Ethernet and IP RAN Capability Critical for Mobile Base Stations in 2008, Finds New ReportMobile operators require base stations that support native IP RAN transport and Ethernet ports to benefit from packet-switched transmission, finds Unstrung InsiderPRNewswire NEW YORK, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- With huge interest across the wireless industry in packet-switched backhaul networks, Ethernet and IP RAN capability will emerge as critical to mobile base station purchasing decisions in 2008, finds the latest report from Unstrung Insider (http://www.unstrung.com/insider), a paid research service of CMP's Light Reading (http://www.lightreading.com/). Ethernet-Capable Mobile Base Stations provides a systematic overview of equipment-supplier strategies for adding Ethernet and IP RAN capability to 2G and 3G base stations. The first Ethernet-capable base stations with support for native IP RAN protocols appeared on the market in 2007, with a small number of forward-looking Asian operators deploying the technology in live, commercial networks during the second half of the year. These are still isolated early adopters, however, and not yet reflective of the industry mainstream. Companies covered in this report include Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Huawei Technologies, Motorola, NEC, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel Networks, and ZTE. Taking maximum advantage of IP/Ethernet economics requires not just an upgrade to mobile backhaul networks, but also the emergence of compatible cell-site equipment, notes Gabriel Brown, Unstrung Insider Chief Analyst and the author of the report. "Cell sites can be Ethernet-enabled using specialized gateway equipment - a fairly common strategy today," Brown notes. However, in the near to medium term, operators will require base stations that support native IP RAN transport and present an Ethernet port to the network, if they're to derive the maximum benefit from packet-switched transmission." Key findings of Ethernet-Capable Mobile Base Stations include:
-- The first Ethernet-capable base stations, with support for both 2G and
3G IP RAN protocols, appeared on the market in 2007; more products
from all the major vendors are scheduled for general availability in
2008.
-- With traffic growth fastest in the existing 3G footprint (i.e., urban
centers), a strong retrofit market for Ethernet transport modules is
anticipated as operators upgrade existing base-station equipment.
-- Huawei leads the market in terms of commercially available IP RAN
capability and has full support for Ethernet across its base-station
portfolio; Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks, and
Nortel will all respond strongly in 2008.
Ethernet-Capable Mobile Base Stations provides valuable insight and analysis for a range of industry participants, including: -- Mobile operators evaluating the move to Ethernet backhaul and the
potential of 2G and 3G IP RAN technologies to reduce transmission
costs.
-- Wireline providers of backhaul services seeking insight into the
future transport capabilities of mobile base stations.
-- Wireless equipment vendors seeking an independent view of their
competitive positioning and a greater understanding of evolving
product requirements.
Ethernet-Capable Mobile Base Stations is available as part of an annual subscription (12 issues) to Unstrung Insider, priced at $1,595. Individual reports are available for $900. To subscribe, or for more information, please visit: http://www.unstrung.com/insider. For more information about Light Reading's other Insiders, please visit: http://www.lightreading.com/research. To request a free executive summary of the report, or for details on multi-user licensing options, please contact: Jeff Claudino Director of Sales Insider Research Services 619-229-9940 claudino@lightreading.com Press/analyst contact: Dennis Mendyk Managing Director Insider Research Services 201-587-2154 mendyk@heavyreading.com About Light Reading Founded in 2000, Light Reading (http://www.lightreading.com/) is the ultimate source for technology and financial analysis of the communications industry, leading the media sector in terms of traffic, content, and reputation. It reaches an extensive audience of executives and technologists within the telecom and enterprise networking communities, as well as the financial/industry analysts and investors who track these sectors. Light Reading was acquired by United Business Media in August 2005, and operates as a unit of CMP Technology. About CMP CMP (http://www.cmp.com/) is a media and marketing solutions company serving the technology industry. With the leading online, event, and print brands in all technology market categories, and with services and tools that reach beyond traditional advertising, CMP shapes and influences the technology industry worldwide. CMP publishes highly respected media brands such as TechWeb, InformationWeek, ChannelWeb, CRN, EE Times, and TechOnline; produces major industry events such as Interop, Web 2.0 Expo, XChange, Game Developer Conference, and the Embedded Systems Conferences; and provides business information and marketing services such as the International Customer Management Institute, Semiconductor Insights, and Second Life consulting for technology marketers. CMP is a subsidiary of United Business Media (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/), a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $3 billion. For more CMP news, go to cmp.com/news. SOURCE: Unstrung Insider CONTACT: Jeff Claudino, Director of Sales, +1-619-229-9940, Web site: http://www.lightreading.com/ |