Test Vendors Ready for 3G LTE
Test Vendors Ready for 3G LTE
9th June , 2009
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US : With next-gen mobile networks based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology set to begin rolling out over the next year, suppliers of testing products and applications are gearing up for a quick ramp-up in demand for a full range of LTE test functionality, according to the latest report from Unstrung Insider , a paid research service from Unstrung and TechWeb's Light Reading.
LTE Tests for the Future examines applications in the emerging LTE testing market, including a comparative analysis of solutions. The report analyzes the types of test suites on offer and how those products will be applied to maximize LTE service levels, shorten development cycles, accelerate time to market, and optimize network operation and performance. It also examines how LTE testing vendors help their users achieve operational savings. Further, the report examines challenges the LTE testing market faces, trends in the industry, and how the economy is affecting the industry. Finally, it provides a competitive analysis of seven top suppliers of LTE testing products.
For a list of companies analyzed in this report, please see:
http://img.lightreading.com/uni/pdf/uni0609_companies.pdf
One of the largest challenges for LTE technology developers and service providers is meeting the market's sizable expectations, says Denise Culver, research analyst with Unstrung Insider and author of the report. "With some estimates placing LTE data rates at 100 Mbit/s downlink and 50 Mbit/s uplink, testing vendors must be able to meet the challenges of QoS, QoE, network coverage, and performance demanded by network operators," she notes.
Key findings of LTE Tests for the Future include:
- Carriers will use LTE to build out existing networks and upgrade old legacy equipment, rather than ripping and replacing.
- Femtocells are seen as one of the hottest trends expected in the LTE space for the next 12 to 18 months.
- Though the economy is not halting LTE production, most testing vendors believe there will be a slowdown in how quickly operators will deploy the technology.
- Although standards for LTE are not fully set, suppliers are offering pre-standard versions of LTE test suites.
- No one supplier has a dominant position this early in the LTE testing market.
LTE Tests for the Future is available as part of an annual single-user subscription (12 monthly issues) to Unstrung Insider, priced at $1,595. Individual reports are available for $900 (single-user license).