THE FUTURE AND FUSION OF WiFi and Wi-Max IN THE UNIFIED LICENSING REGIME By Emmanuel E. Ekuwem, PhD, MIEEE, NIPOM CEO, Teledom Group President, Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) NIG Forum on Internet Service in the Unified Licensing and Internet Service 22 June, 2006, MUSON Centre 1

BACKGROUND In a knowledge-based economy, data and information constitute a factor of production. Ease and Speed of Access to relevant knowledge and translation of same into production gives one a Competitive Advantage in any field of human endeavour. Ideas and creative thinking constitute the building blocks of the progress of human civilization. The more all the senses of man (gender neutral) are simultaneously bombarded with relevant knowledge, the more the assimilation and engendered productivity. From dawn to dusk and from cradle to grave, there is therefore the need to be continuously creative. 2

Need for simultaneous broadband bombardment of the human senses. Therefore there is need for continuous productivity via ubiquitous broadband access. Wi-Max and WiFi are resourceful responses to the need for ubiquitous broadband access Background contd. 3

AccessAccess GSM Mobile Handset GSM Tabletop Handset GSM Fax Terminal Fixed line Handset Fixed line Fax Terminal Fixed Wireless Handset Computer (PC) Notebook (PC) - WiFi PDA Satellite Phone GSM Mobile Handset GSM Tabletop Handset GSM Fax Terminal Fixed line Handset Fixed line Fax Terminal Fixed Wireless Handset Computer (PC) Notebook (PC) - WiFi PDA Satellite Phone ICT Infrastructure Leisure/ holiday Travel Education Security Government Business Health Law Enforcement Ubiquitous Broadband Access 4

Future Fusion of Wi-Max and WiFi What is Wi-Max and what led to it? What is Wi-Fi and what led to it? Will one be replaced by the other? Will they work in complementarity? Will they fuse into something completely new? Will both be rendered obsolete by a new technology? 5

Wi-Max 1 Wi-Max: Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access Created by Alvarion and Intel in 2002 (April) Wireless Digital Communication System IEEE Standard defines The Protocol Intended for Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Provides Broadband Wireless Access up to  50 km for fixed stations  5-15 km for mobile stations Operates in both Licensed and Unlicensed frequencies More efficient bandwidth use Interference avoidance Higher data rates over long distances 6

Wi-Max 2 Wi-Max Forum offers means of testing manufacturers equipment for compatibility and development and commercialization of technology. Term to describe Wireless Internal Access worldwide. Since by 2008, only 50% of household will have cable-based broadband access, there is a huge opportunity for Wi-Max to fill the gap. Wireless alternative to DSL, cable and leased line services. Potential rival to mobile telephony? Supports transmission speeds more than 70 mbps. 7

Wi-Max 3 Does not require line-of-sight Attractive in built up areas due to non-line-of-sight features Attractive in rural areas where high speed cable infrastructure is either poor or non-existent Opportunities for inter Wi-Fi hot spots backhauling Opportunities for creating large wide area hot spots 8

Wi-Max 4 Spectrum challenges 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz Continuity and quality of service Subject to regulation and Spectrum acquisition cost. 9

Wi-Max MOBILITY 1 IEEE e standard Provides mobility – supports seamless hand-off Expected to be completed from next month- end of Service roll-out planned for

Wi-Max MOBILITY 2 IEEE , also known as Mobile-FI May compete with 3G Supports connections up to 1.5 mbps in devices moving at 120 km/hr 11

Wi-Fi Wi-Fi: Wireless Fidelity IEEE – a, b, g Essentially a wireless connection between a PC, notebook, PDA, etc, and an Internet Access Point or Wired Network Operates in the Unlicensed 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio bands Data rate of  11 Mbps (802.11b)  54 Mbps (802.11a)  (802.11g) Range of about 100m (300 ft) 12

Wi-Fi Schematic 13

Fusion of Wi-Max and Wi-Fi WiMax objective  To ensure an inter-operable radio access standard for wireless metropolitan networks. I.e. inter-operable wireless access in the last mile/kilometer  To make certification and compatibility of equipment (technologies, networks and terminals) easier WiMax, although created by Alvarion and Intel, today has more than 100 members, viz: AT & T wireless, Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Alcatel, Motorola, Nokia, Siemens, France Telecom, etc. WiMax provides an alternative to DSL and cabled networks on one hand, and interconnecting WiFi hot spots on the other. WiFi is freed from the LOS constraints 14

Fusion of Wi-Max and Wi-Fi WiMax has a higher throughput in a 20MHz channel than WiFi a or g No latency delays in WiMax which is essential in VoIP WiMax has a high transmission capacity over a large area of territory making it ideal for broadband access to rural areas. Very High Speed Internet provided by WiMax over large areas will enable Unified Licensees, PTOs, ISPs, IAPs to offer services such as telephony, Voice and Video over IP WiMax for transmission/backhaul and WiFi for local area looping; I.e. in licensed bandwidths, where high levels (of power) are authorized, WiMax is used to build inter- connection networks, or to hook to public access points or individual or collective dwellings. 15

Fusion of Wi-Max and Wi-Fi Internal coverage of the dwellings could use WiMax as frequencies not requiring licenses. In bandwidths without licenses, WiMax could in time replace WiFi in Wireless LANS (Internal coverage of buildings, etc.) or in hot spots. Future networks will allow “as needed” operations (WiMax/WiFi with or without MIMO) depending on local conditions. 16

Wi-Max and Wi-Fi in Unified Licensing Regime 1 Omniservice Platform Non Narrowband-engendered service Reduction in cost of bandwidth Envisaged reduction in cost of computers Need for constant Electric Power supply Broadband infrastructure penetration Broadband to office and home penetration 17

Wi-Max and Wi-Fi in Unified Licensing Regime 2 Need for partnership with legacy ISPs in the downstream segment of ICT service provision. Acquisitions and Mergers Broadband with IXP/Gateway for keeping local traffic local and access to local info Local broadband,local website/mailserver host for local exchange of local content 18

CONCLUSION These two technologies from the same family will co-habit and complement each other based on local conditions. 19