tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55021717789226722272024-03-08T00:50:48.720-08:00Telecom 2020 ViewThis is a blog that will discuss what networks and services operators will will be offering in 2020 and the eveloution to that point. It will discuss how IP, Ethernet, and fiber will be used to provide a variety of wireline and wireless voice, data, and content services.
This blog will be based on opinion since it is talking about a future that is more than a decade away. I welcome opinions and comments from you, the reader, to broaden the perspective expressed.Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-24684921640907303412011-01-15T10:20:00.000-08:002011-01-15T10:20:04.824-08:00Buying Tivo Premiere XLI have placed an order for a Tivo Premiere XL. It duplicates some of the functions of the Vizio Blu-ray player but should provide a more integrated viewing experience. I think that the streaming content will be presented along side the broadcast content rather than requiring the selection of a separate device. The Tivo also supports more streaming content than the Vizio.<br />
<br />
I ordered the wireless interface with the Tivo even though I have had inconsistent performance with the Vizio wireless connection. If wireless on the Tivo does not work well, I will send the adapter back and buy some power line Ethernet adapter.<br />
<br />
I will make posts about my experience with the Tivo.Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-19874844221883394252009-08-20T13:27:00.000-07:002009-08-20T14:01:45.099-07:00U.S. FCC Broadband Definition and BlogThe U.S. FCC is <a href="http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-1842A1.pdf">requesting comments</a> on how to define what broadband is. It breaks the definition down into three categories:<br /><ul><li>Form, Characteristics, and Performance Indicators</li><li>Thresholds – typically minimums</li><li>Updates that address the fact that a static definition will fail to address changing needs and habits</li></ul><p>This part of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">FCC's</span> efforts to create a national broadband plan by February 17, 2010.</p><p>The FCC has started a <a href="http://blog.broadband.gov/">blog called <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">BlogBand</span></a> discussing its broadband activities.</p><p><strong><em>It appears that the FCC is putting needed attention on broadband in the U.S. It is about time. Broadband in the U.S. is behind leading European and Asian countries by every measure.</em></strong></p>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-37909905807497897692009-08-08T09:11:00.000-07:002009-08-08T09:16:09.016-07:00Ofcom UK Communications Report<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ofcom</span> issued a 334 page <a href="http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/cm/cmr09/">Communications Report</a> that discusses TV, Radio, Telecommunications, and convergence. It has a lot of interesting information. Several points that stuck out were:<br /><ul><li>For the first time since <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Oftel</span> started to collect market data in 1992/93, operator-reported<br />revenues from telecoms services did not increase in 2008. Total revenues were<br />unchanged at £39.5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">bn</span>, with increasing retail revenues being offset by falling wholesale<br />revenues.</li><li>Telecoms services accounted for 3.2% of total household expenditure in 2008, down<br />from 3.4% in 2007. Telecoms spend fell by 5.2% in real terms over the year, the largest<br />annual decline since spend on telecoms services began to fall in 2006.</li><li>Nearly two-thirds (65%) of UK households had a fixed-line broadband connection in Q1<br />2009, up from 58% a year previously.</li><li><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">BT</span>’s share of retail fixed voice calls to UK geographic numbers fell to under 50% for the<br />first time in 2008. Increasing use of wholesale line rental (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">WLR</span>) and local loop<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">unbundling</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">LLU</span>) services contributed to the erosion of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">BT</span>’s retail share<br /></li></ul><p><strong><em>We should all thank <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ofcom</span> for continuing to publish these comprehensive reports that shed light on important trends.</em></strong></p>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-15023970426038888932009-07-07T06:04:00.000-07:002009-07-07T06:16:07.386-07:00U.S. Telecom Antitrust InvestigationThe Wall Street Journal has published an <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124689740762401297.html">article</a> stating that the U.S. Department of Justice (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">DOJ</span>) has begun reviewing if large U.S. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">telcos</span> such as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ATT</span> and Verizon are abusing their market power. This review is not targeted at a specific company today. The review is expected to cover all areas from land-line voice and broadband service to wireless.<br /><br />The article points to exclusive contracts with handset vendors such as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ATT's</span> iPhone contract with Apple as an example. It also points to traffic management such as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ATT's</span> suppression of peer to peer traffic on its mobile data network as another example.<br /><br /><strong><em>It sounds like this review is much more wide ranging than these two examples. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">DOJ</span> forced the breakup of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">ATT</span> in 1984. This has largely been undone through the mergers and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">acquisitions</span> that Verizon and the current <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">ATT</span> have made. Maybe it is time to take them apart again. The level of competition in the U.S. is certainly much less than in France, and we Americans pay for it.<br /></em></strong><strong><em></em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-69421698528959685882009-06-29T10:38:00.000-07:002009-06-29T10:44:11.332-07:00Survey Shows Preference for FTTHThe U.S. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">FTTH</span> Council has published a <a href="http://www.ftthcouncil.org/sites/default/files/2009Consumersurveykeyfindings%20FINAL.pdf">survey</a> of U.S. broadband users that shows that there is a strong preference for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">FTTH</span> over cable modem broadband services. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">DSL</span> had the least favorable rating for broadband services. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">FTTH</span> had an even stronger preference for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">HD</span> TV over <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">FTTH</span> compared to satellite and cable services.<br /><br /><strong><em>The survey is well worth reading. The results are no surprised but do underscore the technical superiority of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">FTTH</span> technologies.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-81615808519372003162009-06-24T07:06:00.000-07:002009-06-24T07:12:53.861-07:00Femto ApplicationsLight reading published an <a href="http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=178423&">article</a> describing work that is going on to develop applications that run on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">femto</span> cells. There is discussion that we will see <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">femto</span> application stores in the future.<br /><br />Many of the applications are based on presence. One example is an application that will tell your room mate to feed the fish when the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">femto</span> recognizes that the room mate has returned home from work. Other applications involve home control including remotely controlling the TV or home entertainment system, the home heating and cooling system, or other home appliances.<br /><br /><strong><em>This is interesting; however, the home controller idea has not taken hold as yet. Maybe the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">femto</span> is the missing element that will make it work.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-60950830370963686362009-06-24T06:51:00.000-07:002009-06-24T07:05:51.509-07:00Femto Cells Coming in the UK and the U.S.<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Vodafone</span> will introduce a 3G <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">femto</span> service in the UK on July 1, 2009 using an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Alcatel</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lucent</span> gateway. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">femto</span> service will be available under several plans that include no charge to a cost of $250 for the gateway and $8 per month.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">ATT</span> is expanding its current 3G <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">femto</span> technical trial with 200 users to a marketing trial where it will be sold at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">ATT</span> stores in several cities. It plans a full <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">rollout</span> by the end of 2009.<br /><br /><strong><em>The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">telcos</span> have significant challenges in pricing and marketing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">femto</span> cells. They will have to convince a broad market what <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">femtos</span> do and what their benefits are.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-45028864117256838592009-06-23T07:04:00.000-07:002009-06-23T07:19:15.529-07:00Verizon Increases Fiber Upstream SpeedsLight Reading has published an <a href="http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=178331&site=cdn&">article</a> describing how Verizon is increasing the upstream speeds of its <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">FiOS</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">FTTH</span> service.<br /><br />Tier Old New Old New<br /> Upstream Upstream Downstream Downstream <br />Entry-level 2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s 5 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s 10 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s 15 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s<br />"Flagship" mid-level 5 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s 15 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s 20 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s 25 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s<br />Entry-Level (NY area) 2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s 15 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s 10 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s 25 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s<br />"Flagship" mid-level (NY area) 5 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s 20 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s 20 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s 35 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbit</span>/s<br /><br /><strong><em>Verizon is taking advantage of the the technical advantages of fiber vs. cable modems to respond to an aggressive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cablevision</span> in the New York area in particular.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-52485008342205808682009-06-17T10:15:00.000-07:002009-06-17T10:20:52.582-07:00Singapore Going to FiberLightreading has published an <a href="http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=178008&">article</a> describing Singapore's plans to move to fiber access. This is being developed by two separate entities, known as the NetCo and the OpCo: OpenNet (the NetCo), a consortium comprising Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel), Axia NetMedia Corp., Singapore Press Holdings, and Singapore Power Telecoms, which will provide the passive infrastructure; and Nucleus Connect (the OpCo), a wholly owned subsidiary of StarHub Pte. Ltd., which will provide wholesale connectivity to multiple retail service providers.<br /><br />The companies are working on parallel rollouts that are required to deliver 100 percent coverage by January 1, 2013, and are actually ahead of schedule, with 95 percent coverage promised for June 2012 instead of the 80 percent required in their license conditions.<br /><br /><strong><em>This is the kind of commitment that will get real results. The U.S. and the UK should take not.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-12097568172158028762009-06-17T09:51:00.000-07:002009-06-17T10:03:52.129-07:00UK Digital Britain ReportThe UK government has published its <a href="http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/broadcasting/6216.aspx">Digital Britain report along with an Impact Statement</a>. These are extensive reports. The Executive Summary by itself makes 83 separate points. There are a couple of significant things that I saw:<br /><ul><li>It wants to increase the households that can access broadband at 2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbps</span> from under 90 percent to 100 percent. It expects that wireless will be important in accomplishing this. It expects to make 200 million pounds available to support this goal. It also encourages the allocation of new spectrum for this purpose.</li><li>It encourages the deployment next generation fixed broadband, which it defines at 50 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbps</span> by example.</li></ul><strong><em>This is not an ambitious set of goals. A number of other European countries have much more aggressive programs, including France, Switzerland, and the Scandinavian countries. It does not come close to matching what is going on in Asia, especially Japan, Korea, and China.</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>Following this plan will keep the UK at the back of the pack. At least it will be in good company along with those of us in the U.S.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-57103765159100763772009-06-10T07:20:00.000-07:002009-06-10T07:36:16.085-07:00Cisco IPTV Traffic Forecast<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cisco</span> has released its latest <a href="http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/collateral/ns341/ns525/ns537/ns705/ns827/white_paper_c11-481360_ns827_Networking_Solutions_White_Paper.html"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">IPTV</span> traffic forecast</a> that covers 2008 to 2013. It finds that video traffic will be of increasing importance and will account for 80 percent of consumer Internet traffic by 2013. It states that Internet traffic and consumer <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">IP</span> traffic will account for more than 70 percent of total traffic by 2013. This means that more than half the traffic on the network will be video traffic at that time.<br /><br /><strong><em>This reports shows <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">IP</span> traffic growing at a compound annual growth rate of 40 percent per year over this period. This is a bit below the 50 percent per year that I have been assuming. My assumptions are that video on demand to the TV will grow faster than <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cisco's</span> forecast. I have seen very high rates of video on demand utilization where network <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">PVR</span> services are available.</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>It is clear that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">IP</span> traffic will continue to grow at a high rate and that video will come to dominate these networks. This will require the architecture of these networks to change to optimize the transport of video traffic.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-14476860534723196422009-06-03T06:50:00.000-07:002009-06-03T07:07:23.016-07:00Broadband Providers "Not So Fair Use" Violates Net NeutralityA couple of articles have been published recently describing how broadband providers are managing their traffic to their advantage and to the detriment of specific services. The BBC has published an <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8077839.stm">article describing how <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">BT</span> throttles the bandwidth</a> on its broadband service and degrades the quality of the BBC <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">iPlayer</span> at certain times of the day. The second is a <a href="http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=177429&">Light Reading article describing the results of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">femto</span> cell testing by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Epitiro</span></a> that shows that traffic management by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">broadand</span> providers will negatively affect the performance of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">femto</span> cells during peak traffic periods.<br /><br />The BBC has identified a clause in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">BT's</span> fair use policy that permits it to reduce the bandwidth on its broadband service to below 1 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mbps</span>, which degrades the quality of the BBC <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">iPlayer</span> over the top <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">IPTV</span> service. The article cites an example of a user who has been affected by this policy.<br /><br />The traffic analysis performed by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Epitiro</span> shows that some broadband providers are throttling <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">IPSEC</span> traffic so that it provides worse performance that best efforts Internet traffic at the same time.<br /><br /><strong><em>These are the kind of situations that those promoting the Net Neutrality agenda are concerned about. In both cases the broadband providers are throttling the traffic of competitors. The BBC <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">iPlayer</span> competes with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">BT's</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">BT</span> Vision <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">IPTV</span> service. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Femto</span> cells will compete with the broadband provider's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">VoIP</span> and POTS services. The broadband providers are building the case for Net Neutrality when they do this and will produce a regulatory reaction that they will not like at all.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-65414111934690522412009-05-23T08:26:00.000-07:002009-05-23T08:32:30.880-07:00Spain to Approach 50% FTTH by 2023Spain's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">telecom</span> regulator, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Comisión</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">del</span> Mercado <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">de</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">las</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Telecomunicaciones</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">CMT</span>), has published a study that states that 43 to 46 percent of Spain's households would have access to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">FTTH</span> services by 2023. Competitive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">telcos</span> would be able to use <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Telefonica's</span> fiber ducts and trenches.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">CMT</span> also estimates that Spain will have about 3 million <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">IPTV</span> subscribers by 2023, with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Telefónica</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">atb</span>70 percent of that market, or 2.1 million subscribers. At those levels, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">IPTV</span> would represent about 36 percent of Spain's digital pay TV market.<br /><br /><strong><em>This is an aggressive prediction but one that points to where major <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">telcos</span> globally need to be at that time. There does not seem to be any plan for financing this project, which would probably cost about $10 billion.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-325048672324126472009-05-19T10:24:00.000-07:002009-05-19T10:35:20.142-07:00LTE IssuesLight Reading published an <a href="http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=176867&">article</a> based on discussions from the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">LTE</span> World Summit. Carriers there identified a number of issues that need to be resolved before they deploy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">LTE</span>, including:<br /><ul><li>Support for voice and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">SMS</span> services including circuit switching as well as packet switching.</li><li>Building enough <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">back haul</span> capacity into the network to realize <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">LTE's</span> performance promises.</li><li>Intellectual property rights.</li><li>Spectrum</li></ul><strong><em>Much of this discussion revolved around lessons learned from 3G. It does point out the real problems carriers will have rationalizing both their 3G and 4G strategies. I think that they will either stay with 3G or replace their 3G networks with 4G networks. I think that trying to provide both will be a real mess.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-86191001789948324772009-05-15T09:37:00.001-07:002009-05-15T09:41:35.980-07:00Green TelecomLight Reading has published a <a href="http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=172806&">long article</a> discussing the issues around green <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">telecom</span>. It describes why this is an important issue and different ways to approach it. Another interesting approach to this is contained in <a href="http://www.theclimategroup.org/assets/resources/publications/Smart2020Report.pdf">The Climate Group's Smart 2o20 report</a> that takes a quantitative approach to this subject.<br /><br /><strong><em>This is an important subject that is being addressed by the entire <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ICT</span> industry including service providers and manufacturers. It will be important to push this agenda future.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-53513955804986406052009-05-10T12:28:00.000-07:002009-05-11T09:23:30.523-07:00Wireleine WoesThe New York Times <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">published</span> and <a href="http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/will-the-phone-industry-need-a-bailout-too/">article</a> discussing if the U.S. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">wireline</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">telcos</span> will need a bailout to rescue its copper based access business. It pointed out that AT&T lost 12 percent of its access lines in 2008 and Verizon lost 10 percent. The article paints a pictures that the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">wireline</span> business in the U.S. is headed toward bankruptcy.<br /><br /><strong><em>I have been tracking U.S. switched access lines at my <a href="http://larribeau.com/MS%20Access.htm">website</a> from 1991 through 2007. The FCC has stopped tracking switched access lines, so that one of its most interesting pieces of data will no longer be updated.</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>It is clear that copper is being replaced by the cable companies coax, by wireless technologies, and by the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">telco's</span> own fiber services. The more aggressively that they deploy fiber, the better off they will be in the long run.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-87799820685055082682009-04-24T05:58:00.000-07:002009-04-24T06:04:19.665-07:00GVT Brazil to Offer 100 Mbps Broadband Service<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">GVT</span>, the Brazilian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">CLEC</span>, will launch 50 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mbps</span> and 100 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Mbps</span> broadband services in cities where it currently operates. This follows on to its successful 10 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mbps</span> offering, which now accounts for 29 percent of its sales and is available to 9 percent of its <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ADSL</span> foot print.<br /><br /><strong><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">GVT</span> is taking a disruptive approach to the Brazilian market by offering significantly higher speeds and the same price or less than the incumbent carriers. It is another example that shows the preference for higher speeds.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-63210335613167204442009-04-21T08:37:00.000-07:002009-04-21T08:44:42.875-07:00BT Says No Need for Fiber to the HomeThe Register published and <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/17/digital_britain_bt/">article</a> reporting a panel presentation where <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BT</span> said that there is no need for fiber to the home. That its plans for a 40 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mbps</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">VDSL</span> deployment provides enough bandwidth and that the economic case for fiber to the home is weak.<br /><br /><strong><em>This approach is understandable but it will put <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">BT</span> at a significant disadvantage to its cable competitors as they deploy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">DOCSIS</span> 3.0 technologies. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">BT's</span> real challenge is to figure out how to make the business case for fiber to the home work out before it is so far behind the technology curve that it will lose significant market share. Customer retention is a powerful economic argument.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-50175617702127963912009-04-14T10:57:00.000-07:002009-04-14T11:17:39.777-07:00Verizon to Deploy 4G by 2014Light Reading has published a <a href="http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=175220&">Verizon interview</a> that states that the timetable of Verizon's planned <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">LTE</span> deployment of a couple of test markets in 2009 and "30 or so" markets in 2010. He then suggests that the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">build out</span> could be completed relatively quickly after that.<br /><br /><strong><em>This is an aggressive deployment schedule and I expect that it will be 2012 or 2013 before Verizon's 4G build out is complete.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-91417934912401450902009-04-14T10:05:00.000-07:002009-04-14T10:26:56.702-07:00Telenor and Tele2 to Build 4G Network in Sweden<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Telenor</span> Sweden and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tele</span>2 Sweden plan to build a joint 4G network in Sweden. The agreement includes the formation of a joint venture for network construction and sharing of spectrum. The roll-out will start in 2009 with the intent of launching <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">LTE</span> based services in the end of 2010.<br /><br />In 2013, the operators expect 99 percent of the Swedish population to have access to mobile broadband at speeds of up to 80 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Mbit</span>/s in rural areas and up to 150 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mbit</span>/s in urban areas. The roll-out includes an extension of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">GSM</span> network by 30-50 percent, resulting in better indoor and outdoor coverage on mobile voice communication.<br /><br /><strong><em>This is another example of resource sharing between operators for building 4G networks. I think this will become a common approach for 4G and is likely to become important for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">FTTH</span> networks.</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-49474176518385871362009-04-09T10:14:00.000-07:002009-04-09T10:31:52.599-07:00FCC to Create U.S. to Create National Broadband PlanThe recent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 also known as the stimulus act, charged the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">RUS</span>) and the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NTIA</span>) with making grants and loans to expand broadband deployment and for other important broadband projects. Congress provided $7.2 billion for this effort but is not insufficient to support nationwide broadband deployment. Consequently, the Recovery Act charges the FCC to create a national broadband plan by February 17, 2010, that will seek to ensure that every American has access to broadband capability and establishes clear benchmarks for meeting that goal.<br /><br /><strong><em>This kind of comprehensive plan is over due. Europe and countries such as Japan, Korea, and Australia are well ahead of the U.S. in this effort.</em></strong><br /><p><strong><em>The problem is that such a comprehensive view is very a very complex project. It will be difficult to bring focus to such a large effort that will make it effective. It could easily end up so general that it does not provide a useful perspective.</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>I think that the FCC should focus on creating an open environment that creates a competitive service environment based on fiber to the home and 4G wireless. The current approach that relies on competition between the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">telco</span> and cable giants impedes competition. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ADSL</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">VDSL</span>, 2G, and 3G wireless are all technologies that are either now obsolete or rapidly approaching their obsolescence. Drawing such clear lines will help the FCC make this effort meaningful.</em></strong></p>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-49364811352086123672009-04-08T13:44:00.000-07:002009-04-08T13:53:36.244-07:004.4M FTTH Subscribers in North AmericaThe Fiber to the Home Council has <a href="http://www.ftthcouncil.org/UserFiles/File/RVA%20slides%20April%202009.pdf">issued a report</a> on North American fiber deployments that states that there are 4.422 million <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FTTH</span> subscribers and 15.17 homes passed. Of these, 2.65 subscribe to video services. 3.3 million are subscribers to Verizon's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FiOS</span> service and another 1.13 million are subscribers to one of the 681 other U.S. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">telcos</span> that offer fiber services.<br /><br /><strong><em>This shows the extent to which Verizon is driving <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">FTTH</span> in North America. AT&T and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Qwest</span> have not made any significant deployments yet.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-75621323222753850762009-04-08T13:35:00.000-07:002009-04-08T13:42:55.875-07:00Femto Cell Standards CompleteThe 3<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">GPP</span> has published standards for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">femto</span> cells <a href="http://www.femtoforum.org/femto/pressreleases.php">listed in a release</a> from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Femto</span> Forum. The Broadband Forum also contributed to these standards. The new standards cover four main areas: network architecture; radio & interference aspects; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">femtocell</span> management/provisioning and security.<br /><br />These standards are based on the 3<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">GPP</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">UMTS</span> protocols and extend them to support the needs of high-volume <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">femtocell</span> deployments. The new standard has also adopted the Broadband Forum’s TR-069 management protocol which has been extended to incorporate a new data model for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">femtocells</span> developed collaboratively by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Femto</span> Forum and Broadband Forum members and published by the Broadband Forum as Technical Report 196 (TR-196).<br /><br /><strong><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Femto</span> cells will be a key network element and will generate fundamental changes in how services are delivered and sold. This is an important start.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-1225332683522321012009-04-08T12:45:00.000-07:002009-04-08T12:58:00.656-07:00Australia will Establis New Company to Build Fiber NetworkThe Australian <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">government</span> has <a href="http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/022">unveiled a plan</a> establish a new company to build and operate a national broadband <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">network</span> that will provide 100 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mbps</span> fiber connections to homes, schools, and businesses in towns of a population of about 1,000 or more, which will provide coverage to 90 percent of the people in Australia. Wireless and satellite technologies capable of providing 12 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Mbps</span> will be used in more remote <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">locations</span>. This network will include fiber links between cities, major regional centers, and rural towns.<br /><br />The services of this network will be provided on wholesale-only, open access network. The initial estimate is that this network will cost $30 billion to build. The government plans an immediate investment of more than $3 billion. The Australian government will seek private investment in the company to draw on private sector capacity and expertise. However, ownership restrictions will be established to protect the Government's objective of a wholesale open-access network.<br /><br /><strong><em>This is a strong commitment to an advanced broadband network. It provides a unique approach to provide an open fiber network. It illustrates the importance of government policy in building fiber networks.</em></strong>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502171778922672227.post-14228919797043502009-04-03T09:32:00.000-07:002009-04-03T09:38:28.397-07:00Nokia Ubimeda Competition<p><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nokia</span> has announced a <a href="http://www.mindtrek.org/2009/ubimedia">contest described its website</a> to encourage makers of digital media to generate ideas and develop new and innovative <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ubimedia</span> products & services. The entries are expected to take a stand on the following questions, for example: </p><ul><li>How does ubiquitous computing affect media environments? </li><li>What are intelligent media environments like? </li><li>What will the location- and context-aware media services of the future be like?</li></ul><p>The total award sum is 7,000 euros which may be awarded to one entry, divided between several entries, or not awarded at all.</p><p><em><strong>These contests are an interesting way to stimulate innovation by encouraging broad participation and providing some amount of reward for winning.</strong></em></p>Bob Larribeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007028096493888683noreply@blogger.com0