broadband strategies handbook.pdf - Khazar University

• Relief for congested mobile networks. Mobile operators were initially lukewarmabout handsets with Wi-Fi capability, since users could bypassmore expensive cellular network data offerings. That view is changingdue to the rapid growth in demand for data over mobile cellular networksand consequent capacity constraints. Today, many mobile operatorsembrace Wi-Fi as a way to offload 3G-network traffic as a complement totheir regular commercial service. For example, AT&T in the United Statesis automatically switching smartphone users to Wi-Fi when they arewithin range of a hot spot (Fitchard 2010).SatelliteAside from its role in the international and backbone segments of thebroadband supply chain, satellites are also used to provide direct subscriberaccess to broadband services, particularly in remote areas wherewireline broadband is not available and there is no terrestrial high-speedwireless coverage. 44 The subscriber uses a satellite antenna or dish that isconnected to a satellite modem. Speeds vary depending on the satellitetechnology, antenna, and the weather. Latency can be an issue for someapplications (for example, gaming). Although they serve specific niches,satellites do not offer the same price to quantity ratio as other broadbandsolutions. For example, in March 2011, the highest speed available froma leading retail broadband satellite provider in the United States was5 Mbit/s for US$300 per month. 45Implementation Issues for Local C onnectivityCountries face numerous challenges in deploying local broadband accessnetworks, including whether and how physical infrastructure can be shared,quality of service, and spectrum.Local Loop UnbundlingIn many countries, an incumbent, former monopoly wireline provideroften controls the only extensive local access network. In such cases, regulatorshave sought ways to introduce more competition and innovationinto the local access market. Local loop unbundling (LLU) has been one ofthe main methods implemented in developed nations for service providersto gain access to the incumbent’s switched telephone network in orderto provide DSL service. There are three main types of implementation:• Full unbundling. The entire copper local loop is leased to a service provider.The service provider installs its own broadband equipment eitherin, or close to, the incumbent’s site.238 Broadband Strategies Handbook