Letting the Market Define 4G Philip Solis Research Director, Mobile Networks ABI Research

Some Basics about 4G 4G – not defined by details, but simply by what it is 4G is just short for 4 th generation (of WWAN) 4G is not a specification or standard No standards body controls the term

WWAN Generations 1G – analog, frequency division 2G – digital, FD + time division [TDMA, GSM] 3G – FD + code division [CDMA] 4G – OFDMA on wider channels, FDD or TDD There are clear delineations between the generations, based on new technologies and techniques introduced. This has been our stance since ~2004, 2005

ITU Hijacking “4G” ITU tied 4G and IMT-Advanced together in press release and on web site. – Seemed to confirm 4G = IMT-Advanced – Sounds official, but it is meaningless ABI Research opinion – no logic, too arbitrary – 4G not just about reaching new performance – Also new IP-based networks – Not only: CDMA | OFDMA – Also: 1G, 2G, 3G | 4G

ITU Hijacking “4G” October 2010 Led to media saying that WiMAX and LTE are not 4G But... How can OFDMA not be 4G, but OFDMA is 4G ? How can there be forward and backward compatibility for 16e/16m and LTE/LTE-A ? Of course WiMAX and LTE are 4G

ITU Recanting December 2010 No standalone clarification, only buried in the middle of a random collection of topics Meant to untie 4G from IMT-Advanced Recognized that WiMAX and LTE are 4G But also mentioned “other advanced 3G technologies” – while vague, everyone agrees ITU meant HSPA+ But... 3G = 4G ?

From One Extreme... Gives fuel to mobile operators who call their HSPA+ networks 4G Media reporting false things: – HSPA+, WiMAX, and LTE are all 4G (wrong) – ITU redefined 4G (wrong, sort of) – ITU relaxed its restrictions (wrong: IMT-A requirements are still the same)

4G ≠ IMT-Advanced 4G: WWAN technologies using OFDMA IMT-Advanced: specific performance requirements 4G: Not just about speed – Higher speed – Lower latency – Lower cost/MB – Lower cost chipsets (pure 4G)

4G Operators in US Main 4 – Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile – Variations in spectrum, capital, timing, coverage Tier 2, Tier 3 Wholesale-focused 4G operators – Clearwire, LightSquared MVNOs – Cable companies, Best Buy Connect

4G Operator Differentiation Network coverage – In home city? – In major cities or business travel? Devices – Smartphone factor came in quicker – Wider array of devices Pricing

ABI Research Philip Solis Research Director, Mobile Networks ABI Research