LTE Technologies, Services and Markets

Overview

This workshop is designed for a variety of roles in companies that now provide or have any involvement with mobile or fixed communications services. This includes senior executives who need to consider the technical impact of rolling out LTE; managers who need to ensure their teams are aware of the technical options for service delivery over LTE; regulators who require an appreciation of the technologies used in LTE; employees who need to clarify the great number of technical abbreviations and acronyms used in describing the LTE technology; and new recruits who need to understand rapidly the potential of this new technology and how it functions.

This workshop would be excellent for those new to the industry, those assuming new technical roles, those in induction programmes and those with an interest in learning more about this exciting technology.

On completion of this workshop the delegate will be able to:

• outline the evolutionary path being taken by 2G/3G networks and relate this to the capability objectives for LTE
• describe the basic structure and features of an LTE access and core network
• identify the key advantages provided by LTE compared with other mobile technologies
• discuss the main factors that affect the ‘speed’ of a mobile data connection and recognize the performance potential of LTE
• explain the importance of the all-IP and ‘flat’ architecture concepts that are a core feature of LTE
• discuss the methods provided to allow voice communication to take place via an LTE network
• outline the LTE rollout options for new and existing network operators and demonstrate an understanding of the cost implications for LTE
• discuss the likely set of users, services and markets on which the technology advantages of LTE can be brought to bear most readily
• list the main companies that will be involved in all aspects for supply and support for LTE equipment
  outline the role played by the wide range of Internet-based communications services and their relationship with LTE
• discuss the potential opportunities for network operators to implement network sharing agreements and
• outline some of the benefits and disadvantages
• list the key features of the emerging LTE Advanced network specification and identify applications for access speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s

In addition to gaining a good understanding of new LTE technology, attending this workshop will enable the delegate to deliver operational improvements and generate cost savings or reduce project timelines by:
improving network design, planning, operations and maintenance
avoiding the laborious search through specifications, standards and white papers, while benefiting from a practical analysis and interpretation of such documentation by experienced engineers
knowing better where to look to accelerate research and fact finding and facilitate earlier project completion
improving the equipment procurement process by better analysis and challenge of technical specifications and supplier responses, thus giving greater certainty to on-target performance and value-for-money purchasing
shortening the learning curve and speeding productive inputs from new team members and freeing more experienced employees’ time
evaluating a system’s capabilities effectively through improved knowledge, leading to superior operations and maintenance performance
providing greater confidence in the sale of equipment by anticipating customers’ technical requirements and being able to promote relevant superior equipment performance

and, after the course, Wray Castle’s unrivalled post-course support comes into effect.

Section 1 – 1 hour Activity and Presentation
What is LTE?
3G evolution
LTE standards
LTE service objectives
The LTE air interface
The LTE access network
The LTE core network
Advantages of LTE over other network types
Services over LTE networks

Section 2 – 1.25 hours Activity and Presentation
How Does LTE Work?
Connecting mobile devices to the network
Data connection speed
The LTE radio interface
Increasing data rates and cell capacity
The evolved node B
LTE core network elements
Centralizing services
Making voice calls in LTE
Connecting to the internet via LTE
Interworking with other network types
Network sharing
Implications for global roaming

Section 3 – 0.75 hour Activity and Presentation
How is an LTE Network Built?
LTE network elements
LTE cell coverage
Exercise – how many base stations will we need?
LTE rollout for existing GSM/UMTS operators
LTE rollout for other types of existing operator
LTE rollout for greenfield operators
Reuse of existing equipment
Upgrading user terminals
Network rollout timescales
Exercise – how much will an LTE network cost?

Section 4 – 0.75 hour Activity and Presentation
Who Are LTE’s Target Users?
Key features of LTE
Key target user types
Exercise – LTE’s target users

Section 5 – 0.75 hour Presentation
How is the LTE Market Developing?
LTE market segments
Standards bodies and industry forums
Regulators and spectrum issues
Network manufacturers
Terminal manufacturers
Testing and maintaining an LTE network
Operators
Network rollout timescales

Section 6 – 1 hour Activity and Presentation
Are There Alternatives to LTE?
2G evolution – EDGE enhancements
3G evolution – HSPA and HSPA+
Comparison of LTE and evolved 2G and 3G systems
The fourth generation (4G)
Other 4G systems
WiMAX
Wi-Fi and 4G
Using Wi-Fi for communications
Wi-Fi versus femtocells
Skype and other communications services

Section 7 – 1 hour Activity and Presentation
What Comes After LTE?
Exercise – timeline for evolution
Continuous evolution
Further 2G and 3G evolution
Decommissioning legacy networks
LTE Advanced
Future mobile broadband systems

This workshop has been developed for staff requiring an introduction to the fundamentals of LTE and its associated technologies. The workshop assumes no previous knowledge or technical expertise in LTE and is therefore suitable for those in non-technical roles or new to the telecommunications industry.

Along with a paper copy of comprehensive notes the delegate will receive an electronic version on CD. This provides delegates with an easily transportable and fully searchable reference tool, including all the colour detail of the workshop presentation.

Following attendance on any Wray Castle course the delegate will automatically become eligible for free post-course support. If a delegate has any questions relating to the course content, this service puts the delegate in direct e-mail contact with a Wray Castle expert.

This workshop is designed for instructor-led training. The practical and/or complex nature of the workshop is best delivered in a class where the Wray Castle expert trainer can demonstrate and explain the content using a variety of specialist delivery techniques.

Delegates wishing to learn more about the commercial or technology aspects of converged communications should attend either or both of Wray Castle’s Telecoms – Today and Tomorrow Strategy/Technology Workshops. Specially created for non-technical professionals, these oneday workshops consider the service, business and technology opportunities and challenges for operators in a converged market.

LTE (Long Term Evolution) represents the next major evolutionary step for GSM/UMTS networks. It has the potential both to raise the network access capabilities to a new level and to move operators much closer to the total communications converged network vision.

This workshop provides a high-level insight into the design aims, operation and business implications of both the new radio access technology LTE and its associated all-IP core network, the EPC. The workshop covers the many new possibilities for service types and market sectors that LTE brings along with consideration of the requirements for service provision.

This intensive one-day workshop comprises seven elements that guide the delegate through technology specifics, system capabilities and market applicability for LTE. This is achieved through a carefully assembled combination of easy to absorb information and thought provoking class exercises. The workshop begins with a description of what LTE is and what it is intended to do. This is then developed through theory and exercise work enabling delegates to think critically and constructively about who would use LTE, how they would use LTE and how LTE fits into a wide range of telecommunications market scenarios.

Prerequisites

This workshop is designed for non-technical professionals who may have little or no technical background. However, any knowledge delegates have of the telecommunications market may be useful in workshop activity sessions.