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- 1. June 10, 2014 Presented by: Dennis Savoie Emails: dennis.savoie@cox.net WI-FI – 3GPP IN HETEROGENEOUS NETWORKS An Integrated Approach to Delivering the Best User Experience This document is solely for the internal use.
- 2. Forecasts 2 • HetNet Wi-Fi - 3GPP Data Drivers • Small Cell predicated to carry nearly 50% of all the data traffic by 2016 with Wi-Fi and 3GPP. • ARCchart Forecast shipments of over 5 million small cells representing a $40 Billion market by 2017. • SNS Research predicts HetNets will account for more than $350 Billion in mobile data service revenues. • Small Cell Forum reported more than 55 operators world wide are leveraging small cells. • Users do not care if they connected to 3G, LTE or Wi- Fi – underlying technology should be invisible. • ~ 70% of data traffic is generated In-building. • 97.5% of Smartphones support Wi-Fi. • Wi-Fi penetration rate predicted at 60% by 2017. • Smartphones subs expected to grow to 4.5 Billion by 2018. • Mobile data traffic expected to rise 12-fold between 2013 and 2018. • Mobile video traffic expected to grow 60% annually by the end of 2018. • 3GPP LTE RAT Release 8 and 9 projects 1.6 Billion subs by 2018.
- 3. Forecasts 3
- 4. Competition • AT&T and Verizon Focus and Trends • US Wireless market has become increasingly saturated with wireless connections having exceed the population in mid-2011. • AT&T Q4 2013 • Lag in LTE coverage by a wide margin in comparison to Verizon but with some traction. • New subscribers coming from Tablets rather than smartphones by 77% for Q3. • Increase smartphone penetration and adoption of 4G LTE helped AT&T data ARPU rise by 13% . • 1.02% churn with a 46% pent up in 2013 - added only 1.2 million subs in 2013 from 1.4 million subs in 2012. • Verizon Q4 2013 • Leads US LTE deployment and looking to increase network density with LTE – Advance and VoLTE, however Q3 LTE coverage is not as wide as predicted – sub adds declined by 930,000 from over 1.5 million during the same period last year. • Growing smartphone penetration and increasing adoption of 4G LTE. • Added more than twice as many subs in 2013 than AT&T but leveling. • LTE gap between AT&T and Verizon narrows. • .93% churn with a 34% pent up in 2013 – added only 2.7 million subs in 2013 from 5.1 million subs in 2012. • T-Mobile Q4 2013 • Sprint and AT&T hit worst by T-Mobiles new service plans, some impacts with Verizon.. 4
- 5. Challenges 5 • Umbrella or macro network designed to provide ubiquitous mobile broadband coverage. • Dense network of small cells that supply enormous quantities of BW in high-traffic areas most needed. • Network intelligence that ties those networks together.
- 6. Challenges • HetNet 3GPP Challenges • Deployment Dynamics – design and deployment process primarily field driven, where a cluster of small cells is designed and optimized by IT personnel in a matter of hours. • Real Estate – metro scale gov’t are restrictive about mounting wireless devices on their property. • Backhaul – achieve data rates at 99.9% can only be achieved by optical fiber. However small cell deployments are not cost effective for fiber as with the Macro. • Truck Rollout – mass deployment of small cells and Wi – Fi are only commercially viable if the installation and commissioning process is much simpler and faster than deploying macros. • Interference – small cells in a HetNet means that the cell site density is a couple of orders higher of magnitude than in macro networks – which will cause interference to the user. • Critical SINR determines data rates – high interference and high SINR results in slow data rates. • Handoff – significant increase in cell site density, the handoff between small cells occurs more often than the handoff between macro-cells – handoff algorithm has to be spot-on, fast and accurate. • More handoffs means more signaling traffic and for 4G LTE already traffic heavy due to smartphone users. • Potential network refuses data connection even with marginal users. 6
- 7. Challenges 7 • NetHet Wi-Fi – 3GPP Challenges • LTE Release 12 – and beyond LTE-B has now started within 3GPP. • User data rates in the multi-Gbps range locally and tens-of-Mbps range almost everywhere else. • Seamless handover and offload traffic steering are two of the major challenges.
- 8. Strategies 8 • SON Solution Providers • HetNets have to be designed, deployed and operated in a far more efficient manner than macro cell networks. • Lack of real estate for outdoor small cells – collocating multiple small cells may not be possible. • Separate spectrum band dedicated for small cell deployment to control and reduce handoff traffic from macro-cells. • Self-optimizing Network Algorithms (SON) to help automate installation, self- configuration, diagnosis and optimization of HetNets: • Network Planning and Deployment • Network Optimization • Network Operations
- 9. Opportunities 9 • HetNet Wi-Fi - 3GPP Seamless Integration Solution • Mobile Operators have three ways to enhance network mobile-broadband demand: 1. Enhance macro network - additional licensed spectrum, more antennas, and processing capabilities, etc. 2. Densify the macro network – total number of sites low, while network performance is less sensitive to traffic location. 3. Add capacity through small-cell deployment using low power nodes. • Wi-Fi is simply another RAT like 2G, 3G or 4G connected to the core cellular network. 11 22 33
- 10. Opportunities 10 • HetNet Wi-Fi -3GPP - LTE Intelligent Radio Access Selection, Real-Time Traffic Steering and Integration Core To Cell • A optimum and seamless transition user experience can only be achieved if Wi-Fi-selection decisions are based on information available from both 3GPP and Wi-Fi networks. • User-equipment mobility and location. • Total loading on both networks including cell load, transport load and processing. • Estimate of link rates in each network including radio link and transport. • Real-Time Traffic Steering is in constant visibility of the KPIs in both the Wi-Fi and the cellular network, an integrated Wi-Fi-3GPP can make informed, real-time traffic-steering decision. • End-to-End integration all the way from mobile packet core network to the individual cell or AP is required for a seamless user experience. • Planning, Provisioning and Scalability can be better achieved through collocation and integration with micro and pico cell reducing space, power and backhaul requirements.
- 11. Key Steps • Key Steps in the Integration of Wi-Fi - 3GPP • Design for an End-to-End Wi-Fi – LTE Integration • Deploy and Integrate HetNet - Wi-Fi and LTE in parallel or series – boost traffic capacity, service level and total cost of ownership with Wi-Fi on the RAT level and on-demand where needed as priority high traffic zones to enhanced QoS. • Plan and Provision for Scalability for on-demand traffic and convergence now for the future. • Implement Real-Time Traffic Steering Applications giving total control of the Operator over the Wi-Fi access selection as well as load – balancing to increase sub penetration and minimize churn. • Acquire uniform Wi-Fi devices to ensure consistent implementations for a rapid deployment. • Risk • Video now accounts for nearly 70% of data usage on the largest Carrier-Grade Wi-Fi networks and, by 2015, 90% of all internet traffic is predicted to be video. • Mobile Operators who don’t offer Carrier Wi-Fi may in effect be handing their subscriber relationships and the user experience to competing operators who do. 11
- 12. Key Steps • Considerations in the Integration of Wi-Fi with LTE • Ericsson Real Time Traffic Steering integrates Wi-Fi and cellular in both the core and Radio Access Networks (RAN). • Support and complements standards-based Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) which is proprietary. • ANDSF rules cover items such as user profile, timing, location and application usage. • Works the vendor's mobile radio access network, Wi-Fi access points and wireless LAN controller. • Constantly assesses KPIs in both the mobile 3GPP network and Wi-Fi network before shifting a user’s smartphone connection between networks. • SON access selection feature enabling load-balancing between Wi-Fi and 3GPP to optimize the average user experience. • Ericsson Carrier-Grade Wi-Fi • Indoor and outdoor APs • Controllers • Network Management 12
- 13. References and Research • Despite T-Mobile competition, AT&T Post Strong Q4 on Wider LTE Coverage and Low Subsidies, 1/29/2014; http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2014/01/29/despite-t-mobile-competition-att-posts-strong-q4-on-wider-lte-cov • Verizon Earnings Preview: Watching Impact of Subsidies and T-Mobile Competition in Q4, 1/17/2014; http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2014/01/17/verizon-earnings-preview-watching-impact-of-subsidies-and-t-mo • The Technological Future of Small Cells, 3/25/2014; http://www.ibwave.com/blog/the-technological-future-of-small-cells/ • The HetNet Bible(Small Cells and Carrier WiFi) – Opportunities, Strategies and Forecasts: 2013 – 2020 – With an Evaluation of DAS & Cloud RAN; https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1BLWB_enUS553US567&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=T • Wi-Fi In Heterogeneous Networks, Ericsson White Paper 6/2013; http://www.ericsson.com/res/docs/whitepapers/wp-wi-fi-in-heterogeneous-networks.pdf • Heterogeneous Networks, Ericsson White Paper 2/2012; http://www.ericsson.com/res/docs/whitepapers/WP-Heterogeneous-Networks.pdf • LTE Release 12, Ericsson White Paper 1/2013; http://www.ericsson.com/res/docs/whitepapers/wp-lte-release-12.pdf • It All Comes Back to Backhaul, Ericsson White Paper, 2/2012, http://www.ericsson.com/res/docs/whitepapers/WP-Heterogeneous-Networks-Backhaul.pdf • Small Cells, Big Challenge: A Definitive Guide to Designing and Deploying HetNets; http://hetnet.ixiacom.com/ • Wi-Fi Integration, Ericsson Review, 2/2011; http://www.ericsson.com/res/docs/2012/ER-WiFi-Integration.pdf • Carrier Wi-Fi: The Next Generation, 12/20/2013; http://www.ericsson.com/res/thecompany/docs/publications/ericsson_review/2013/er-ng-carrier-wifi.pdf • Achieving Carrier Grade Wi-Fi in the 3GPP World, Ericsson Review, 2/2012; http://www.ericsson.com/res/thecompany/docs/publications/ericsson_review/2012/er-seamless-wi-fi-roaming.pdf • Small Cells Technologies: The Evolution of Wireless Providers Solutions; Frost and Sullivan White Paper; www.frost.com 13
Editor's Notes
- Talking Point. When the mobile device is selecting the access network, it can’t determine whether the Wi-Fi network is going to provide a better link rate than the 3GPP network. It cannot know whether there is sufficient backhaul capacity to deliver the expected service either. If operators use Wi-Fi as a stand-alone capacity-offload solution alone, they are going to limit their ability to offer their subscribers a consistently high-performance, seamless mobile broadband experience. They will also lose control over their relationship with a growing proportion of their customers and potentially miss out on new business opportunities. The classic example is when a mobile device enters a building with both Wi-Fi and 3G coverage: even if the Wi-Fi coverage is poor and the 3G coverage is good, the device may still select the Wi-Fi network. Such device-based access selection can lead to a significant degradation in data rate provided to the user, unless and until the user moves closer to the Wi-Fi access point (AP). On top of this, there is always a risk that the Wi-Fi network being joined is not what it claims to be or offers poor security, or that the user would actually get a better signal and data rate by staying connected to the mobile cellular data network. When the mobile device is selecting the access network, it can’t determine whether the Wi-Fi network is going to provide a better link rate than the 3GPP network. It cannot know whether there is sufficient backhaul capacity to deliver the expected service either. Meeting mobile broadband expectations with maximum efficiency as the Networked Society takes shape, providing the right user experience is a top priority for operators. Bandwidth-hungry applications common on smartphones, tablets and other connected devices are driving figures for data traffic sky high. The opportunity for operators arises from people, business and society depending on their devices, mobile broadband access and high-performance networks. Heterogeneous networks, commonly known as HetNets, and efforts to improve and densify existing mobile broadband infrastructure together with added small cells are important when meeting ever-increasing user expectations. Overall, mobile data traffic is expected to grow tenfold by 2016 [3]. Users are increasingly aware of the connection speed, data rate, coverage and availability of their mobile broadband services. To ensure that subscribers remain satisfied, operators must deliver a seamless performance to the customer from end-to-end.
- Talking Point. The main driver for the heterogeneous network vision – that Wi-Fi, along with other small-cell technologies, should become an integral part of a complete mobile-broadband solution – is to deliver high-quality services wherever users need them. By the end of 2018, it is estimated that the typical mobile PC will generate 11GB, a tablet 3.1GB and a smartphone around 2GB per month. The current mobile-data explosion is largely being driven by smartphones, which have provided mobile operators with a welcome boost to average revenue per user (ARPU). Total smartphone subscriptions reached 1.2 billion at the end of 2012 and are expected to grow to 4.5 billion in 2018. Mobile data traffic is also expected to rise 12-fold between 2012 and 2018, as shown in Figure . Mobile video traffic is expected to grow 60 percent annually until the end of 2018. The amount consumed per user is also growing rapidly. At the end of 2012, the average mobile PC generated approximately 2.5GB per month versus 450MB per month produced by a high-traffic smartphone, with the difference partially related to screen size. By the end of 2018, it is estimated that the typical mobile PC will generate 11GB, a tablet 3.1GB and a smartphone around 2GB per month [1].
- Talking Point. The Asian markets are higher than US markets, and the DAS market mix adoption rate looses traction over the life cycle of the small cell mix with the introduction of new product technology to densify small cell. Small Cells and Wi-Fi trends are in a growth.
- Talking Point. AT&T’s lag in LTE coverage has been a concern over the past several quarters, with its post paid net adds shrinking in comparison to industry leader Verizon.
- Talking Point. To ensure that subscribers remain satisfied, operators must deliver a consistent, high-quality and seamless mobile broadband experience that meets or exceeds their expectations. As Figure 1 shows, achieving subscriber satisfaction will require improved data performance overall and at cell edges, especially indoors where about 70 percent of today’s data traffic is generated. Figure 2, the key is to find the right mix – in other words where to improve, densify and add to meet future capacity and coverage demands. How and when to use each tool depends on the existing networks (macro site density), the availability of backhaul (whether owned or leased), the availability of spectrum (whether licensed or unlicensed), estimated traffic volumes, and required data rates, as well as the technical and economic feasibility of each individual approach. Backhaul Challenge. As small cells complement improved and densified macro cells, and the number of radio nodes increases, backhaul becomes more important. Backhaul performance not only affects the data throughput available to users, but also the overall performance of the radio-access network; high-performance backhaul with low latency enables tighter coordination between nodes, which in turn uses available spectrum more efficiently. Site Challenge. To obtain maximum value from the radio spectrum, operators will need flexible base-station site solutions that allow for ideal placement of the radio site. Operators may need to consider alternatives for site location by connecting with new partners such as municipalities, retailers and external agencies rather than traditional deals made with landlords and tower-approval committees. Scalability Challenge. From a radio network perspective, the complexity of a heterogeneous network composed of multiple layers and radio technologies could easily become unmanageable unless it is carefully designed. And to keep the system secure and protect user data, managing access for many new nodes and providing credentials for both authentication and encryption of traffic and signaling data is vital. Spectrum Challenge. Operators also need to look for new ways to expand radio spectrum availability, for example by deploying Wi-Fi using unlicensed or license-exempt spectrum. The performance of a heterogeneous network depends greatly on the degree of radio coordination. If the underlaid small-cell layer is uncoordinated, spectrum needs to be partitioned to avoid interference, which leads to inefficient use of radio spectrum and a direct loss in achievable user bit-rates. Coordinated embedded cells also increase capacity so that only 30-50 percent as many smaller cells are needed to provide the same total network traffic and increase user bit-rates for devices limited by transmission power or interference by a factor of two to ten (source: Ericsson). The performance of coordinated embedded cells is enabled by efficient spectrum reuse across layers and radio coordination functionality.
- Talking Points. Today’s 4G mobile network macrocells are up to 100 feet high, and are typically located on rooftops, providing umbrella coverage to a large area. Conversely, outdoor small cells are typically found mounted on lampposts or sides of buildings, 10 to 15 feet above the ground and provide capacity to customers nearby using a much smaller footprint. Small cells are also found inside structures, providing coverage and capacity in reception areas, lobbies and store fronts, as well in enterprise offices on higher floors. The inclusion of small cells within HetNets, this new paradigm will offer an unprecedented set of challenges related to how they are planned, deployed, optimized and operated. Deployment Dynamics. RF optimization tools have to be self-optimizing and have to have self-healing capabilities without human intervention. That means having the ability to self-diagnose and fix most common network problems without human intervention. Because of the projected scale of small cell deployments, streamlining the approval process is going to be crucial in order to properly manage the deployments. Real-estate. Generally, municipalities tend to be restrictive and rarely allow more than one set of antennas/transmitters on street furniture. Likewise, for aesthetic reasons, building managers are reluctant to allow each carrier to mount their own cluster of in-building small cells. Operators now need to increasingly work together in order to deploy neutral host networks and maximize the limited amount of small cell real estate available to wireless network equipment. Backhaul. With LTE Advanced data rates reaching 1 Gb/s, there is only one technology currently capable of providing backhaul for those data rates at 99.999% (the so called “five nines”) reliability, and that is optical fiber. While macro cells may get fiber backhaul, the sheer number of small cells needed to get deployed is a near guarantee that only a fraction of them may be eligible for fiber backhaul. Extending fiber to all outdoor small cells is cost prohibitive, as it costs a few thousand dollars per meter in most metropolitan areas. An alternative solution at slower data rates is fixed wireless backhaul. Truck Rollout. Mass deployment of small cells is only commercially viable if the installation and commissioning process is much simpler and faster than deploying macrocells. Most low-power in-building small cells need to have plug-and-play installation, so that IT managers or building managers can complete the process themselves. Interference. When there are a large number of small cells in a HetNet, it means that cell site density is a couple of orders of magnitude higher than in macro networks. High cell density means that many sites will have their signal above the threshold at a mobile’s receiver. While being close to a cell site means that the serving signal is good (five bars), if a cell phone “hears” many non-serving cell sites, then it experiences a high level of interference. This is significant because signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) determines data rates, and high interference implies low SINR and slow data rates. Thus, without some kind of intelligent interference control or cancellation, the benefit of being close to a cell site quickly disappears even at a short distance away. Handoff. Because of the significant increase in cell site density, the handoff between small cells occurs much more often than the handoff between macrocells, so handoff algorithm has to be tight, fast and accurate. More handoff s mean that handoff signaling traffic significantly increases as well. Signaling traffic is already much heavier in 4G networks than in any previous networks because smartphone applications need to periodically communicate with websites to provide application updates. Therefore, adding more traffic for handoff signaling makes the possibility of reaching a signaling capacity limit in a cell a challenging reality. Once that happens, the network refuses data connections even though there may not be very many users running active data sessions. This effectively reduces network capacity and slows the average data rate per cell.
- Talking Point. These are some of the challenges operators are focusing their attention on when it comes to carrier Wi-Fi deployment. So for Wi-Fi, the objective is not to turn it into a 3GPP technology, but rather to figure out how to add 3GPP intelligence and control over Wi-Fi usage, so that all resources are used in an optimal way while delivering the best user experience. Some steps have already been taken to include Wi-Fi in mobile broadband solutions, such as EAP authentication. Some solutions are already supported by UEs, while others will be available shortly. But much more can be done. With these challenges in mind, the top three priorities for next generation carrier Wi-Fi are: traffic steering 3GPP/Wi-Fi – to maintain optimal selection of an access network so quality of experience can be ensured and data throughput maintained; authentication – to provide radio-access network security for both SIM- and non- SIM-based devices; and DPI, support for unified billing and support for seamless handover – achieved by integrating with the core infrastructure already deployed for 3GPP access. With the operator in control, and with Wi-Fi networks that are integrated with mobile radio-access and core networks, subscribers will experience high-performing mobile broadband that operates in a harmonized way. Operators will be able to control, predict and monitor the choice of connectivity, allowing them to optimize both the user experience and resource utilization across the entire network. LTE –A. possibility was created for transmission bandwidth beyond 20MHz and improved spectrum flexibility through carrier aggregation, and enhanced multi-antenna transmission based on an extended and more flexible reference-signal structure. Another extension was the introduction of relaying functionality – that is, the possibility of using LTE radio access not only for the access (network-to-terminal) link but also as a solution for wireless backhauling. The 3GPP is currently in the concluding stage of LTE Release 11. In addition to further refining some of the features introduced in Release 10, Release 11 includes basic functionality for coordinated multipoint (CoMP) transmission and reception, as well as enhanced support for heterogeneous deployments. The latter refers to the deployment of low-power network nodes under the coverage of on overlaid layer of macro nodes. In June 2012, a 3GPP RAN workshop about the Release 12 scope took place in order to prepare the next evolution step of LTE. At that meeting requirements and potential technologies were identified. [4]
- Talking Point. HetNets have to be designed, deployed and operated in a far more efficient manner than macro cell networks. Neutral Host Cell Sites/Neutral Host Network Operators. Because of the lack of real estate for outdoor small cells, collocating multiple small cells may not always be possible, and operators may be forced to house multiple wireless operators under one small cell enclosure. Such a cell site is called a neutral host cell site, and a strategy wherein wireless operators share a cell site is called a neutral host deployment. Large-scale neutral host deployment may give rise to a new class of wireless operators: neutral host network operators. They will be known as network operators despite the fact that they don’t hold spectrum, because they will plan, design, deploy and operate a cluster (or even a small network) of neutral host cell sites, and charge wireless spectrum holders, namely, macro mobile network operators, an operational monthly fee. Dedicated Spectrum Allocation for Small Cell Networks. Frequency reuse results in co-channel and adjacent channel interference. As the system load increases the level of interference will also increase. This increase in interference will cause the cell radii to shrink since the radio receivers will be subjected to interference in addition to the thermal noise. Once the cell radii shrink the users that are located near the edges of the cells will experience an unacceptable low QoS. However as the connections are drop the level of interference will decrease. To control and reduce handoff traffic to and from macrocells and to mitigate interference from macrocells, a separate spectrum band needs to be dedicated for small cell deployments. Having two separate spectrum bands would then separate a HetNet into two networks: a macro network and a small cell network. This would help control the traffic flow between the two, reduce overall interference in each network and also limit the handoff between the two. The FCC has recognized a need for a small cell spectrum band and has recently created an initiative to allow small cells to share 3.5 GHz spectrum band with satellite service, which may encourage carriers to adopt this strategy. Self-optimizing Network Algorithms. Self-optimizing network (SON) algorithms are a diverse group of algorithms that help automate installation, self-configuration, diagnosis and optimization of HetNets. Here are some of the more important SON algorithms. Network Planning and Deployment. These are self-configuring algorithms that enable plug-and-play self-installation with minimal network operations involvement. Network Optimization. These are algorithms that mitigate interference in real time. Network Operations. These are algorithms that minimize monitoring and adjustment, providing analysis and recovery of faults, automated upgrades, reconfiguration of surrounding cells after a cell site has failed and auto inventory reporting of components from all network elements. SON algorithms are critical for the success of complex networks such as HetNets. For SON to be widely adopted by network operators, its algorithms need to be standardized and interoperable. Another important standardization aspect is multivendor interoperability, which would guarantee seamless operation of network infrastructure equipment from different OEMs. Without standardization and interoperability, the economies of scale are not achievable and the full potential of HetNets may not be released.
- Talking Point. The main driver for the heterogeneous network vision – that Wi-Fi, along with other small-cell technologies, should become an integral part of a complete mobile-broadband solution – is to deliver high-quality services wherever users need them. Heterogeneous networks accomplish this by combining radio-access technologies (RATs) to boost peak capacity at hotspots and improve performance at cell edges and in buildings. This requires cost-efficient, easy-to-install radio solutions that complement the existing macro network in high-traffic areas. Mobile operators have three ways to enhance network capacity and coverage to meet growing mobile-broadband demand: Enhance macro network, densify the macro network and add capacity. However, in some high-traffic areas, typically where deploying new radio-network resources is more of a challenge (for example, in public areas such as airports, railroad stations, conference centers and hotel lobbies) it may not be feasible to improve or densify the macro network within the specific time, cost or spectrum constraints. Operators can then identify where they require additional capacity and add small, low-power cells to make use of both licensed and unlicensed bands, including the rollout of integrated Wi-Fi. With solutions that are scalable, integrated with both the core and radio access networks, and that enable good visibility and management of the user experience, Wi-Fi can be used to deliver all the same services available from the cellular data network. It maximizes the entire user experience by helping to deliver consistently high performance through the addition of a large amount of widely available unlicensed spectrum. This kind of integrated Wi-Fi-3GPP solution will enable network-based access selection and real-time traffic steering according to specific policies, applications and services, user mobility and local radio characteristics.
- Talking Point. In order to provide a high-performance experience for mobile-broadband users, operators need greater control over when a device uses the mobile cellular network and when it uses the operator’s Wi-Fi network, and which Wi-Fi network is used. Hence a need for real-time traffic steering applications and tools. Operator policy has been specified for some time in 3GPP – for example, through the interworking wireless local area network (iWLAN) specification – and has been augmented by Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF). The ANDSF and Hotspot 2.0 standards, where supported on specific devices, will also complement real-time traffic steering. In addition, the Wi-Fi Alliance has introduced its Hotspot 2.0 policy specifications. These policy tools go a long way to shifting control from the device to the network, but still cannot deal with the rapid changes in the radio environment experience by a typical mobile device in a multi-technology network. With comprehensive visibility of the KPI s in both the Wi-Fi and the cellular network, an integrated Wi-Fi 3GPP solution can make informed, real-time traffic-steering decisions, as shown in Figure . The beauty of this integrated approach is that even legacy devices can benefit from a better user experience.
- Talking Points. Design for an End-to-End Wi-Fi – LTE Integration Deploy and Integrate HetNet - Wi-Fi and LTE in parallel or series – boost traffic capacity, service level and total cost of ownership with Wi-Fi on the RAT level and on-demand where needed as priority high traffic zones to enhanced QoS. Plan and Provision for Scalability for on-demand traffic and convergence now for the future. Implement Real-Time Traffic Steering Applications giving total control of the Operator over the Wi-Fi access selection as well as load – balancing to increase sub penetration and minimize churn. Acquire uniform Wi-Fi devices to ensure consistent implementations for a rapid deployment.
- Talking Point. Ericsson Real Time Traffic Steering integrates Wi-Fi and cellular in both the core and Radio Access Networks (RAN). Ericsson Carrier-Grade Wi-Fi