Adding Links to the 4G Value Chain

(Aug 13 2012) 4G , 4G Device , Applications , Connected Car , LTE , M2M , Mobile Broadband , Mobile Enterprise , Mobile Health

1. It’s all-IP, can deliver greater data rates at a lower ‘cost per bit’, is easier to manage, provides flexible architectural possibilities to cover even the most challenging of geographies and markets and is driving a continuous stream of more powerful and efficient devices. How could the value proposition for mobile network operators to deploy 4G technology be any more compelling?

    

   Collaborating for innovation.

   For a network operator, deploying 4G is an almost certain means of reaping the benefits of improved operational efficiencies and user experience. But for those operators who are committed to innovation the rewards and returns can be even greater.

   So what exactly is innovation for a mobile broadband operator? Verizon Wireless has adopted a rather inclusive definition for both its LTE Innovation Center and Application Innovation Center.

   Location, location, location… Verizon has strategically located its LTE Innovation Center in Waltham, Massachusetts, about 10 miles outside of Boston and its Application Innovation Center in San Francisco. Each center benefits from the obvious proximity to wireless industry clusters and access to some of the nation’s foremost universities. The LTE Innovation Center, under the direction of Praveen Atreya, Head of Verizon LTE Innovation Center and Director of Network Technology, recently celebrated its first year of making progress with 4G LTE.

   What is most impressive about Verizon’s investment in these innovations centers is the symbiotic relationships they enable. Both centers provide access to the operator’s multi-vendor 4G LTE network testbed along with the ability to replicate real-world cell coverage conditions. The operator goes even further by staffing each center with networks engineers and applications developers.

   Verizon has clearly concluded that there are benefits to collaboration and have opened their doors to tap the potential of innovation by sharing experience and expertise as well. Beyond the deeper technical pursuit of application development, network performance optimization, or user experience, the centers also include services for business development and project management.

   While independent of the innovation centers, Verizon Wireless, along with Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson and a handful of venture funds have created The 4G Venture Forum. The forum provides access to capital for start-ups looking to develop 4G products or applications.

   It’s just about everything an innovator might be looking for, from ideas to investors.

    

   Welcome to the machine.

   Sprint’s M2M Collaboration Center, located in Burlingame, California is another example of an innovation enabler. The 25,000 sq. ft. facility opened in October 2010 and is focused entirely on the development, certification and deployment of machine-to-machine solutions.

   Under the direction of Sprint CTO Stephen Bye, the Sprint Technology Development & Strategy team is dedicated to seeking out and directly engaging with start-ups and innovators working on emerging products, services and technology from around the globe. The center, with the support of team members, is intended to bring together application developers, system integrators, device/module manufacturers, solution providers, Sprint partners, and engineers to create proofs of concept and to ultimately ready them for submission for network testing.

   In the past having a new device certified for operation on a carrier’s network was often a frustrated, costly and time consuming task. Due to the smaller volumes and often “mission specific” nature of M2M devices the process was almost a barrier to innovation.

   Sprint’s approach to enabling innovation at the M2M Collaboration Center is to provide a fully equipped wireless lab in which to develop and demonstrate new M2M solutions. By providing the additional catalyst of access to Sprint’s technical resources, to guide and support innovators from concept to a marketable product, delivers real returns for Sprint and a much broader industry ecosystem.

    

   “Necessity, who is the mother of invention.”

   Plato’s view of innovation is just as applicable today as it was in his day. The necessity to do more with less, whether it’s spectrum, power, space or capital is surely a great motivator. As a motivator the EU Commission has proposed €80 billion funding program for research and innovation known as “Horizon 2020”. The program will begin in 2013 and run through 2020 and will include funding for ICT-specific developments like e-infrastructures for science, and key enabling technologies (KETs) such as micro-/nanoelectronics and photonics.

   According to Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission, the benefits of innovation can extend beyond the initial intention. “For example, the projects that underpin modern 3G and 4G mobile technology, produce new developments in energy efficient ‘organic LED’ lighting, or design robots to help elderly people lead independent lives.”

    

   Incubating success

   Also recognizing the benefits on the promotion of collaborative innovation is Vodafone. In a recent announcement Vodafone unveiled plans for a new technology and incubation center in East London Tech City, a technology hub locale that has attracted the likes of Cisco, Facebook, Google and Intel.

   “This exciting new centre will build on our existing Vodafone xone facility in Silicon Valley, giving cutting-edge British high tech start-ups access to the expertise and global reach of Britain’s largest ICT company,” said Siavash Alamouti, Vodafone Group Research and Development Director. Vodafone has stated that the new facility will provide technical expertise, financial assistance, logistical support and access to more the operator’s more than 400 million customers across its current 30 countries of operation.

   In operation for just over a year now, the Vodafone xone center targets innovative US-based start-ups looking to move quicky from concept to market. Similar to Verizon’s Innovation Centers, Vodafone’s xone is staffed with specialist in business development, network and device architecture, consumer electronics, payment and billing mechanisms, data analytics and content delivery.

    

   Why 4G innovation matters

   Innovations and advances in emerging wireless technology have demonstrated an ability to generate returns often far beyond the intent of their originators. 4G technology is bridging the digital divide by providing broadband service to populations that previously have lacked basic telephone services let alone a connection to the Internet. Such access has fostered quality of life improvements for isolated and compromised communities by delivering improvements in education, health care and commerce.

   These same innovations are providing new employment opportunities in not only in the 4G ecosystem but also across a broader number of ICT domains where the technology is enabling the creation of new products and services. From connected cars, mobile health, mobile payments and public safety applications, to developments in the underlying silicon and software, 4G is delivering more than just the promise of the all-IP, fully mobile network of the future.

   By: Andy Mitchell, Editor, 4G Trends

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