ELE 2860 H. T. Tsui 1. The view of an H. K. Engineer 2 A case study

The World in the Eyes of an Engineer World scene Regional scene Local scene

GNP China 1 USA 9 Japan 4 UK 1 Europe 1 HK 0.15

Ranking on IT Singapore Taiwan Korea H.K. Market Infrastructure Government Application (CO) Application ( P) ….. Total

A case study: 3G Vs Wi Fi Wi Fi is a wireless technology which have a data rate 5 times that of 3G Advantages: Based on technology in the public domain. A Wi Fi access point (base station) cost US$ 70 ( cellular one cost more than $ 50,000)

WI- FI (1) In major cities, many hot spot access points can be set up at low cost in cafés, airports, stations. Cheap: HK $ 3 per 10 minutes in Pacific Cafes in H. K. Access Points : 200 in H. K. 5,000 in Seoul Voice over IP

WI- FI (2) Wi-Fi enabled devices Half the lap top sold have built in or add on wi-fi Even PDAs have this capability if higher power is allowed. wi-fi can have a range of 2.5 KM. Hot spot can be extended to cover tall building

WI- FI (3) Disadvantages Limited to within meters from a hot spot (access point) 4W transmission power The lab top using wi-fi is not allowed to be mobile Spectrum crowded: 2.4 giga hetz

Wi-fi service business is a low risk one For PCCW If it spend US $ 10 million, it can provide service to 28 % of urban H.K. by 2011 It can break even by 2009 For a dominant fixed line player like PCCW, wireless coverage is more simple. It can put wi-fi access point atop existing cables

3G in danger For a 3G operator The cost for a network covering H.K. is US $250 million millions annual licence fee

Wi-fi development in US and Europe Wi-fi has developed as a community movement. Wi-Fi normads without an account can have free access People opening network to entire neighbourhoods, marking access points by chalk in front of wi-fi- enabled houses. This force many local businesses to offer free access too.