each component has particular advantages and constraints. The satellite component can provide coverage to areas which may not be within the economic range of the terrestrial component, such as rural and remote regions.

The ITU has approved several recommendations associated with the satellite component of IMT-2000, as follows:• ITU-R Recommendation M.818-2 - Satellite operation within International Mobile

Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000);• ITU-R Recommendation M.819-2 - International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000)

for developing countries;• ITU-R Recommendation M.1167 - Framework for the satellite component of International Mobile

Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000);• ITU-R Recommendation M.1391-1 - Methodology for the calculation of IMT-2000 satellite

spectrum requirements; and• ITU-R Recommendation M.1457-7 - Detailed specifications of the radio interfaces of International

Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000).

4 Question 18-1/2

III Key elements to be studied in order to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation of IMT-2000 and its evolution in developing countries

a. Key elements for regulators, including licensing aspects, on implementing IMT-2000 networks, services and applications

1. Follow global trends and ITU guidance

Equipment manufacturing in the telecoms market is a global business. The volumes of sales required to offset development costs of user terminals and network equipment cannot be supported by most national markets, especially in many developing countries where penetration is lower and handset replacement less frequent than in developed markets.

Mobile subscriber penetration has been demonstrated to be sensitive to the cost of terminals; therefore, by taking unilateral decisions, governments may block access to the global equipment market and raise costs for mobile phone users. By following global trends and ITU guidance on issues such as spectrum planning or equipment standards, developing country Administrations can facilitate more rapid implementation of IMT networks due to cheaper equipment made possible through economies of scale.

Examples of recent changes of which administrations should be aware would include changes to the IMT-2000 technologies and the bands which are identified for their use.

1a. Changes in IMT-2000 Technologies

As part of its regular work programme, ITU-R WP5D updates the Recommendations on IMT-2000 to incorporate advancements in the IMT-2000 technologies. The latest version of these Recommendations (ITU-R M.1457, ITU-R M.1580, and ITU-R M.1581) are available on the ITU website and should be consulted for the most up-to-date information.

As reflected in the IMT-2000 Recommendations, the ITU Radiocommunication Assembly 2007 took a decision to include the all IP and OFDMA-based technology, IMT-2000 OFDMA TDD WMAN (also known as WiMAX), in the IMT-2000 family of standards. This agreement opened the way for the deployment of a range of voice, data, and multimedia services to both stationary and mobile devices. Significantly, it opened the door to mobile Internet, catering to demand in both urban and rural markets1.

There is a general trend toward the application of all IP and OFDMA-based next generation IMT-2000 technologies and Figure-1 represents the shift from GSM and CDMA-based technologies to OFDMA-based technologies and advantages that can be achieved with the transition.

1 http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2007/30.html

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Figure 1 represents the Shift to OFDMA based Mobile technologies

All IP-based IMT-2000 networks provide following advantages to mobile operators delivering broadband services: • Increased Revenue: rapid roll-out of advanced services • Lower CAPEX and OPEX • Higher compatibility, lower complexity • Simplified internetworking with other IP technologies • Easy fit into wired and wireless ecosystem

OFDMA technology provides high data rate capability and excellent support for new features such as advanced antenna technologies to maximize coverage and the number of users supported by the network. A key advantage of OFDMA-based IMT-2000 technologies is to deliver higher bandwidth efficiency and therefore higher data rates. Adaptive modulation also increases link reliability for carrier-class operation and the possibility to keep higher order modulation at wider distance extend full capacity over longer distances. The technology behind OFDMA-based IMT-2000 technologies has been optimized to provide non-line-of-sight (NLoS) coverage. NLoS advantages are coverage of wider areas, better predictability of coverage and lower cost as it means fewer base stations and backhaul, simpler RF planning, shorter towers and faster CPE install times. Thanks to techniques such as diversity, space-time coding, and Automatic Retransmission Request (ARQ), NLoS coverage is increased.

OFDMA-based IMT-2000 technologies provide excellent cost-effective opportunity for developing countries to enable existing mobile users to become broadband mobile internet users.

OFDMA-based technologies have the capability to use wider channels to provide higher data rates and more capacity.

Therefore, the licensing of IMT frequency spectrum bands is very important for the introduction of all IP and OFDMA based IMT-2000 technologies to provide low cost broadband and internet.

Today the major problem faced by developing and developed countries is broadband connectivity; and many countries are looking for all IP based, economical, fast applicable, broadband technologies to offer affordable broadband services and internet. All IP and OFDMA based IMT-2000 technologies offer solutions for both developed and developing countries in urban and rural areas. To realize the potential benefits of these technologies, regulators need to make sufficient spectrum available on a technology-neutral basis. The economic viability of an operator’s business case is highly sensitive to the size of the spectrum assignment.

SPECTRUMEFFICIENCY

SIMPLIFIES ADVANCED

RF TECHNIQUES

LEVERAGESBANDWIDTH

OPTIMIZESSPECTRUMALLOCATION

DeliveredThroughput

Early ’90s Mid-’90s Early ’00s Mid-’00s

GSM

CDMA

OFDMA

CDMA=Code Division Multiple Access, OFDM=Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex

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Smaller allocations limit the capacity per km2, requiring more infrastructure to meet demand. Therefore, sufficient spectrum should be made available to operators within the spectrum identified for IMT.

1b. Changes in IMT-2000 Band Identification

Developing countries can benefit from the advantages of all IP and OFDMA-based IMT-2000 technologies by licensing frequency spectrum in the bands are identified by the ITU for global deployment of IMT services. At the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2007 (WRC-07) new bands were identified for use by IMT-2000 technologies. With the inclusion of these bands, the following bands have been identified for IMT in the Radio Regulations:

Band (MHz) Footnotes identifying the bandfor IMT

450-470 5.286AA698-960 5.313A; 5.317A

1 710-2 025 5.384A, 5.388, 5.388A, 5.388B2 110-2 200 5.3882 300-2 400 5.384A2 500-2 690 5.384A3 400-3 600 5.430A, 5.432A, 5.432B, 5.433A

In many developing countries, IMT-2000 licenses are still not assigned. These countries can directly start with next generation all IP and OFDMA-based IMT-2000 technologies.

2. Provide regulatory certainty

Developing equipment and then planning, financing and rolling out mobile telephony networks involve many years and often billions of dollars in investment. It is thus crucial that Administrations provide regulatory certainty for those seeking to offer services and equipment in their countries.

While some surety is given by decisions adopted at the ITU, or by regional bodies such as the European Union, it is the individual decisions of national Administrations in adhering to these rules that affect that way in which operators and manufacturers can offer services and equipment in their countries.

3. Spectrum management

Access to harmonised spectrum in a timely fashion is important for ensuring that consumers (particularly in rural and developing markets) can benefit from the services offered by mobile technologies. In particular, to help deliver the benefits of broadband, mobile networks can be particularly attractive in developing markets. To do this however requires timely availability of spectrum, such as from the digital dividend (i.e. the switch off analogue TV.)

4. Competition enhancement and current service improvement

Competition continues to be an important factor in developing mature telephony markets. The effects of competition on service offering, quality of service and service price are well documented, and many developing country governments have been working to enhance competition in their mobile markets. However, in promoting competition, Administrations should consider not just facilitating new market entrants, but also encouraging service enhancements of existing providers.

Network roll-out takes time, and financing networks is a delicate and lengthy process. In many cases, in its efforts to increase competition in mobile markets by offering new licenses and spectrum allocations to only

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Greenfield entrants, governments may actually delay the deployment of new services due to increased network infrastructure costs, which means higher service costs. Developing country administrations may see more rapid deployment of IMT services by encouraging existing mobile operators to offer enhanced services to more territories and more consumers, alongside of encouraging new entrants.

In some countries, licences have specifically included obligations that will lead to the deployment of the service in small municipalities, which are often hindered by lack of economical interest. Those obligations were included in exchange for a lower price for the use of the required spectrum resources. Companies that acquired licenses for operating broadband services in economically attractive regions must also implement mobile telecommunications services in least developed areas of the country.

In Brazil for example, it is expected that basic mobile services will be available in every Brazilian city with over 30 thousand inhabitants by 2010. During the implementation of the mobile broadband service and basic service expansion, the operators faced difficulties such as the lack of backbone infrastructure in the least developed regions of the country. This was circumvented by construction of core network and/or negotiation with long-distance telecommunications service operators, which provide high-capacity network services to a greater number of municipalities, far away from the main urban areas. In the future, this problem can be attenuated as national policies in this field are put into play. Currently, a governmental program that intends to stimulate the expansion of broadband backhaul infrastructure to small locations is in an early stage.

Through programs such as this, in many parts of the developing world, mobile network operators are now using HSPA technologies to become the lead supplier of broadband, having overtaken ADSL. In order to successfully role out these new services, operators will require continued regulatory support, and adequate spectrum resources, rather than exclusion in favour of new entrants.

b Key elements for regulators, including licensing aspects, on implementing satellite IMT-2000 networks, services and applications

As regulators and policymakers take steps to enable IMT-2000 deployment, the satellite role should be taken into account. Given the special characteristics of satellite networks, specifically the ability to provide truly global coverage, satellite solutions will be essential for any deployment strategy, particularly in developing regions. National spectrum allocations, licensing frameworks, and universal service schemes should provide consideration to the role of satellite technologies in IMT-2000 implementation and how regulatory decisions may facilitate, or impede, citizens from benefiting from satellite-enabled IMT-2000.

Countries considering deployment of IMT-2000, particularly in those areas that would benefit from the added value of satellite backhaul, should take steps to ensure that satellite and terrestrial networks are able to operate in an interference-free environment. The ITU-R has studied the impact of sharing between satellite and terrestrial networks regarding IMT-2000 deployment and sheds light on how plans to deploy IMT-2000 may inadvertently limit the role that satellite technologies can play in extending IMT-2000 networks and delay coverage for citizens.

For example, to provide secure satellite backhaul for IMT-2000 networks in countries most susceptible to rain fade (tropic areas around the equator), spectrum below 4200 MHz allocated for Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) should be protected from harmful interference from other services. Relevant ITU reports include:• ITU-R Report M.2045 - Mitigating techniques to address coexistence between IMT-2000 time

division duplex and frequency division duplex radio interface technologies within the frequency range 2 500-2 690 MHz operating in adjacent bands and in the same geographical area; and

• ITU-R Report M.2109 - sharing studies between IMT Advanced systems and geostationary satellite networks in the fixed-satellite service in the 3 400-4 200 and 4 500-4 800 MHz frequency bands.

c IMT-2000 services and applications,opportunities for developing countries

One objective of IMT-2000 technology is to foster affordable broadband connectivity anytime and anywhere. In addition to basic voice connectivity, broadband internet services can play a key role in economic development in both developing and developed countries. This information technology revolution is available only for those who have affordable access to these broadband networks. According to ITU ICT

8 Question 18-1/2

statistics database, 21% of the global population has access to the Internet, global broadband penetration is around 5% and global mobile penetration is 50% primarily for voice services.

It is noted that while the penetration of 2G mobile services is significantly high in developing countries the broadband penetration is still very low (less than 1% in Africa 2). Most of the mobile users are using 2G voice-based mobile technologies and terminals. One solution is next generation mobile broadband transformation. OFDMA provides broadband, offers enhanced services, paving way for greater economic activity, thus contributing to improvements in GDP. Developing countries will be able to gain such advantages with the implementation of broadband or OFDMA services.

Next generation mobile broadband transformation means moving existing mobile networks to next generation broadband mobile networks (all IP and OFDMA based), and moving users of voice-based mobile terminals - to broadband mobile internet devices for affordable broadband and internet services. Mobile broadband transformation will provide users in developing countries with cost effective broadband and internet services such as e-education, e-health, e-government, e-commerce, e-security and others.

As mobile network operators roll out mobile broadband services to more and more people, there is increased opportunity for governments to ensure that mobile phone ownership is translated into the ownership of a mobile broadband device. This means that services and applications available to users of the internet will be available to mobile phone users.

1 Mobile Money

The IMT industry has worked for a number of years to ensure e-banking services are made available to users of mobile phones. Two particular programmes – the Pay-Buy-Mobile3 initiative and the Mobile Money Transfer4 initiative are examples of this. Both are designed to replace traditional banking infrastructure.

Pay-Buy-Mobile uses the mobile phone network to allow the mobile consumer to pay for goods bought in shops by swiping their phone over a point-of-sale reader. This is thus a value proposition not just for the consumer or network operator, but for the shop retailer as well. Moreover, the provision of an instant banking network will reduce fraudulent use of credit cards.

Mobile Money Transfer, meanwhile, uses GSM technology to improve access to money transfers for a wider section of the global community. It allows those who do not have easy access to banking facilities to use their mobile phones to carry out simple e-banking tasks, benefiting both consumers and financial institutions.

2 mHealth

Two examples of using IMT technology in e-health applications are two trials – in Rwanda and Tanzania – of the Phones for Health scheme5. Phones for Health will allow health workers in the field to use a standard handset equipped with a downloadable application to enter health data. Once entered, the data is mapped and analysed by the system and immediately available to health authorities at multiple levels via the web. The system also supports SMS alerting and notification, and tools for communication and coordination with field staff.

d Economics of implementation of IMT-2000

All IP and OFDMA-based next generation mobile broadband technologies can provide cost-effective broadband and internet services.

Commercial IMT-2000 OFDMA-based products are available from many manufacturers. More than 60 companies are developing silicon and end user devices, in addition more than 40 companies developing products for infrastructure. It is forecasted that more than 1000 OFDMA based IMT-2000 products will undergo testing by 2011 by the WiMAX Forum alone6. Some of the operators in developing and developed

2 www.itu.int/ITU-D/ICTEYE/Indicators/Indicators.aspx3 http://www.gsmworld.com/our-work/programmes-and-initiatives/mobile-money/pay-buy-mobile/index.htm 4 http://www.gsmworld.com/our-work/programmes-and-initiatives/mobile-money/mobile-money-transfer/index.htm 5 http://www.gsmworld.com/documents/gsma_case_study_mhealth.pdf 6 http://www.wimaxforum.org/node/426

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countries have already started to offer OFDMA-based IMT-2000 services. Today we see many developed and developing countries investing to OFDMA-based IMT-2000 technologies. This clearly shows acceptance of OFDMA-based IMT-2000 technologies as advanced wireless broadband technologies and recognition of their cost advantage.

Existing 2G mobile operators in developing countries may choose to transition directly to OFDMA-based IMT-2000 technologies to benefit from the economic advantages they offer. The addition of an OFDMA-based mobile broadband data overlay network involves deployment of new base station line cards and clients as well as upgrades to the core network to support high amounts of IP (Internet Protocol) traffic. Therefore, mobile operators can co-locate OFDMA base station equipment in their existing 2G cell sites. In IMT-2000 OFDMA-based commercial deployments to date, a cell site re-use rate of 70% has been achieved.

The economic benefits of mobile networks to the countries in which they operate are well documented. For example, a recent UK study7 estimated that the net benefit to the UK economy of public mobile communications (predominantly GSM and IMT) was €31.6 Bn per annum, or over €500 per capita. This represented a growth in real terms of over 50% in the four years since 2002. A study commissioned by Cisco8 estimated that adoption of internet-based business solutions in the USA would result in cumulative revenue growth of €1,200 Bn and cost savings of over €400 Bn by 2010, equivalent to an increase in annual productivity growth of 0.43%.

In developing countries, research commissioned by Vodafone estimated that an increase in mobile penetration of 10 percentage points is likely to yield an improvement in national GDP of around 0.6% 9. In middle income countries, such as those of Latin America, increasing mobile penetration by 10% has been estimated to boost GDP growth by 0.3% per year.

As the benefits of mobile data networks take hold, there is growing interest in many developing countries on how these technologies can be harnessed to promote economic development. For example mobile applications can provide low cost financial transactions in areas that are remote from conventional banking facilities, and to access news and information services10. It has been estimated that the savings incurred by a user in rural Bangladesh from a mobile application, in terms of avoiding the need to travel to undertake a financial transaction, is as much as €7.711. Assuming that a typical user makes such a transaction at least once a month, this would imply an annual consumer surplus of up to €90.

e Market analysis – Economies of scale (including terminals)

Access to equipment that is mass-produced on a global scale is beneficial to all mobile phone users, as it allows research and development costs to be spread across as many users as possible, minimising per-unit production costs.

In order to ensure that their customers receive the most benefit from economies of scale, governments must ensure that they align themselves, both in terms of spectrum use and equipment standards, to international guidelines as provided by the ITU and other fora.

Business plans and services

The most important thing for operators to consider in the smooth transition from 2G to 3G mobile communications is to keep a good balance among following four elements - an advanced yet stable “Network Infrastructure”, “Mobile Terminals”, “Applications and Content” and reasonable “Pricing”.

7 “Economic impact of the use of radio spectrum in the UK”, report by Europe Economics for Ofcom, 2005 8 “Net Impact Study: Projected Economic Benefits of the Internet In the US, UK, France and Germany”, Varian. Litan, Elder and

Shutter, January 20029 Waverman, Meschi and Fuss, The Impact of Telecoms on Economic Growth in Developing Countries, Africa: The Impact of

Mobile Phones, Vodafone Policy Paper Series 2 (March 2005)10 For example, the UK British Broadcasting Corporation recently revealed that 87% of international traffic to its WAP site

originated in Africa11 see “Grameen Telecom's Village Phone Programme: A Multi-Media Case Study,

www.telecommons.com/villagephone/surplus.html

10 Question 18-1/2

The details of these four elements above are as followings.

1 Network Infrastructure

1-1 Evolution on mobile network infrastructure

Among the four elements above, the most basic one is smooth evolution on mobile network infrastructure.

1-2 Backward Compatibility

The evolution on infrastructure is very important. In order to upgrade the existing network without disruption and cost-effectively, one big point is that if the new system has a backward compatibility with existing lower system or not.

If the new system does not maintain what existing system has (such as cover area, quality of service and battery life time), it won’t be accepted by end users.

1-3 Data speed

With the progress of system evolution, the operators become possible to provide faster and faster services and this means that the operators can provide richer applications and content to their users with reasonable price.

1-4 Efficiency

With the evolution of the system, the more effective bit rate system makes it possible to provide cheaper services compared with the older system. Accordingly, the quality of service will be improved thus the number of users will be increased. To realize this, high efficiency (bps/Hz (Bandwidth)) of the system is very important.

1-5 Users’ needs

The important thing for users is not how the system is improved but how “the service” has been changed/upgraded with the new system. When users really feel “the improvement of service”, they appreciate it. They are interested in what kind of advanced services are going to be available next with higher data speed. In other words, they are not interested in the technological background so much.

2 Mobile terminals

The second element is the development of terminals. Mobile phone users now consider their terminal as a personal gateway, not just a handy telecommunications tool. Owing to their powerful specification and widespread usage, mobile terminals are expected to support various kinds of new services and applications.

2-1 High performance terminal

To enjoy the full sophisticated service, mobile terminals need to be high performance matching to the ones of Nerwork Infrastructure and new service applications/content.

2-2 Design of mobile terminals

When people select their mobile terminal, some choose a terminal just by design. To accommodate to users’ needs, it is more important for mobile operator to work together with the terminal manufacturers in developing phase of new mobile terminals.

2-3 Price of terminals

Providing the terminals at a low price is really a key to the fast spread of 3G mobile telecommunication service.

3 Applications and Content

The third element is applications and content.

It is essential to load attractive services on evolutional new system. Operators need to provide attractive services (applications and content) that match both market trends and users’ needs.

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But, no matter how the applications are attractive, the users are not satisfied with them nor will the demand grow, if the applications do not work smoothly. No matter how the customers want to enjoy the content, they do not try it again, if it is too expensive.

With the enhanced technologies and reasonable pricing, the attractive applications and content will be accepted by users and will become more and more popular to them.

Following are examples of application which have already been available.– Mail (attaching photo, video, map, )– Internet access– Photo, Video camera– Downloading of music, Music player function– Downloading of movie, Media player function– Downloading of book (novel / comic)– Game– FM radio, TV (one segment broadcasting)– News gathering– GPS (Global Positioning System), Navigation (car, pedestrian)– IC Card (e-shopping)– Banking– Entrance and access control

4 Pricing

The last element is pricing. This pricing strategy coupled with service developments is closely related to 3G mobile technologies. By continuously advancing the mobile network systems and expending effort to reduce the cost of data communication, the flat-rate pricing plans will be introduced where subscribers can enjoy rich content and applications within upper limit of the price.

The flat-rate plan for data services brings users a sense of ease for their payments and it causes increase in number of subscribers.

In order to accelerate 3G penetration, it is important to promote sales of terminals at first and to encourage subscribers in their continuous use. For that purpose, it is necessary to ensure an excellent balance among above mentioned four elements (“Network Infrastructure”, “Mobile Terminals”, “Applications and Content” and reasonable “Pricing”).

Once this ideal balance is realized, users start to use more and more. Mutual effects over these four elements will result in much more than four.

IV Information on the specific impact of the implementation of IMT-2000 on women, youth, indigenous people and people with disabilities

In some countries mobile communication services regulations are implemented to ensure that the benefits of mobile broadband are made available to underserved populations. The obligation to provide specific service plans, with reasonable prices, to people with special needs (hearing or speaking impairment) is included in operators’ licenses. Operators can meet their obligations by offering access plans focused on SMS (short-message service) and MMS (multimedia messaging service).Further examples of countries’ experiences using IMT technologies to reach underserved populations, such as people with disabilities are available in the case studies on the ITU website. See Section 8 below.

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V Information on the specific impact of the implementation of IMT-2000 on environmental issues

The environmental impact of mobile phone networks is being lessened every day by increasingly green technologies. One industry association’s Green Power for Mobile campaign aims not just to create greener mobile networks, but to allow mobile networks to exist in areas where power sources are either unreliable or non-existent, without the use of diesel generators12.

The Green Power for Mobile scheme encapsulates many of the objectives that Administrations in developing countries should be looking to achieve when considering regulations for their mobile operators. As a greener solution, with less environmental impact, this scheme will help reduce costs related to diesel purchase while allowing networks to spread further giving more people access to enhanced mobile services.

Additionally, research on the environmental and health impact of mobile and wireless communications is publicly available, and has been collated these together with various governmental and non-governmental research.13

VI Information on IMT-Advanced systems

ITU-R has commenced the process of developing ITU-R Recommendations for the terrestrial components of the IMT-Advanced radio interface(s). This work is guided by Resolution ITU-R 57.

Invitation for submission of proposals for candidate radio interface technologies for the terrestrial components of the radio interface(s) for IMT-Advanced and invitation to participate in their subsequent evaluation are deliberated in the Circular Letter 5/LCCE/2 and the addendums.

The first invitation for the submission of proposals for candidate radio interface technologies (RITs) or a set of RITs (SRITs) for the terrestrial components of IMT-Advanced was issued with Circular Letter 5/LCCE/2 on 7 March 2008. The Circular Letter initiated an ongoing process to evaluate the candidate RITs or SRITs for IMT-Advanced, and invited the formation of independent evaluation groups and the subsequent submission of evaluation reports on these candidate RITs or SRITs. On 13 August 2008, Addendum 1 to Circular Letter 5/LCCE/2 announced the availability of further information associated with the IMT-Advanced submission and evaluation process, including the three ITU-R Reports which providing details of the IMT-Advanced requirements, evaluation criteria and submission templates.

International Mobile Telecommunications-Advanced (IMT-Advanced) systems are mobile systems that include the new capabilities of IMT that go beyond those of IMT-2000. Such systems provide access to a wide range of telecommunication services including advanced mobile services, supported by mobile and fixed networks, which are increasingly packet-based.

IMT-Advanced systems support low to high mobility applications and a wide range of data rates in accordance with user and service demands in multiple user environments. IMT-Advanced also has capabilities for high-quality multimedia applications within a wide range of services and platforms providing a significant improvement in performance and quality of service.

The key features of IMT-Advanced are:– a high degree of commonality of functionality worldwide while retaining the flexibility to support a

wide range of services and applications in a cost efficient manner;– compatibility of services within IMT and with fixed networks;– capability of interworking with other radio access systems;– high quality mobile services;– user equipment suitable for worldwide use;– user-friendly applications, services and equipment;– worldwide roaming capability; and,

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– enhanced peak data rates to support advanced services and applications (100 Mbit/s for high and 1 Gbit/s for low mobility were established as targets for research).

In the document IMT-ADV/2 Rev.1, there is description in detail about the processes and activities identified for the development of the IMT-Advanced terrestrial components radio interface Recommendations.

The main deliverables on IMT-Advanced are listed below for reference:• Circular Letter 5/LCCE/2 and Addendums 1 and 2 • IMT-ADV/2 Rev.1• Report ITU-R M.2133• Report ITU-R M.2134• Report ITU-R M.2135.

VII Countries’ experiences (http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/Links/CaseStudies.html)a. Thailand (Doc. 27)b. China Qualcomm (Doc. 30)c. Bangladesh (Doc. 31)d. CDG Case studies (Doc. 35) – Qualcomm to ask CDG to re-submit the four included case studies

for websitee. http://www.wimaxforum.org/resources/documents (Doc. 36)f. Portugal (Doc. 40)