Until recently, mobile networks expanded horizontally through the deployment of additional macro cells in order to improve indoor coverage and reach obstructed areas. However, the new wave of expansion is orthogonal and aims at providing additional capacity in already covered areas through the deployment of small cells and Wi-Fi. These access technologies add capacity to existing networks in ways that are both complementary and yet sufficiently distinct in that it is not possible to substitute one for the other across the wireless footprint. Industry experts share their views on the trends in access technologies, the current status of small cell deployment and the key challenges in rolling out heterogeneous networks in the country…

How have operators strengthened their acc­ess networks over the years and what have been the key access technologies deployed by them?

Sameer Dave, Chief Technology Officer, Aircel

 

Sameer Dave

Operators are adapting to the new normal, which is perpetual data growth across all segments. To cater to the increased capacity requirements, operators are adopting new transport solutions, adding new features to achieve higher spectrum efficiency and improving coverage by deploying stand-alone 3G sites. For existing 2G and 3G sites, operators are implementing new software features and in parallel adding new long term evolution (LTE) bearers (where licensing permits).

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-based LTE has been a real success in terms of maximising throughput within the given spectrum. The good part is that LTE can be deployed in various spectrum bands starting from 1.4 MHz to 20 MHz. This suits most operators that have current 2G operations and want to follow a step-by-step approach to move up the ladder for LTE deployment. This also builds a case for full 20 MHz deployment in the TD-LTE space starting from narrowband LTE.

Hemant Joshi

Hemant Joshi, TMT India Leader, Deloitte India

The telecom sector has seen the emergence of various access technologies since the inception of data-based services. While POTS (plain old telephone service) technology offered manual voice as the only option, ISDN (integrated services digital network) technology  provided both data and voice options with a speed of 64 kbps. The demand for data has resulted in the emergence of technologies such as co-axial cable and fibre optic, and wireless access has brought high speed services like 2G, HSPDA (high speed downlink packet access), 3G, Wi-Max, Wi-Fi and LTE.

What is the status of small cells deployment in India? What will be the key growth drivers going forward?

Sameer Dave

Perpetual data traffic in hotspots will be the key growth driver for small cells deployment. Small cells provide a viable solution to meet the ever-increasing de­mand for mobile data capacity. Current­ly, macro sites are unable to fulfil the coverage/capacity requirement and it is imperative to think beyond the traditional macro deployment mindset to reach out to more customers. For example, in Delhi, operators have combined synergies to tie up with a single service provider to offer small cells on electric poles in the New Delhi Municipal Corporation area.

“HetNet 2.0 provides a good fit for future-ready networks. True seamless interworking between various access technologies is the key to HetNet deployment.” Sameer Dave

Hemant Joshi

With the rapid rise in over-the-top services and internet of things (IoT) devices, it is expected that there will be 20 billion connected devices by 2020. This increased demand would require the deployment of  heterogeneous networks (HetNets) to ensure a better customer experience. Wi-Fi offloading and small cells will play a major role here. A mismatch between network capacity and load, which leads to call drop and quality of service (QoS) issues, can be addressed through the deployment of small cells for smooth traffic flow. Re­cent­ly, an operator has deployed 150,000 small cells in India. Other operators are also planning to deploy small cells on street light poles to minimise call drops.

The key growth drivers for small cells deployment in India are:

  • Lower capital expenditure
  • Rising smartphone adoption
  • Increasing teledensity in urban areas
  • Rise in data-based services
  • Lack of infrastructure in rural areas.

“HetNets can efficiently use the network capacity and connect more subscribers to the network, thereby resolving the call drop problem. It could also improve the QoS.” Hemant Joshi

What are the key considerations for an operator when deciding on a data offload strategy?

Sameer Dave

There are three key considerations for an operator when deciding on a data offload strategy. These are:

  • Spectrum limitation in hotspots and high consumption density in urban areas
  • In-building penetration
  • Technology enablement for seamless call transfers.

The complexity of single authentication/billing solutions and proprietary deployments acts as a bottleneck for data offloading. However, new ecosystems are developing with the release of 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) guidelines and increasing GSM synergies with access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) and access network query protocol (ANQP). This will compel operators to utilise more accessible Wi-Fi infrastructure.

Hemant Joshi

Wi-Fi offloading and HetNets are efficient ways of providing access to subscribers for better QoS. However, operators also need to consider the following factors that necessitate the implementation of small cells:

  • The capacity of base station versus peak Wi-Fi traffic
  • The economies of scale (capital requirement versus return on investment)
  • Security of subscriber data
  • Billing of data usage
  • Backhaul capacity
  • Interference

What are the main benefits of HetNet deployment? What is the current level of adoption of such solutions in India and what are the key challenges?

Sameer Dave

HetNet 2.0 provides a good fit for future-ready networks. True seamless interworking between various access technologies is the key to HetNet deployment. Opera­tors are still at early stages of trial for HetNets. Interoperability between various access technologies and single au­then­­­tication, authorisation and ac­coun­ting are some of the key challenges to adoption.

Hemant Joshi

HetNets can efficiently use the network capacity and connect more subscribers to the network, thereby resolving the call drop problem. It could also improve the QoS as well as high data throughput in the backhaul. Although it is still in the initial phase of implementation, the adoption rate is encouraging. Some major operators have started large-scale implementation for better network coverage. The global market for small cells is expected to grow from $1.06 billion in 2015 to $3.92 billion by 2020, at a compound annual growth rate of 29.8 per cent. India being a big tele­­­com market will make a significant contribution towards growth.

There are many challenges in the deployment of HetNet in India. For one, economies of scale is a key challenge as operators may shy away from nationwide implementation considering the financial burden and capital cost in this low-ARPU market. Security is another challenge as multiple vendors and devices will be involved in the deployment of public Wi-Fi hotspots. In addition, right of way needs attention. Interference, handover and interoperating capabilities between the technologies are some of the other challenges that need to be considered.