© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 2
Executive summary
Long-term evolution (LTE) is the first mobile technology that enables mobile operators to change how they manage
their network and spectrum from an approach that involves individual silos to one that gives them the benefit of
integrated single-technology networks. Rolling out LTE is becoming increasingly necessary as users’ appetite for
higher-speed services and applications grows, and the consumption of asymmetric data booms. We expect much of
this growth to come from use of LTE devices, especially smartphones and tablets.
The capacity to support mobile data growth will be supported by paired spectrum LTE (FD-LTE) and unpaired
spectrum LTE (TD-LTE). TD-LTE is much more suitable for delivering superfast mobile broadband, due to the
availability of larger channel sizes, a greater abundance of spectrum in different bands when compared to FD-LTE,
and TD-LTE spectrum is usually available at a lower cost. Operators are beginning to realise the benefits of TD-LTE;
at the end of September 2014, 40 TD-LTE networks had been deployed worldwide, by operators such as Sprint
(USA), Optus (Australia) and Bharti Airtel (India). TD-LTE also supports the carrier aggregation (CA) feature of
LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), whereby bandwidth from different frequency bands can be combined in order to create
larger channels of up to 100MHz.
Combining TD-LTE with FD-LTE as ‘One LTE’ enables operators to manage network resources more efficiently, by
switching dual-mode devices from one network technology to another, matching resources to user data needs. This
means operators can avoid network congestion and maximise users’ quality of experience (QoE).
Today, nearly one third of operators which have deployed TD-LTE networks have also deployed FD-LTE, and we
expect this proportion to increase. We expect more operators to deploy TD-LTE and One LTE networks, which can
deliver speeds well above 150Mbit/s; in fact some operators are already offering speeds in excess of 200Mbit/s, with
roadmaps in place to offer more than 1Gbit/s. Device manufacturers are continuing to expand the number and range
of devices which support TD-LTE and One LTE, providing the strong ecosystem that operators need to address the
varied requirements of the global mobile economy.
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 3
Defining TD-LTE
LTE is the first true mobile broadband technology to be deployed widely on a commercial basis. Its arrival is helping
to drive an explosion of mobile traffic, stimulated in part by unprecedented growth in the number and types of mobile
devices that use mobile broadband data. There are two LTE technologies that can support the delivery of mobile
broadband services – FD-LTE and TD-LTE.
For the most part, mobile operators have deployed FD-LTE networks, because this technology uses the ‘paired
spectrum’ common in most 2G and 3G networks, as voice usage is rather symmetric. TD-LTE uses an unpaired
‘single-channel’ band, with uplink and downlink channels that can be configured asymmetrically and are separated by
time (see Figure 1), whereas FD-LTE channels are separated by frequency.
Figure 1: FD-LTE and TD-LTE duplexing schemes [Source: Analysys Mason, 2014]
TD using unpaired spectrum
Time
Time
FD using paired spectrum
TD
guard
period
FD duplex gap
Frequency
Uplink/downlink ratio of 1:1
Frequency
Uplink/downlink ratio of 1:N
The increasing use of LTE devices will drive traffic and a need for speed
Analysys Mason anticipates that worldwide wireless network traffic will grow at a compound annual growth rate
1
(CAGR) of 42.6% from 2013–2018. This growth is driven by the increasing adoption of devices that support mobile
broadband (including smartphones and tablets), and the growing use of bandwidth-hungry applications by users.
Analysys Mason forecasts that 20% of mobile connections worldwide will use LTE networks by 2018, and 80% of
2
wireless traffic will be generated these devices. The number of LTE connections and the traffic generated by them
will vary considerably by region. In developed Asia–Pacific countries and North America, over 60% of devices will
support LTE, and over 90% of traffic will be generated by these devices. This means that operators in many countries
will have to consider how best to support bandwidth-hungry LTE users.
There are many inter-related reasons why wireless traffic is rising, such as the increasing use and penetration of
mobile devices due to the greater affordability of devices and mobile data plans. The LTE technology by which users
can access mobile broadband services has also stimulated the development of bandwidth-hungry applications. For
example, the use of smartphones and tablets to access streaming services, including TV and video on demand (VoD),
and other applications that consume large amounts of bandwidth, is driving wireless traffic growth (see Figure 2).
Applications such as VoIP, basic video and music streaming may only require 0.75Mbit/s for download, but multi1
2
Wireless network traffic worldwide: forecasts and analysis 2013–2018, Analysys Mason.
LTE worldwide outlook: technology, devices, services and pricing, and deployment forecasts 2013–2018, Analysys Mason.
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 4
player gaming (up to 2.5Mbit/s) and high-definition (HD) video (up to 5Mbit/s) require far more bandwidth to ensure
end users receive a high QoE.
Figure 2:
100%
9%
Smartphone
14%
respondents’ self80%
reported mobile data
26%
usage by TV and
36%
60%
>10GB
31%
1–10GB
mobile [Source:
Analysys Mason,
3
2013]
<1GB
40%
20%
video service use on
28%
Unsure
34%
23%
0%
All smartphone
respondents
TV & video app users
Operators need to find additional suitable spectrum to fulfil user
The cost of providing additional mobile coverage is a key concern for most operators, including the cost of spectrum.
Traditional voice-oriented networks focused on coverage for voice users on circuit-switched connections. These
networks typically used ‘low-order’ spectrum (sub-1GHz) to deliver wide-area coverage, in-building penetration and
minimise overall deployment cost. Channel sizes have usually been in the 5–10MHz range, which is sufficient for
supporting voice-based communications. However, the rapid growth of superfast mobile broadband services means
that larger channel sizes, up to 100MHz or more, are now needed to deliver the capacity and throughput that are
required.
In order to acquire the spectrum assets they need to meet those channel sizes, operators are being forced to look to
unpaired spectrum in higher-frequency bands. The good news for operators is that although higher bands deliver
reduced coverage area, they are often available significantly more cheaply than spectrum in lower bands, and usually
in much larger channel sizes.
Some operators can use TD spectrum to reduce data delivery costs
There is a huge disparity in cost between lower-range spectrum (sub-1GHz) and higher-range spectrum, particularly
in Western Europe, as illustrated in Figure 3.
3
The Connected Consumer Survey 2013: smartphones, mobile data access and monetisation, Analysys Mason.
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 5
Figure 3: Weighted average cost of spectrum in the 800MHz and 2.6GHz bands at selected auctions (excludes
combinatorial clock auctions [Source: Analysys Mason, 2014]
4
1.8
1.6
USD/Hz/pop
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
800MHz
2600MHz
Historically, the prices per Hz/pop for high-frequency spectrum (for example, 2.6GHz) have tended to be lower than
those for the high-coverage lower frequencies (for example, 800MHz). Worldwide, high frequencies tend to come in
larger blocks, and a number of high-frequency bands look likely to be opened up for a mix of licensed, licensed
shared access (LSA) or unlicensed mobile broadband uses.
Refarming and new spectrum releases are making more TD bandwidth available
Most refarming allocations suitable for TD-LTE have been taking place in the sub-2GHz bands, although spectrum
bands do vary from country to country. Spectrum in the 1.9/2.3/2.6/3.5GHz bands is already being refarmed in some
markets. In some (mainly emerging) markets, 450MHz may be used for TD-LTE, although LTE in this band is not
yet standardised. The total of 330MHz of bandwidth that is being refarmed from FD in Europe (see Figure 4 below)
will not be enough to support the delivery of high-bandwidth applications by 2018, and we expect that refarmed
spectrum will need to be paired with other spectrum bands and TD spectrum to meet the shortfall.
Figure 4: Expected FD spectrum refarming in Europe, 2013 to 2018 [Source: Wireless Traffic Forecast, Analysys
5
Mason, October 2013]
2013
900MHz
2G
1800MHz
2G
2018
3G
4G
70MHz
140MHz
4G
2100MHz
4
5
3G
Spectrum auction tracker 3Q 2014, Analysys Mason.
FD bandwidth includes uplink and downlink
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
120MHz
4G
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 6
New releases of spectrum suitable for supporting TD-LTE will vary from one region to another. Most will be in
higher (over-2.1GHz) frequency bands; although in some countries (notably Europe, China and Argentina) 700MHz
spectrum is expected to become available over the next five to six years.
Operators may also be able to expand TD-LTE capacity to meet the traffic demands by integrating numerous
unlicensed bands, particularly spectrum in the unpaired 5GHz band, into existing LTE networks – referred to as LTEU or U-LTE. U-LTE is currently being discussed within the 3GPP, and development efforts have been proposed by
Huawei, Nokia, Qualcomm, Sony and other vendors. The opportunity to use unlicensed spectrum as a secondary
carrier, alongside a primary carrier in a licensed band, would both increase the available bandwidth for user needs
(via the unlicensed carrier) and ensure proper signalling and control delivery.
U-LTE will need to overcome a number of technical changes in order to co-exist with 802.11 ac (Wi-Fi) in the 5GHz
band, including supporting ‘listen before talk’ (whereby a cell listens for a carrier from another cell before trying to
transmit). To enable macro and small cells to interwork when small cells use unlicensed spectrum, new CA
6
mechanisms will be needed; these are known as Licensed-Assisted Accessing, and are being considered by 3GPP. It
is possible that U-LTE could be addressed in LTE Release 12, which would coincide with support for LTE-A CA
among a number of small-cell vendors.
There are a number of other drivers of high-speed mobile broadband
National and international broadband initiatives are driving speeds and bandwidths
Many countries and international organisations have policies in place to promote the roll-out of broadband
infrastructure and encourage take-up. These projects need a mix of fixed and wireless infrastructure to fulfil their
coverage requirements, while delivering minimum specified speeds and providing sufficient bandwidth. In the
European Union (EU), for example, the European Commission’s Digital Agenda for Europe initiative has a target
that, by 2020, all EU citizens should have access to the Internet at speeds above 30Mbit/s, and 50% or more of EU
7
households should have subscriptions above 100Mbit/s. In Australia, meanwhile, wireless technology is being used
to facilitate broadband availability, particularly in rural locations, with TD-LTE being used as part of the National
8
Broadband Network (NBN) roll-out.
The ITU is making additional bands available that are suitable for mobile broadband services
There are also global initiatives, such as the ITU’s World Radio Congress, which look to ratify global standards for
spectrum availability and increase the spectrum available for commercial use. The next meeting will be held in 2015
(WRC-15), and is expected to focus on additional bands of spectrum that can support TD-LTE, notably in the 2.7–
2.9GHz and the 3.8–4.2GHz ranges – ideal for dense cellular usage to add capacity while minimising radio
interference.
6
7
8
See http://www.3gpp.org/news-events/3gpp-news/1603-lte_in_unlicensed
See http://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/our-goals/pillar-iv-fast-and-ultra-fast-internet-access
NBN Co’s decision to include TD-LTE in its network was questioned by some industry stakeholders. In Analysys Mason’s
opinion, NBN’s decision to deploy TD-LTE was efficient and prudent; see http://www.nbnco.com.au/assets/documents/ac/analysys-mason-final-design-report-02-mar-2012.pdf
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 7
TD-LTE is the answer for superfast mobile broadband service
Benefits of using TD-LTE
Most mobile data users download more data than they upload, our research shows that an average ratio for download
to upload of about 7:1. TD-LTE makes it easier for operators to manage their network and spectrum assets to fulfil
users’ download, speed and bandwidth needs. As discussed below, this is because TD-LTE spectrum is available in
large channel sizes, it can aggregate unpaired spectrum from different bands, it supports overlay networks and small
cells, and it can be combined with FD-LTE to enable operators to better manage their network assets.
Larger bandwidths
One advantage that unpaired spectrum has over paired spectrum is that it typically offers more bandwidth, which
means operators can support more bandwidth-hungry applications and end users. Unpaired bands have an average
9
bandwidth of 88.3MHz, compared to 68.2MHz for paired bands.
The bands which offer the largest contiguous bands of unpaired spectrum (assuming no assignments have already
been made in the space) are 1.9GHz, 2.3GHz (100MHz) and Band 41 2.6GHz (1900MHz). Band 42 (3.4–3.6GHz)
and band 43 (3.6–3.8GHz) each offer 200MHz of contiguous unpaired spectrum that is suitable for TD-LTE.
Carrier aggregation
Carrier aggregation (CA) enables operators to combine different spectrum bands into a single, larger channel that
supports faster data speeds and delivers more capacity to users. The opportunity to combine spectrum from several
10
bands enables operators to make more efficient use of their network and spectrum resources.
TD-LTE networks are ideally suited to CA, as the unpaired spectrum held by many operators already provides bands
that are larger than 20MHz. For example, Australian operator Optus achieved maximum download speeds of
520Mbit/s on its 2300MHz TD-LTE network, by combining four 20MHz channels into an 80MHz aggregation using
its Huawei-supplied radio access network (RAN) equipment. US operator Sprint has managed to break the gigabit
barrier when it used its TD-LTE spectrum to reach speeds of 2.6Gbit/s in a February 2014 demonstration and has a
roadmap to deliver 300Mbit/s service using Cat 7 devices in the 2015-2016 timeframe.
LTE-A CA is being commercial by the major infrastructure vendors, including Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Huawei and
NSN. As shown in Figure 5, speeds demonstrated on live, test and demo these commercial CA networks runs of CA
ranged from 150Mbit/s to around 225Mbit/ for two-carrier aggregation.FD-LTE and TD-LTE CA.
As of July 2014, nine commercial CA networks had been launched globally, three of which involved TD spectrum
(Optus (Australia), STC (Saudi Arabia) and CMCC (China)). Analysys Mason expects that more than 30 networks
worldwide will have commercial CA by the end of 2014, with more to follow when interband CA (supporting threeand four-channel aggregation) becomes available from the end of the year. Analysys Mason believes that, by 2018, up
to 25% of all LTE-A networks will use TD bandwidth to maximise wireless service competitiveness. For instance, in
Japan SoftBank has run a trial which achieved 1Gbit/s in the Ginza district of Tokyo, based on 80MHz of spectrum in
the 3.5GHz band, and using 4×4MIMO and 256QAM high-modulation techniques provided by Huawei.
9
10
The average TDD E-UTRA bandwidth allocation for bands 33 to 44 is 88.3MHz, while the average FDD E-UTRA bandwidth
allocation for bands 1 to 30 (excluding 6, 15 and 16) is 66.2MHz.
This has been enabled by 3GPP’s support of carrier aggregation, which was included as part of LTE Release 10 and is
expanded in Release 11 and 12. See http://www.3gpp.org/technologies/keywords-acronyms/97-lte-advanced
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 8
Figure 5: Speed results from selected operators’ commercial LTE-A carrier aggregation [Source: operator and vendor
public announcements, GSA, January to June 2014]
Country
Operator
Frequency: spectrum band (channel size, MHz)
Maximum download
speeds (Mbit/s)
Australia
Optus
TD CA: 2.3GHz (20) + 2.3GHz (20)
220
China
China Mobile
(CMCC)
TD CA: Indoor: 2.3GHz (20) + 2.3GHz (20)
Korea
KT
FD CA: 1.8GHz (30) + 900MHz (10)
150 expected
Korea
LGU+
FD CA: 850MHz (20) + 2.1GHz (20)
225 expected
Korea
SKT
FD CA: 1.8GHz (10) + 850MHz (10)
150 expected
Saudi
Arabia
STC
USA
AT&T
FD CA: AWS (1.7GHz (40), 2.1GHz (30)) +
700MHz (12)
Not announced
USA
Sprint
TD CA: 2.6GHz (20) + 2.6GHz (20)
100*
TD CA: Outdoor: 2.6GHz (20) + 2.6GHz (20)
TD CA: 2.3GHz (20) + 2.3GHz (20)
223
225 expected
*up to 300Mbits by 2016 using 3 channel CA and Cat 7 devices.
Supporting overlay networks and small cells
When mobile operators first designed and deployed networks, their primary considerations were to deliver voice
services to as wide a coverage area as possible, including in-building coverage. As a result, low-frequency spectrum
(sub-1GHz) was very valuable, since it propagates further and provides better penetration of buildings than higherfrequency spectrum (above 2GHz).
Today, many operators are deploying multi-band LTE networks, to combine the advantages of low- and higherfrequency spectrum, either using an overlay approach where TD-LTE is added to an existing network or through the
addition of small cells. For example, some LTE networks are now utilising lower-frequency spectrum, usually in the
700–800MHz range, to provide a ‘coverage’ layer with in-building penetration capabilities, along with prime-band
spectrum (usually refarmed spectrum such as 1800MHz) and wide-band spectrum (above 2GHz) to add a ‘capacity’
layer.
The use of mobile data in dense locations (such as train stations, public squares, shopping malls and stadia) is
growing, and operators are having to decide how best to support this requirement. Macro cells provide efficient,
large-capacity coverage, but extremely high-density locations overload even macro-cell networks. The roll-out of
small cells is part of the solution, which involves combining the use of TD-LTE to deliver coverage in dense locations
and FD-LTE to provide wide-area coverage.
Small cells experience interference problems when using low-band spectrum, and diminished range when using highband spectrum. Higher-frequency small cells require less mitigation against radio interference than lower-frequency
systems. Where desired, multi-frequency small cells (expected to arrive in volume from 2015 onwards) can operate
using the same low-frequency ‘coverage’ spectrum as the macro network to facilitate voice call handover, while using
‘capacity’ spectrum in the higher frequency ranges to deliver the superfast mobile broadband speeds that users
increasingly require.
A key benefit of TD-LTE operating in spectrum above 2GHz is the shorter propagation distances over which the
signal can be carried at these frequencies. While high-frequency propagation is a problem in macro-cell networks, this
‘shortcoming’ is actually a strength when used in small-cell networks. The shorter propagation distances reduce the
interference between small cells, which simplifies radio planning and minimises the need for ongoing monitoring and
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 9
management. Spectrum above 2GHz, particularly in the 3GHz bands, is ideally suited to small-cell networks –
providing dense area coverage and significant capacity for superfast mobile broadband services.
One LTE: TD-/FD-LTE interworking delivers further benefits to operators
By combining FD-LTE and TD-LTE networks, operators can manage their spectrum assets more effectively than
when using only FD-LTE. Although FD-LTE has a spectral efficiency advantage of 2% to 3% over TD-LTE (due to
TD-LTE’s timing requirement when switching from uplink to downlink), TD-LTE’s ability to change the timeslot
ratio between downlink and uplink gives operators a throughput advantage of up to 30% for asymmetric applications.
The concept of One LTE is that operators with both FD and TD spectrum can utilise the strengths of each technology
to deliver enhanced network performance and higher network capacity than is available from either technology on its
own. One LTE facilitates interworking between the two types of LTE network, and is becoming increasingly
important as operators deploy both TD-LTE and FD-LTE technologies to maximise their use of spectrum resources.
One LTE provides operators with an opportunity to route heavy mobile broadband users to TD-LTE and lighter users
to FD-LTE. This means that operators can segment end users based on mobile data use, which has the benefits of
enhancing users’ QoE and making efficient use of the TD-/FD-LTE networks. We expect that operators will initially
run the two networks in parallel, with the goal of interworking the networks seamlessly once One LTE standards are
established.
One LTE networks can also benefit operators that have primarily low-frequency spectrum, by providing a way to
integrate less expensive, generally more easily available bandwidth at high frequencies and so increase their network
capacity. In the USA, Sprint has the least low-frequency (FD-compatible) spectrum among the top-four national
operators, which in the long term could put it at a competitive disadvantage in terms of speed. However, Sprint has
been able to create a dual TD-/FD-LTE service to take advantage of its leading position in TD-compatible spectrum
(as shown in Figure 6) and provide at least comparable, if not market-leading, high-speed mobile broadband services.
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 10
Figure 6: FD and TD
140
spectrum holdings for
the four leading
120
operators in the USA
[Source: Analysys
MHz of bandwidth
100
Mason, 2014]
11
80
60
40
20
0
Verizon
AT&T
FD
Sprint
T-Mobile USA
TD
Dual TD-/FD-LTE networks are becoming increasingly popular among operators: according to the GSA, 13 of the 40
commercially launched TD-LTE networks at the end of September 2014 were dual-mode TD-/FD-LTE networks
(Figure 7 provides an illustration of the number of TD-LTE deployments and trials).
Figure 7: TD-LTE network deployments worldwide [Source: GSA, Analysys Mason, September 2014]
Operational TD-LTE network
TD-LTE network planned or in deployment
TD-LTE trials or studies
We expect the deployment of One LTE networks to occur in phases as TD-LTE and FD-LTE networks continue to be
deployed, device support for TD-LTE networks expands, and equipment vendors integrate the two technologies into
their network equipment.
To date operators have deployed 13 TD-/FD-LTE networks in parallel The integration of FD-LTE and TD-LTE
support into common network equipment and terminals, such as Evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), smartphones, tablets,
routers and personal hotspots has also begun. FD-LTE and TD-LTE technology support on user devices will enable
operators to start tailoring services to the appropriate access network using whichever LTE technology provides the
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 11
best QoE, offering even faster mobile broadband. Interworking between FD-LTE and TD-LTE, including intertechnology CA, to support seamless interoperation between the two technologies and the maximum utilisation of
spectrum is expected in 2015 (as shown in Figure 8).
Figure 8: Evolution of One LTE [Source: Analysys Mason, 2014]
Overlay FDLTE and TDLTE
2011
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
Converged FDLTE and TDLTE networks
2013
FD-LTE and
TD-LTE CA
2015
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 12
TD-LTE deployments
Most operators that have deployed TD-LTE have done so to deliver superfast mobile broadband to users and enhance
their QoE, as illustrated in the three case studies below.
Sprint, USA
12
Sprint is using TD-LTE to increase the download speeds it can offer to end users in dense locations, and so improve
their QoE when using bandwidth-hungry applications. The ‘Sprint Spark’ network already offers users up to
60Mbit/s, and is capable of supporting faster speeds. NSN, Sprint’s network vendor, demonstrated that the TD-LTE
network is capable of supporting up to 1.3Gbit/s in the downlink. The commercial operating network combines FDLTE at 800MHz and 1.9GHz with TD-LTE at 2.5GHz (band 41, referred to globally as 2.6GHz), which means Sprint
can move users among the three spectrum bands to deliver superfast mobile broadband.
Optus, Australia
13
Optus deployed its first TD-LTE network in June 2013 across 13 sites in Canberra, supporting FD-LTE at 1800MHz
and TD-LTE at 2.3GHz on dual-band devices. The acquisition of Vivid Wireless in 2012 provided Optus with
98MHz of spectrum at 2.3GHz; this, combined with its existing spectrum in the 1800MHz band, formed the basis of
Optus’s strategy to enhance QoE for mobile data users.
The TD-/FD-LTE service has since been rolled out to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, enabling Optus to
minimise congestion on its FD-LTE network. Optus will combine 10MHz of paired spectrum in the 700MHz band
and 20MHz of paired spectrum in the 2.5GHz band to support mobile broadband services with commercial speeds of
up to 220Mbit/s.
Bharti Airtel, India
14
Bharti Airtel launched its 4G service in key cities like Bangalore and Kolkata in April 2012, using TD-LTE in the
2.3GHz band. It was the first operator in India to offer 4G. The purpose of launching an LTE service was to provide
mobile broadband speeds that were not available to end users over other networks, and to enable the use of
applications and content that require high-speed data.
Vendor support for TD-LTE devices is increasing rapidly
For operators to deploy TD-LTE networks, they need support from device vendors. In this section we discuss the
number of TD-LTE and dual-mode TD-/FD-LTE that are available in the market and how vendors’ support for
TD-LTE continues to grow, thus strengthening the value of TD-LTE networks.
12
13
14
See http://nsn.com/news-events/press-room/press-releases/nokia-siemens-networks-sets-td-lte-speed-record-goes-beyond4g-1gbperday, http://nsn.com/news-events/press-room/press-releases/mobile-broadband-ace-nsn-wins-sprint-deal-for-largescale-TD-lte-roll-out and http://newsroom.sprint.com/presskits/sprint-spark.htm
See http://www.huawei.com/au/about-huawei/newsroom/press-release/hw-319788-optuscarrieraggregation4gmelbournetdlte.htm,
https://www.optus.com.au/aboutoptus/About+Optus/Media+Centre/Media+Releases/2012/Optus+to+build+faster+4G+network
+with+acquisition+of+Vividwireless, https://media.optus.com.au/media-releases/2013/canberra-first-with-new-optus-superfastmobile-network/, https://media.optus.com.au/media-releases/2013/optus-introduces-worlds-first-td-lte-advanced-carrieraggregation-network/
See http://www.airtel.in/about-bharti/media-centre/bharti-airtel-news/mobile/kolkata-to-now-experience-the-fastest-internet-onthe-move-with-airtel-4g
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 13
TD-LTE devices
Device availability is a significant consideration for operators when deploying mobile networks. FD-LTE has been the
technology of choice for operators since LTE deployment first began, in part due to the fact that a large number of
vendors provide support for FD-LTE. However, many vendors increased their support for TD-LTE in the first half of
2014, leading to a doubling in the number of devices available. As of July 2014, The Global mobile Suppliers
15
Association (GSA) counted 1889 LTE devices from 168 suppliers, including 530 devices supporting TD-LTE. There
are 361 TD-LTE devices in the 2.3GHz band 40, 360 in the 2.6GHz band 38, and 203 in the 1.9GHz band 39 (noting
that some devices support multiple bands).
Operators in around 20 countries have also made commercial launches of LTE-A networks that support Cat 4 devices,
which have a peak downlink rate of up to 150Mbit/s. In July 2014 a total of 87 user devices supported Cat 4. LTE-A
networks will require Cat 6 devices that are capable of supporting network speeds in excess of 300Mbit/s. These devices
are starting to enter the market and there is likely to be an expansion of the types of device available by the end of 2014.
16
At the end of July 2014, a total of 12 Cat 6 user devices were available.
As of July 2014, three times as many routers as phones were available that supported TD-LTE. Figure 9 below
illustrates how the number of routers dominates the number of TD-LTE devices. This is because demand for routers
from fixed wireless access (FWA) operators generated TD-LTE sales opportunities for vendors. However, vendors
have now begun to turn their attention to TD-LTE devices that support mobility, and the number has increased
rapidly. Between November 2013 and July 2014, the number of TD-LTE capable mobile handsets grew by 328% to
185, and the number of tablets rose by 200% to 24 devices.
Figure 9: Worldwide TD-LTE device availability, November 2012 to July 2014 [Source: GSA, July 2014]
225
200
Number of devices
175
150
125
100
75
50
25
0
Femtocells
Tablets
Nov-12
Mar-13
Modules
Jul-13
Handsets
Nov-13
USB modems
Mar-14
Routers
Jul-14
In July 2014, TD-LTE handsets accounted for over 20% of all LTE handsets, up from only 7.9% in November 2012
(see Figure 10). Support for TD-LTE among tablets has followed a similar trend.
15
16
Status of the LTE Ecosystem, GSA; see http://www.gsacom.com/gambod/index.php4
See http://www.gsacom.com/news/gsa_392.php
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 14
Figure 10: TD-LTE devices as a proportion of total LTE devices, November 2012 to July 2014 [Source: GSA, July
2014]
25%
Proportion of LTE devices (%)
22.2%
20%
18.4%
15%
10%
5%
13.7%
13.6%
9.5%8.6%
7.9%
6.9%
4.0%
6.3%6.6%
4.5%
0%
Nov-12
Mar-13
Jul-13
Nov-13
Handsets
Mar-14
Jul-14
Tablets
Figure 11 shows that support for TD-LTE is not restricted to a small number of vendors. In July 2014, Apple, Samsung,
Huawei, ZTE, LG and HTC each offered more than ten multimode multiband handsets with support for TD-LTE. Vendors
have also released tablets that support TD-LTE, including Apple, Samsung, Huawei and Yulong Computer (see Figure 12).
The emergence of support for TD-LTE among major handset and tablet brands should help to give mobile operators
confidence that TD-LTE has matured and is ready to be deployed in their networks.
Figure 11: TD-LTE handset availability by vendor,
17
July 2014 [Source: GSA, July 2014]
July 2014 [Source: GSA, July 2014]
Samsung
Yulong Computer
Huawei
Huawei
ZTE
Samsung
LG
Apple
HTC
Navtech
Oppo
LG
Lenovo
Sony Mobile
Sony Mobile
BBK Electronics
Hisense
Innofidei
Maysunm
Quanta Computer
TCL
Acer
Yulong Computer
Asus
Others
FIC
0
17
Figure 12: TD-LTE tablet availability by vendor,
10
20
30
40
Number of handsets
0
2
4
6
Number of tablets
‘Others’ includes Apple, BBK Electronics, GiONEE, Koobee, K-Touch, Navtech, Nokia, Sharp, Uniscope.
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
8
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 15
Multi-mode TD-/FD-LTE
Operators are unlikely to want to deploy single-mode devices. As discussed, dual TD-/FD-LTE networks give them
the opportunity to enhance end users’ mobile data QoE, as well as optimise the efficiency of radio resources.
Operators are working with the major device manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, HTC, Huawei and others to
expand the availability of multi-mode TD-/FD-LTE devices.
Support for multi-mode TD-/FD-LTE chipsets from Qualcomm and other chipset vendors and TD-/FD-LTE devices
from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will assist in the take-up of TD-LTE by operators. Figure 13
summarises the availability of TD-/FD-LTE multi-mode devices in July 2014. To maximise take-up of TD-LTE by
operators there needs to be a wide range of multi-mode and multi-band handsets for end users, and we anticipate that
the number of multi-mode and multi-band TD-/FD-LTE phone and tablet models will continue to increase.
The number of dual-mode TD-/FD-LTE devices is also increasing: As of July 2014, there were 169 dual-mode LTE
devices supporting 2.6GHz FD-LTE and 2.3GHz TD-LTE, and 155 dual-mode devices supporting 1.8GHz FD-LTE
and 2.6GHz TD-LTE.
Figure 13: TD-/FD-LTE multi-mode devices, July 2014 [Source: GSA, July 2014]
Router
Phone
USB modem
Module
Mobile tablet
Femtocell
0
20
40
60
Number of devices
80
100
120
Device pricing
Device and service pricing are key barriers to mobile service adoption. TD-LTE devices benefit from economies of
scale associated with FD-LTE devices, since FD-LTE and TD-LTE devices use almost the same specifications, and
are approximately 95% the same technology. Combined with inexpensive mobile data packages, low-cost devices
should help unlock the potential for TD-LTE in many markets over the next five years. For example, Huawei and
Mozilla showcased a prototype USD25 smartphone at Mobile World Congress 2014, underscoring the ability to reach
low price points for LTE devices. With the emergence of TD-LTE networks in China, South Korea and the USA, we
expect to see that price point continue to decrease as players such as Google and low-cost manufacturers enter the
market.
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 16
TD-LTE is supported by a strong ecosystem
Before they invest in and deploy new networks, mobile operators consider the entire ecosystem that supports a new
network technology – not just device availability, but also network equipment availability and support from other
industry stakeholders. Leading equipment vendors such as Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Huawei, NSN, Samsung and
ZTE already support TD-LTE and multi-mode TD-/FD-LTE and there is wider industry support for TD-LTE, through
a number of organisations:

Global TD-LTE Initiative (GTI): formed in February 2012, GTI is the largest organisation that supports
TD-LTE. Its stakeholders include equipment vendors (Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Huawei, NSN, Samsung and
ZTE), operators (e.g. China Mobile, SoftBank, Bharti, KT, Sprint, Vodafone, PCCW Group, Eplus, DirectTV,
and P1) and chipset vendors (Broadcom, Fujitsu Semiconductor, HiSilicon Technologies and Qualcomm).

TD Industry Alliance (TDIA): a Chinese organisation that promotes development of the TD industry. TDIA’s
initial focus was on the promotion of TD-SCDMA technology, but it now also supports TD-LTE. The group is
closely tied to the XGP Forum, with which it reached a knowledge sharing agreement in June 2009.

eXtended Global Platform (XGP): a Japanese organisation formed in April 2009 that promotes the TD-based
wireless broadband technology called XGP. The latest generation of XGP is Advanced-XGP (AXGP), which is
fully compatible with TD-LTE and is generally classified as such. This technology is used by Softbank in Japan.
18
19
Conclusion
LTE is the first mobile technology that enables mobile operators to change how they manage their network and
spectrum from an approach that involves individual silos to one that gives them the benefit of integrated singletechnology networks. The ability to combine different bands of spectrum through CA, and to eventually interwork
both TD and FD technologies, enables operators to better utilise their most valuable, and expensive, asset: spectrum.
Users’ appetite for higher-speed mobile services and data-intensive applications is growing continually, creating an
asymmetric data challenge. The number of operators with spectrum in multiple bands is rising, and the increasing
availability of unpaired spectrum, particularly in the 2GHz and 3GHz bands, will continue to push operators to build
multi-technology LTE networks that support both TD-LTE and FD-LTE. These One LTE networks will take
advantage of the strengths of both technologies, and will be built for both coverage and capacity. The growing device
ecosystem for TD-LTE devices is providing the range of devices and price points required to support the rapid growth
of TD-LTE services.
18
19
See http://lte-TD.org/about/mem/part/
See http://www.xgpforum.com/new_XGP/en/index.html
© Analysys Mason Limited 2014
TD-LTE will drive the rise of superfast mobile broadband networks | 17
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