[opendtv] Re: News: Cox Tests Voice, Video Over LTE Wireless Broadband
- From: Ron Economos <w6rz@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:28:39 -0800
It should be noted that Cox doesn't have very
much 700 MHz spectrum.
"Although Cox intends to use AWS and 700MHz spectrum
for its wireless strategy, it doesn't have lots of the latter.
The 14 "A" blocks it won cover 6.6 percent of the population,
while its 8 "B" blocks cover just 0.6 percent, suggesting that
they may need a partner with gobs of 700MHz real estate,
such as those of Verizon Communications Inc.
<http://www.lightreading.com/complink_redirect.asp?vl_id=5926> (NYSE: VZ
<http://www.lightreading.com/quote.asp?Account=lightreading&Page=QUOTE&Ticker=VZ>)
or AT&T Inc.
<http://www.lightreading.com/complink_redirect.asp?vl_id=502> (NYSE: T
<http://www.lightreading.com/quote.asp?Account=lightreading&Page=QUOTE&Ticker=T>),
to make a big play in that spectrum."
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=187038&site=cdn&;
http://wirelessstrategy.com/700maps.html
Ron
On 1/26/2010 5:22 AM, Craig Birkmaier wrote:
http://www.multichannel.com/article/445830-Cox_Tests_Voice_Video_Over_LTE_Wireless_Broadband.php?nid=2226&source=title&rid=5250536
Cox Tests Voice, Video Over LTE Wireless Broadband
Trials Of LTE Over AWS, 700-MHz Spectrum Conducted In Phoenix, San Diego
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 1/25/2010 2:20:41 PM
Cox Communications said it has successfully tested voice calling and
HD video streaming over wireless networks in Phoenix and San Diego
using fourth generation Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, although
the cable operator was tight-lipped on details.
In the trials, the Atlanta-based operator is using the Advanced
Wireless Spectrum (AWS) and 700-MHz spectrum that it acquired at
Federal Communication Commission auctions in 2006 and 2008. Cox spent
more than $550 million for those spectrum licenses to support its
wireless plans, which include wireless broadband, and the MSO has
confirmed it will spend more than that building out its 3G and 4G
networks.
Cox is not disclosing when it expects to offer LTE-based services.
LTE, which is the 4G wireless technology that has been picked by AT&T,
Verizon Wireless and other carriers, is capable of delivering downlink
speeds of more than 100 Megabits per second.
The operator worked with Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei Technologies, which
is supplying 3G CDMA base stations that can be upgraded to support
LTE. Alcatel-Lucent deployed an end-to-end LTE solution for the trial
in Phoenix that included Radio Access Network (RAN), Evolved Packet
Core (EPC) and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) components along with
associated professional services.
Cox's trials began in the fourth quarter of 2009 and are ongoing, said
spokeswoman Jill Ullman. The trial systems involve a number of cell
sites and the operator is testing the services at various distances.
Ullman confirmed that Cox tested the data services and "the
performance was in line with our expectations"; however, she said the
operator is not sharing the actual data rates at this time.
While Cox is testing 4G LTE technology in these markets, it is
initially deploying wireless services using the 3G CDMA standard in
Hampton Roads, Va., Orange County, Calif., and Omaha, Neb. The MSO
expects to commercially launch the services in March and is teasing
the through an ad campaign with the tagline "Unbelievably Fair." Cox
hasn't announced pricing or other details for the 3G services.
"On the heels of announcing our initial 3G wireless service
deployments, today's news demonstrates our equal commitment to 4G
services," Cox vice president of wireless Stephen Bye said in a
statement. "Through the LTE trials, we are utilizing the AWS and
700-MHz spectrum to test voice, data and video applications and
services and ultimately readying to deploy 4G wireless broadband
services to meet the needs of our customers. We are encouraged by the
success of the Phoenix and San Diego tests, which further validate our
decision to pursue 4G based on LTE, specifically the 3GPP Release 8
standard."
Cox said it selected Phoenix and San Diego markets for the 4G trials
because of the "advanced technology-orientation of its residential and
business customers, as well as the terrain and suburban density
variances of their geographies."
According to Cox, Bye will provide additional detail on the operator's
LTE tests in a Feb. 18 session at the Mobile World Congress conference
in Barcelona, Spain.
Other related posts:
