Next-Generation Wireless Overview & Outlook Update 7/25/20

By Mark Goldstein, International Research Center
markg@researchedge.com, http://www.researchedge.com/
Presentation Available at http://www.slideshare.net/markgirc
© 2020 - International Research Center (V02B - 7/25/20)
Next-Gen Wireless Overview & Outlook

U.S. Wireless Spectrum Overview
• The FCC regulates the use of radio frequencies within the U.S., assigning usage rights and conditions to
various bands across geographic sub-areas. ITU & WRC regulate internationally. Radio frequency physics
favor lower frequencies for greater signal carrying distance as well as structure & foliage penetration.
• Most non-governmental frequencies are licensed, often via auctions to commercial entities and reserved
exclusively for their use. Cellular (& unlicensed Wi-Fi) dominate mobile connectivity. Microwave &
millimeter wave are commonly used for broadcast, backhaul & PtP. FCC considering additional licensed
bands for commercial/public purposes by reallocating spectrum and at times relocating existing uses.
• A limited amount of unlicensed spectrum is currently available, however more is being considered or
processed for release. 902-928 MHz has been used for consumer and commercial devices since 1993. The
explosion of Wi-Fi is the result of developments in 2.4 & 5 GHz unlicensed bands. Mobile uses and the
emergence of IoT is driving demand for more unlicensed bandwidth & bringing new delivery protocols.
CBRS at 3550-3700 MHz is of special interest as a new shared unlicensed option. The FCC is considering
enabling flexible use of the 3.7-4.2 GHz Band. White spaces wireless will share unlicensed, reallocated
500-700 MHz TV bands reaching to 10 km NLOS now & up to 100 km in the future, outstanding for WRAN.
10 KHz 1 MHz 100 MHz 10 GHz 1THzDC 100 Hz

Cellular 2G, 3G, 4G & 5G Spectrum
United States Carrier Frequency Use
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_frequencies_in_the_US
Qualcomm

The Road to 5G from 1980s to 2020s and Beyond
Source: Viavi 2019
5G
2020s
● Up to 2 Gbps, MU-MIMO
● Spectrum & Protocol Agility
● New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U)
● Cloud-Native, Slicing Enabled
& Programmable

Source: Nokia-Omdia 2020
Communication Service Provides (CPS)

5G Capabilities and Applications
Source: Huawei Technologies 2019

5G Bandwidth & Latency Drivers by Use Case
Source: Openet
Marketing 2018

FCC licenses 850 & 1900 MHz bands at auctions for specific U.S. geographic subareas,
2G delivers data at up to 1 Mbps & 3G to 15 Mbps, 4G also utilizes 600, 700, 1700,
2100 & 5200 MHz bands for up to 50 Mbps, 5G uses same bands at up to 3 Gbps,
24/28/37/39/47 GHz spectrum auctions under consideration, Cognitive radio capabilities
with agile multiband frequency use increasingly practical & continually advancing
Source: CB Insights
Low-Band, Mid-Band and Hi-Band (mmWave) Uses

5G LTE Advanced
& New Radio (NR)
Low-Band
Mid-Band
High-Band

Source: Cabling Installation & Maintenance 7/18
Macro and Small Cell Deployment for Cellular Densification

The Role of Wireless Communications and Their Distinguished 5G Traits
https://www.comsoc.org/publications/ctn/wireless-communication-and-pandemic-story-so-far

5G Releases 16 & 17 Key Themes, New Functionalities & Timeline
Source: Nokia 2020
Source: Ericsson 2020
5G Timeline

Source: ACG Research & Red Hat

Open Operator Software Architecture
Source: ACG Research & Red Hat

OpenAirInterface LTE Software Stack
https://www.openairinterface.org/
https://gitlab.eurecom.fr/oai/openairinterface5g/wikis/home

Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN)
Mobile networks have tens of thousands of distributed radio sites for
coverage and capacity demands.
Radio technology is complicated latency, reliability and throughput
Cloud RAN complements traditional networks with solutions that use
state of the art virtualization and cloud technologies enabling:
Architectural Flexibility
Operational Efficiencies
Dynamic Service Delivery
New operational models are needed to capture business opportunities
with technologies like 5G.
Bandwidth and Latency Demands
Create Front Haul Challenges

5G Cloud RAN Key Market Drivers
5G Cloud RAN Key Market Drivers
https://www.o-ran.org/

Service Enablement Platform for RAN Programmability & AI/ML
Edge Computing Addresses Growing Need of 5G Market Opportunities
https://www.onap.org/

http://www.spectrosort.com/in-building-solution.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributed_antenna_system

ED2 Smart 5G Repeaters & Antenna Systems
http://www.ed2corp.com/making5ghappen/
https://www.freefall5g.com/

https://www.adn.com/business-economy/2019/06/19/gci-to-build-
5g-wireless-network-for-faster-internet-service-in-anchorage/
5G & a multitude of other
transceivers along with their
antennas will be mounted
on a variety of vertical
assets including towers,
monopoles, streetlights,
electric poles & towers,
building sides &rooftops, as
well as on other available
vertical structures

https://www.att.com/5g/coverage-map/
Approximate AT&T 5G coverage, including coverage available by August 2020.
AT&T 4G & 5G Cellular Coverage Map
AT&T 5G
LTE & Other

https://cellsitesolutions.com/portfolio-view/cows/

FirstNet Flying Cell on Wings (COWs) & Aerostats
https://about.att.com/story/2019/
fn_hits_one_million.html

Google's sister company Loon is deploying a
fleet of 35 solar-powered balloons that will
provide 4G & 5G wireless broadband service
service spanning nearly 31,000 square miles
across western and central parts of Kenya,
including its capital, Nairobi and remote areas
by floating on stratospheric winds. This is
Loon's first non-emergency, commercial
Internet service. Previously the company
provided emergency-only Internet access in
response to disasters such as the 2017
Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the 2019
earthquake in Peru. (7/9/20)
Google Loon Stratospheric Balloons
https://www.dezeen.com/2020/07/09/loon-balloon-powered-internet-service-kenya/ https://loon.com/

Ahead of Hurricane Michael’s SE U.S. landfall in 2018, AT&T mobilized 32 cells-on-wheels and cells-on-
light-trucks, seven emergency communications vehicles and emergency communications portables,
one drone-based cell (a flying COW), and one hazmat and mobile command center.

V2X - IEEE 802.11p
Uses unlicensed 5.9 GHz ITS
frequencies for short-to-medium
range vehicle safety & operations
Next Generation
Dedicated Short
Range
Communications
(DSRC) for
Intelligent
Transportation
Systems (ITS)
vehicle safety &
operations

Automotive DSRC Technology over V2X
http://www.newsandpr.com/2018/04/automotive-dsrc-technology-market-professional-survey-report-2018/
Next Generation Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC)
for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Vehicle Safety & Operations

https://www.qualcomm.com/products/automotive/car-to-cloud

IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi Wireless Overview
HaLow
White-Fi
WiGig
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
IEEE 802.11 Variants,
Frequencies &
Ranges
Current Wi-Fi LAN/WAN Characteristics
https://wireless-home-network-made-
easy.com/how-does-wifi-work.html
≤10km≤1km≤250m≤100m
/ax
6 GHz
6E

Wi-Fi 6E Distinguishing Characteristics
https://wballiance.com/

Source: Qualcomm 2020
Wi-Fi 6E Tri-Band Adds 6 GHz Channels & Capabilities
2.4GHz 6GHz

https://www.microsoft.com/en-
us/research/project/self-organizing-
wireless-mesh-networks/
https://www.cablelabs.com/community-wi-fi-a-primer
Self-Organizing
Wireless Mesh Networks

K-12 Distance Learning Community Solution
Source: Insight & Sierra Wireless 2020
https://www.sierrawireless.com/
products-and-solutions/routers-
gateways/mp70/

White Mountains Area Detail
Pinetop-Lakeside
Public Library Detail
https://azland.maps.arcgis
.com/apps/webappviewer/
index.html?id=20dd52ea2
41e42f0932ac1a27580f3e0
SSID?
Arizona Public
Wi-Fi Hotspots Map

IEEE 802.11ac Wi-Fi Wireless WAN Example
Ubiquiti Networks airMAX Application
https://airmax.ubnt.com/
Source: Ubiquiti Networks

Wi-Fi Augmented Location Tracking
Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS, also abbreviated
as WiPS or WFPS) is a geolocation system that
uses the characteristics of nearby Wi-Fi hotspots
and other wireless access points to discover where
a device is located. It is used where satellite
navigation such as GPS is inadequate due to
various causes including multipath and signal
blockage indoors, or where acquiring a satellite fix
would take too long. Such systems include
assisted GPS, urban positioning services through
hotspot databases, and indoor positioning
systems. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_positioning_system
https://www.i-webservices.com/blog/mobility/mobile-apps-
beacons-vs-gps-vs-wifi/
GPS + Cellular + Wi-Fi + Beacons Location Tracking
Indoor Positioning System (IPS)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoor_
positioning_system
Hybrid Positioning System
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_
positioning_system
Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_
low_energy_beacon

IEEE 802.11 Wireless Evolution & Outlook
IEEE 802.11 Variant Tech & Spectrum Apps & Notes
IEEE 802.11abg Wi-Fi Legacy protocols on unlicensed 2.4
& 5 GHz bands to 600 Mbps to 100+
m outdoors
Baseline Wi-Fi capabilities for APs & CPE,
Overall Wi-Fi performance may be limited
by legacy devices & interference
IEEE 802.11n Wi-Fi 4 Adds MIMO streams to abg for
focusing transmissions to 250 m
Great advance in Wi-Fi performance for
multi-antenna APs & CPE
IEEE 802.11ac
Wi-Fi 5
Higher performance protocol on
unlicensed 2.4 & 5 GHz + other
bands up to 3.5 Gbps
Downlink MU-MIMO, Mature, widely
available advanced Wi-Fi performance &
capabilities in base stations, APs & CPE
IEEE 802.11ax
Wi-Fi 6/6E
Highest performance protocol on
unlicensed 2.4, 3.5, 5 & 6 GHz bands
+ other bands up to 10.5 Gbps
Wi-Fi 6 spec maturing, commercial
equipment & deployments in progress,
Full MU-MIMO, OFDMA & WPA3 security
Next Gen Wi-Fi 6 GHZ & higher bands unlicensed &
possible cellular reallocation
IEEE 802.11k/v/r agile multiband pending,
Extreme High-Throughput (EHT) pending
IEEE 802.11p V2X Unlicensed 5.9 GHz ITS for short-to-
medium range, Next gen DSRC
Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) & Vehicle-to-
Everything (V2X) for safety & ops, C-V2X
IEEE 802.11af
White Space
White-Fi
Uses select unlicensed TV bands
from approx. 470-700 MHz to 600
Mbps up to 25 miles (long distance)
NLOS, Nominal cost for use of SAS
geo database per device
White-Fi, White Space Wireless or Super
Wi-Fi, Managed by cognitive radio tech &
SAS geo database dynamically assigning
channels for use, IEEE 802.22 emerging for
WRAN up to 60+ miles
IEEE 802.11ah
HaLow
Uses unlicensed 902-928 MHz UHF
frequencies up to 100 Kbps to 1 km,
up to 8K low power devices per AP
WWAN supporting bulk M2M & IoT/IIoT
communications for long-range, low-data
rate applications
IEEE 802.11ad
WiGig
Uses unlicensed 60 GHz ISM band
for up to 7 Gbps up to 5 m range
(within a room)
Optimized for short-range media & high-
bandwidth apps, IEEE 802.11ay will
eventually extend to 20+ Gbps
Source:
International Research Center

Source: Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) Alliance
Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS)

Wireless Spectrum: Frequencies & Tiers
(SAS = Spectrum Allocation Server)
Mobile Experts
https://www.leverege.com/blog
post/what-is-cbrs-lte-3-5-ghz
3.5 GHz Band

Wireless Opportunities
CBRS Alliance’s OnGo
(https://www.cbrsalliance.org/)
improves wireless coverage and
capacity on a massive scale, making
it ideal for in-building, public space
and IoT/IIoT wireless needs
MulteFire Alliance
(https://www.multefire.org/)
combines the high performance of
LTE with the simple deployment of
Wi-Fi
Neutral Host Network Provider with OnGo Neutral Host Network Provider with OnGo
New Entrant MVNO Capacity
Improvement Business Model
Graphics: Mobile Experts
https://www.mobile-experts.net/

CBRS Alliance Overview
+ Adopter &
Advisor Members
https://www.cbrsalliance.org/
https://www.cbrsalliance.org/why-ongo/

https://www.cbrsalliance.org/specifications/
https://www.cbrsalliance.org/
https://www.cbrsalliance.org/why-ongo/
https://www.wirelessinnovation.org/

Ruckus Q910 CBRS Outdoor LTE Access Point
https://www.commscope.com/product-type/enterprise-
networking-carrier-wi-fi-cbrs/cbrs-ongo/q910/
9.5” x 12.5” x 4”

https://www.commscope
.com/product-
type/enterprise-
networking-carrier-wi-fi-
cbrs/cbrs-ongo/

White Space Wireless Spectrum & Opportunities
thinkd2c
https://www.carlsonwireless.com/

https://www.carlsonwireless.com/
White Space Markets & Verticals
IEEE 802.11af (White-Fi) uses select unlicensed bands from approx. 470-700 MHz to 600 Mbps to 10 km
NLOS for WRAN, up to 100 km in the future with IEEE 802.22. White-Fi uses a TV White Space Database
(geo database) to manage spectrum use by unlicensed white space devices by geographic area with SAS.

Base Station
CPE Unit
https://www.carlsonwireless
.com/ruralconnect/

Free Space Optics (FSO) Point-to-Point Solutions
A photophone receiver and headset, one half of Bell &
Tainter's optical telecommunication system of 1880
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-space_optical_communication

McKinsey Global Institute 2020
Internet of Things (IoT)/Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
Remote Work/Homework, Telehealth, Public Safety
Smart Homes/Buildings/Spaces/Cities/Regions

Source: Teradata Corporation
Internet of Things Basics

Source: Postscapes
http://postscapes.com/

https://cmte.ieee.org/futuredirections/2020/03/20/personali-digital-twins-role-in-epidemics-control-iii/
Smartphones are Brimming with an Ever-Growing Number of Sensors
Anticipate Addition Of:
Accelerometer, Motion
Magnetometer, Gyroscope
Imaging Radar, Gestures
Health & Medical Sensors
Gas/Environmental Sensors
IR, Optical Spectroscopy
AR/VR/Mixed Headsets
Bluetooth Accessories
USB
Headset

http://internetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com/

http://visioforce.com/smarthome.html
SECURITY

Smart Building IIoT & Control Applications
https://modius.com/smartbuildinganalytics/

Source: GSA
Source: Business Insider
Bluetooth Low
Energy Beacon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B
luetooth_low_energy_beacon

Source: Wireless Broadband Alliance 2019

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Potential Applications

Source: Wireless Broadband Alliance / LoRa Alliance 2019

Source: Center for Digital
Government & Cisco

Smart City Data Gathered from Many Source
and Disseminated to Many Users
Source: Autonomous Vehicle Technology Magazine 6/20

IoT Solutions Architecture
Source: TechBeacon (https://techbeacon.com/4-stages-iot-architecture)

Source: Topio Networks 2020
https://www.gecurrent.com/

https://www.boschsecurity.com/us/en/solutions/
video-systems/solutions/ip-3000i-cameras/

https://www.oilandgaseng.com/articles/
intelligent-edge-computing-at-the-
wellhead-improves-performance/
https://www.atomiton.com/

https://www.azidp.com/the-smart-region/
Center for Smart Cities
and Regions (CSCR)
https://ifis.asu.edu/cont
ent/center-smart-cities-
and-regions
Arizona Smart City/Smart Region Initiatives
Pima Association
of Governments
(PAG)
http://www.pagregion
.com/Default.aspx?ta
bid=1356
Intel Smart City
IoT Solutions
https://www.intel.com/
content/www/us/en/int
ernet-of-things/smart-
cities.html
Internet of Things
(IoT) Committee
https://www.aztechco
uncil.org/get-
involved/committees/
https://smartchallenges.
asu.edu/
http://www.big
datasw.org/
https://www.
azmag.gov/
https://www.azcom
merce.com/iam/
https://www.azidp.com/
Smart Region
Consortium
https://www.greaterphx
connective.com/

Personal Area Networks (PANs)
RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, Zigbee, LiFi & More
Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWANs)
Long-range IoT/IIoT data collection will be a high device volume, high-growth
opportunity at low data rates requiring using licensed or unlicensed spectrum. All of
these LPWAN variants support health monitoring, smart homes/buildings/cities &
regions, mobile lifestyle, transportation, energy, etc. A number of LPWAN approaches
will play out with IEEE 802.11ah (HaLow) & LoRaWAN likely to dominate, augmented by
cellular data services & use of other LPWANs for select situations.
IEEE 802.11ah - HaLow uses unlicensed 902-928 MHz frequencies, Supports
bulk M2M & IoT/IIoT communications at 100 Kbps to 1 km for up to 8,192 low-
power devices per AP
LoRaWAN - Unlicensed 902-928 MHz in NA at 22 Kbps at very long range (city
wide coverage) with deep indoor coverage for IoT/IIoT
Sigfox - Unlicensed 915 MHz (in NA) to 100 bps up to 40 km for broad, low-
speed reach
NB-IoT (or LTE-M2) - Narrowband (NB) cellular for LPWAN to 250 Kbps, Mobile
operators need new equipment to utilize
LTE Cat M1 - Cellular for LPWAN to 1 Mbps, more easily integrates to existing
cellular deployments

https://www.bluetooth.com/specifications/bluetooth-core-specification/bluetooth5

Wireless IoT Connectivity Highly Fragmented Market
Source: Qorvo 2019

IoT Connection Technologies Operating Range
Source: Keysight Technologies with Added Elements by International Research Center
- CBRS
- 802.11ax
Added
- 802.22
(White Spaces)
Added- V2V & V2X

● Smart City/Region
● Smart Agriculture
● IoT/IIoT Data
● Adds per International Research Center

https://www.hpe.com/us/en/servers/edgeline-systems.html
HPE Edgeline Converged Edge Systems

Understanding Microsoft’s 5G and Edge Computing Strategy
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/solutions/low-latency-edge-computing/
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/networking/edge-zones-overview

Medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites are
located between LEO and GEO satellites
at 6,300 to 12,500 miles. 10-18 are
required for continuous global coverage.
Lower latency (150 ms).
Low earth orbit (LEO) satellites are
closest to users (300-1200 miles) but
require 40-70 satellites for full coverage.
Low latency (10 ms).
Geosynchronous (GSO) satellite orbit (22,236
miles) rotates at the same speed as the
Earth’s rotation. Three satellites can provide
global coverage. 300 ms latency, which can
support most applications.
• Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO) is a
special case of GSO in which satellites circle
the Earth above the Equator and appear to
be stationary over a fixed position.
Types of Communications Satellites and Orbits
ITU Satellites
Spectrum
Allocations
https://sia.org/

Satellites Provide a Variety of Mobile & Fixed Communications Services
Source: ESOA/SIA 2018

Cellular Backhaul by Satellite
https://www.hughes.com/solutions/government-
and-defense/cellular-backhaul

https://www.viasat.com/
https://corpblog.viasat.com/

https://www.globalstar.com/
en-us/products/personnel-
safety/sat-fi2

Off-Grid Community Wi-Fi Terminal (OGCWFT) Project
http://engineeringclinic.
arizona.edu/design-day-
awards
http://engineeringclinic.arizona.edu/

AT&T Satellite Cell on Light Trucks
(SatCOLTs) for Remote FirstNet Access
https://insidetowers.com/cell-tower-news-colts-
trotted-out-to-navajo-nation-during-pandemic/
https://mct.pelsue.com/
https://squiretechsolutions.com/
mobile-satellite-trailer/
Mobile
Connectivity
Trailer
https://www.skycasters.com/

Mark Handley/University College London
SpaceX launched and
deployed their first 60
500 lb. Starlink Internet-
providing small satellites
from the nosecone of a
Falcon 9 rocket in May
2019. After 9 launches,
there are 540 in orbit as of
7/10/20 heading to 10K+.
https://www.starlink.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Starlink

Satellite Ground Network Digitization High-Level Framework
Source: Northern Sky Research 2020

The Exponential Curve of Technological Innovations
Leading Up to the Singularity
https://www.kurzweilai.net/the-technological-singularity
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Singularity_Is_Near
https://golfcharliepapa.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-three-singularities-in-our-future.html

Connectivity Technologies Are Taking Strides Forward
Source: McKinsey Global Institute 2020

Source: Arizona Strategic Enterprise Technology Office (ASET) 2013
An example of a tactical model being developed and promoted
in Arizona is where middle mile fiber is available or freshly
deployed in highway ROW to feed towers from which mobile
and fixed wireless broadband can be distributed to nearby
communities and populations.

Broadband Coverage & Asset Mapping
FCC Broadband Maps - https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/maps/
Fixed Broadband Deployment - https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/#/
Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA)
Act enacted on 3/23/20 driving broadband mapping reform
FCC Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) -
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/systems-utilities/antenna-structure-registration
SCADACore Cell Tower Map -
https://www.scadacore.com/tools/rf-path/cell-tower-map-united-states/
Fiber Locator (CCMI) - https://www.fiberlocator.com/solutions/fiberlocator-online/
Metro, Middle Mile, Long-Haul Fiber Networks (with caveats)
Lit Buildings, COs & Data Center Details, Submarine Cable
Cell Tower Locations (>500K U.S.) & Major Wireless Provider Coverage
Subscriptions start at $3,800/year
ArcGIS Broadband Access Data Hub -
https://hub.arcgis.com/datasets/74c0d7f73b0d45cbbde2348533ece62c_150
Selected Federal & Regional Broadband Mapping Raw Data & Data Sets

Educational Broadband Services (EBS) Spectrum
U.S. FCC Broadband Radio Service & Education Broadband Service -
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/broadband-division/broadband-radio-service-education-broadband-service
2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window (to 8/3/20) - https://www.fcc.gov/25-ghz-rural-tribal-window
FCC Transforming the 2.5 GHz EBS Band Report (7/19) - https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-19-62A1.pdf
National EBS Association - https://nebsa.org/
EBS Spectrum Organization - http://www.ebsspectrum.org/
EBS on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_Broadband_Service
Source: EBS Spectrum Organization

FCC Millimeter Wave 70/80/90 GHz Service - https://www.fcc.gov/millimeter-wave-708090-ghz-service
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes-expanding-access-708090-ghz-spectrum-bands

https://www.ntia.doc.gov/report/2019
/annual-report-status-spectrum-
repurposing
https://www.ntia.doc.gov/category/
spectrum-management
https://www.fcc.gov/engineering-
technology/policy-and-rules-
division/general/radio-spectrum-allocation

Broadband Investor Costs and Benefits Calculations
Source: Blair Levin 2013
https://www.brookings.edu/experts/blair-levin/
How Do You Change the Math and Improve the ROI?

Flywheel of Fortune Rapidly Grows an ISP’s Business
Source: Ready.net (https://ready.net/) 2020

Wireless Technology & Spectrum Summary
Wireless Protocol Tech & Spectrum Apps & Notes
Cellular 2G, 3G,
4G, 5G & 6G
FCC licenses 850 & 1900 MHz bands at
auctions for specific geographic
subareas, 2G delivers data at up to 1
Mbps & 3G to 15 Mbps, 4G also utilizes
600, 700, 1700, 2100 & 5200 MHz bands
for up to 50 Mbps, 5G uses same bands
at up to 3 Gbps + 24/28 GHz & mmWave
(30-300 GHz) spectrum, 5G NR » 6G
All U.S. bands are licensed thru FCC
auctions, WW LTE convergence, 5G
standards maturing, Deployment requires
densification in urban areas adding small
cells/DAS for capacity, AT&T FirstNet
national public safety overlay deploying,
5G fixed wireless, frequency agility, lots
of tower builds & new fiber for backhaul
IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi
Variants
Legacy IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n to 600 Mbps
& IEEE 802.11ac/ax to 3.5+ Gbps on
unlicensed 2.4, 3.5, 5 & 6 GHz bands
shared among many users & a variety
of applications, Interference risks
Broad mature deployment for LANs &
WANs, Low-cost hardware, Emerging
IEEE 802.11ax provides up to 10.5 Gbps
with more efficient spectrum utilization &
increased throughput
Microwave Variety of licensed & unlicensed
spectrum bands from 1-90 GHz
Fixed Microwave Services point to point
for backhaul & direct broadband to 50 km
Citizens Broadband
Radio Service
(CBRS)
Recent reallocation of 3550-3700 MHz
for shared lightly licensed & licensed
(with priority) use of up to 7 10 MHz
channels, Shared with higher priority
users (U.S. Military Radar, Fixed
Satellite Systems) thru Spectrum
Allocation Server (SAS) geo database,
Further reach than 5 GHz Wi-Fi
LTE style protocols for voice & data,
Shared spectrum use with situation
awareness & dynamic allocation, CBRS
Alliance’s OnGo & MulteFire Alliance
protocols offer Neutral Host Network
Provider & MVNO models, Specs stable &
equipment reaching the market,
Expansion into 3.7-4.2 GHz possible
White Space
Wireless
IEEE 802.11af (White-Fi) uses select
unlicensed bands from approx. 470-700
MHz to 600 Mbps to 10 km NLOS for
WRAN, up to 100 km in the future with
IEEE 802.22
White-Fi uses a TV White Space Database
(geo database) to manage spectrum use
by unlicensed white space devices by
geographic area with SAS, Microsoft
supporting & doing trials
Source: International
Research Center 2020

Wireless Technology & Spectrum Summary (Continued)
Wireless Protocol Tech & Spectrum Apps & Notes
Short Haul Special
Purpose Networks
• Bluetooth - IEEE 802.15.1 at unlicensed 2.4
GHz to 1 Mbps to 30 m, Version 5.0
provides 2 Mbps at greater range, Low
Energy (LE), IoT/IIoT & mesh capabilities
• Zigbee - IEEE 802.15.4 at unlicensed 915
MHz (NA) & 2.4 GHz at up to 250 Kbps to
100 m, Low power, Suited for IoT/IIoT
• Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) at unlicensed
5.9 GHz ITS via IEEE 802.11p DSRC/C-V2X
• LiFi short-range data networking with light
• RFID/NFC - PAN for Logistics, POS & IoT
Bluetooth expanding beyond
connecting peripherals to
devices & computers to PAN &
LAN applications, Bluetooth &
Zigbee will both support health
monitoring, smart homes/
buildings/cities, mobile lifestyle,
transportation, energy, etc. with
M2M/IoT/IIoT sensor data
aggregation, V2X integrates
vehicles for safety & ops
Low-Power Wide-
Area Networks
(LPWANs)
• IEEE 802.11ah - HaLow uses unlicensed
902-928 MHz frequencies, Supports bulk
M2M & IoT/IIoT communications at 100
Kbps to 1 km for up to 8,192 low-power
devices per AP
• LoRaWAN - Unlicensed 902-928 MHz in NA
at 22 Kbps at very long range (city wide
coverage) with deep indoor coverage for
IoT/IIoT
• Sigfox - Unlicensed 915 MHz (in NA) to 100
bps up to 40 km for broad, low-speed reach
• NB-IoT (or LTE-M2) - Narrowband (NB)
cellular for LPWAN to 250 Kbps, Mobile
operators need new equipment to utilize
• LTE Cat M1 - Cellular for LPWAN to 1 Mbps,
more easily integrates to existing cellular
deployments
Long-range IoT/IIoT data
collection will be a high device
volume, high-growth
opportunity at low data rates
requiring low-cost
subscriptions, All of these
LPWAN variants support health
monitoring, smart homes/
buildings/cities, mobile lifestyle,
transportation, energy, etc., A
number of LPWAN approaches
will play out with IEEE 802.11ah
(HaLow) & LoRaWAN likely to
dominate augmented by cellular
data services & use of other
LPWANs for select situations,
Weightless specs
Source: International
Research Center 2020

Vertical Assets: Towers, Monopoles,
Streetlights & Buildings/Structures
Next-Gen Wireless Deployment Model
Microwave
Point to Point
Wi-Fi 6E
(IEEE 802.11ax)
White Space
(IEEE 802.11af)
LPWAN for
IoT/IIoT Data
Deliver backhaul to remote tower facilities
and broadband directly to end users over
great distances using licensed, lightly
licensed & unlicensed frequencies
Deliver Wi-Fi 6E to nearby CPE and mobile
devices using unlicensed frequencies as well
as meshing with nearby nodes for wider
spread public & private regional coverage
Deliver broadband over long distances (60+
miles) non-line-of-site (NLOS) over lightly
licensed 470-790 MHz former TV spectrum
Collect data with Low-Power Wide-Area
Networks (LPWAN) over V2X, LoRaWAN,
Sigfox, NB-IoT, HaLow &/or LTE Cat M1
Edge & Cloud Services
Source: International Research Center 2020
Cellular
Colocation
Enable expanded 4G/5G/6G cellular coverage
and densification including consumer voice
and data with agile cognitive radio devices,
FirstNet for public safety, C-V2X & IoT/IIoT
CBRS
Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) for
next generation services including LTE-type
mobile over lightly licensed 3.5 GHz spectrum

Next-Generation Wireless Overview & Outlook Update 7/25/20

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Next-Generation Wireless Overview & Outlook Update 7/25/20