Verizon and AT&T: State of the LTE Spectrum Union
by Jason Inofuentes on December 7, 2011 1:18 AM ESTIn two deals announced late last week, Verizon Wireless has expanded its spectrum holdings through deals that will give it control over various frequencies, almost all in the AWS space. This in the same week that AT&T had the door nearly entirely shut on them in their efforts to merge with T-Mobile. Though AT&T touted its desire to increase competition, produce more jobs in the United States and provide more and better services for its customers, spectrum was the real target of this acquisition. Ever hungry mobile data customers are the drive for bandwidth, and falling short of meeting your customers needs can be costly to a provider (just ask AT&T). There are several techniques that can be deployed for encoding more bits into each wave, but ask a firefighter what he wants to help fight a fire. More hoses will be the answer everytime, and in wireless that means more spectrum.
Where We Are, Where We're Going
Remember this guy? When Brian spent some time clarifying the HSPA+ state of the HP Veer 4G, he discussed modulation schemes used in current mobile data networks. The most efficient scheme currently in use is 64QAM, which provides enough density to encode a 6 digit binary number into a single wave. The ability to discern similar points in a QAM constellation becomes harder as they become more dense, and with HSPA+ and LTE we are approaching the limits of how spectrally efficient we can be. Going back to our firefighter analogy, firehose comes in various diameters. The larger the diameter, the harder the hose is to control. Implementing 128QAM would add another bit to each Hz, but increase the burden on each radio to discern between increasingly dense points on the plot.
What's next then? LTE-Advanced will fulfill the true potential promised by 4G mobile broadband networks, and will do so through a more crowded and complex arrangement than we have now. Right now, your phone is picking up signals from, most likely, more than one cell tower owned by or servicing your network provider. These towers serve many customers over a wide geographic area, and are referred to as macrocells. Your phone utilizes the tower that will provide it the fastest and most reliable connection, and this determination is made using several factors including interference from other nearby towers. If you are lucky, your phone will have (if supported) a MIMO connection with low SNR resulting in a high speed, low latency connection.
In Qualcomm's LTE-Advanced scheme, users would be served by a heterogenous network of relay basestations and pico- and femtocells, all operating together to provide fast mobile data that can service ever more customers at once. Unlike the macrocells, these small cells are distributed in an ad hoc manner, being placed in hotspots or coverage gaps. We've seen some of this in the deployment of picocells within AT&T and Apple stores in congested areas. It isn't enough to deploy these cells, though; it also becomes necessary to coordinate their operation with the macrocells, and this is the next step.
Verizon currently operates their network in a 22MHz chunk of the 700MHz spectrum, this is divvied up in a frequency duplexed scheme with 10MHz for downstream, 10MHz for upstream, and two 1MHz chunks at the sides. This all fits nicely with LTE's ability to use varying sized channels, in this case 10MHz serves upstream and downstream fine. Lower frequencies propagate through buildings better, so 700MHz is beneficial in urban areas where customers might not get any signal from higher frequency towers.
Now, add in some lower power small cells throughout the range of a single macrocell. Many of these smaller cells will be within buildings, or covering outdoor hotspots (think Times Square and Madison Square Garden). Those smaller cells don't necessarily need to worry about building penetration as they are either outdoors or already within the building they're trying to serve. As a result, that 700MHz frequency becomes less important, though they may still operate on them. Now, add in some of the channels that Verizon is acquiring; particularly a 20MHz chunk of AWS in Minneapolis, MN. Imagine that the whole channel is added for downstream operation. You now have multiple cells, with several channels to choose from, all operating in one geographic area. And that's just for LTE, the PCS spectrum they acquired could be added to their 3G and telephony networks for enhanced voice service and fallback data. One more picture to look at.
Those 20MHz chunks are where LTE really shines. By moving to 20MHz channels, current generation (Cat. 2) devices could more regularly hit their bandwidth limits of 50Mbps and next gen devices (Cat. 3/4) could jump to 100-150Mbps.
The New Land Grab, Spectrum Acquisitions
Now let's breakdown the two deals Verizon's made, and hope will get approved. Cricket Wireless is a regional operator that provides cellular services on spectrum it owns or leases within a given market. This is similar to ClearWire, though Cricket provides telephony services along with data services. Cricket, like ClearWire, intends to move to LTE and wants some of that coveted 700MHz spectrum. It just so happens, Verizon has 12MHz it isn't using in Block A of the 700MHz spectrum covering the Chicago area. So, Cricket gets 12MHz of building penetrating frequencies in the 3rd largest metropolitan region in the US, and Verizon gets 23 PCS and 13 AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) licenses in markets spread across the US. Since each chunk is regional, this won't mean that Verizon will have dozens of 20MHz channels blanketing the whole country, but with this deal alone they will have many 20MHz channels over many markets.
And what's so good about AWS? Mainly, it's available. AWS exists in the microwave spectrum, with downstream bandwidth provided between 2110MHz and 2155MHz, and upstream bandwidth provided between 1710MHz and 1755MHz. It was first put up for auction in 2006, and was almost entirely scooped up by T-Mobile for its 3G network.
The key to this deal is that Cricket isn't actually doing anything with these channels, nor is Verizon doing anything with their 12MHz. The FCC generally frowns on deals that will adversely affect customers of a service. So if Cricket were giving up their only operating frequency in Fresno, CA, there might be some push-back. As it is, the FCC shouldn't have anything to complain about. Indeed, by exchanging 700MHz spectrum they are basically creating an honest to goodness competitor in the Chicago area. And just to bear out how important these AWS acquistions are, Verizon is also throwing in $100 million to help build out Cricket's LTE network.
Spectrum Co. is a joint venture between Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House, and was formed to manage a large portfolio of spectrum that could be used by the wired telcos to branch out into wireless services. The venture went nowhere, and it seems the trio is ready to cash out. So, for $3.6 billion Verizon will be purchasing 122 AWS licenses that undoubtedly cover some of the largest markets in the US. This won't be a straight sale, either. Verizon is essentially entering a partnership with Spectrum Co. that will enable them to directly sell Verizon services, or purchase them wholesale for use under their own branding.
Since all 122 of these licenses were being unused, the FCC won't be concerned about a loss of service to customers. What might strike some alarms is the notion that the largest cable telcos are going to be locked into offering only one wireless provider's services. This is obviously a strategic win for Verizon, but might be looked down on by regulators. It will be curious to see whether this is the end of Verizon's buying spree, there's only so much spectrum out there.
And AT&T? AT&T is awaiting approval from the FCC on their purchase of Qualcomm's MediaFLO 700 MHz spectrum. Qualcomm having bowed out of the mobile TV business is letting this slice of spectrum sit idle, so this deal should be approved any day now. The purchase of T-Mobile is a different story altogether. Though becoming the number one wireless provider in America has its appeal, the acquisition of spectrum is the driving force behind this deal. Combining AT&T's block of 700 MHz spectrum with T-Mobile's nationwide AWS spectrum would boost their LTE competitiveness. Mergers of this type receive thorough evaluation from technical, legal, consumer and anti-competitive perspectives. In their recent Staff Report, the FCC opined that while AT&T's competitiveness will improve, the merger will negatively affect the public and lead to higher prices. The release of this report succeeded AT&T and T-Mobile withdrawing their application with the FCC, after Chairman Genachowski requested that the merger be put through a hearing to determine approval. AT&T will continue their merger efforts with the Department of Justice, in the hopes that a positive result there could sway the FCC in a future submission. So overall, it looks a little grim at AT&T right now.
Wrap-up
LTE isn't going to get too much better at using the spectrum we feed it. To that end, if more and more customers are going to be demanding more and more mobile data, the only solution is to feed the beast. Verizon had a headstart with the first US LTE network, which celebrated its first birthday the other day. Now Verizon is taking the next step and, should the AT&T/T-Mobile merger fall through, may end up with a commanding lead in LTE spectrum. What remains to be seen is how this will play out for the consumer. If wireless providers follow the lead of their wired kin, we could end up with high prices to take advantage of this high performance. That sounds logical, until you see how poorly US broadband speeds scale with their price; $200 for 105 Mbps just isn't balanced against $42 for 1.5 Mbps.
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JasonInofuentes - Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - link
The scaling shouldn't punish the low-end as much. Given the lack of competition in the broadband options, many people have a choice between dial-up ($20 for 42 kbps), DSL (~$40 for 0.5-1.5 Mbps) and Cable ($40 for 1.5 Mbps). It's rapidly becoming a necessity for reliable fast internet access in the home. Students unable to conduct their research on the internet from home are at a disadvantage. And with rich media resulting in webpages reaching the many megabytes on a regular basis it's not like dial-up is an acceptable option. So, $28/Mbps is the only realistic option for those unable to pay for more.Kougar - Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - link
Verizon already charges more than other carriers for use of their network, so that's nothing new. Usually it's a $5-$10 extra per month versus competitors. Probably the most extreme is that:Cricket offers a $55 monthly plan that includes unlimited talk, text, video, and 1GB data.
Verizon's best offer is $70 per month for 450 minutes, +20 cents per text, +25 cents per image/vid, and 2GB of data.
dcollins - Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - link
Unless you're on a family plan. I pay about $55/month for my portion, which includes about 500 minutes, unlimited text, and unlimited data (grandfathered in!). Plus we share 10 numbers (5 for individual plans) that are free to call so I rarely use more than 100 minutes/month. Unlimited texting is only $5/month to add to any plan so no one in there right mind would choose the per text charge.Verizon's coverage and reliability is second to none. I gladly pay a bit more per month for quality service.
Kougar - Sunday, December 11, 2011 - link
Verizon's network quality is why they charge the most out of any carrier. But for new customers like me that don't have plans to grandfather in, we get to pay $75 a month. What other option is there?Instead of $75 a month, I am paying $100 for up to eight months of service, using prepaid. I'd love to have a smartphone but until I see a reasonable plan I'm not going to pay $1k a year for it when $200 will do.
casteve - Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - link
Second paragraph under the QAM constellation, last sentence:"If you are lucky, your phone will have (if supported) a MIMO connection with low SNR..."
I think you meant to say high SNR.
Uritziel - Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - link
I guess I'm unlucky, as my phone does not support any connection with low SNR... ;)joshv - Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - link
"increasingly points on the plot"Increasingly what? Small? The adjective appears to be missing here.
Penti - Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - link
Here in Sweden they have and use 2x20MHz LTE FDD in 2600-band and will be using 2x10MHz FDD for the 700-band and several companies have plenty of spectrum nationwide (although big, Sweden is sparsely populated and it wouldn't make sens in regionalising anything that way in the airways.) which still has no VoLTE up yet.2x20MHz channels will yield some 40-80Mbits in good conditions, I really wouldn't expect more then 20-45Mbit on our future 800MHz LTE. Still superior to 3G, with lower latency but I won't expect it to built out that quickly when the infrastructure isn't upgraded yet and it needs to integrate with older generation systems and they also need larger backhaul which won't be available everywhere. That has to contend with 21Mbit or 42Mbit HSPA+ also, so it might just be about going from speeds about 10Mbit (±5) to 20Mbit (±10) and with relatively poor traffic quotas where many had virtually unlimited 3G subscription plans they won't let go of. Here in my small town there is just 64QAM HSPA+ Rel 7, larger town mostly have 64QAM HSPA+ Rel 7 (advertised as 32Mbit and not 4G mind you). If they don't anything about the traffic quotas those offers will just be too costly and they can't even promise (even though many would have) that much higher speeds. And a good 2600-band reception in a mayor city will still yield likely more then double the speed in your home town or residential neighborhood.
It kinda adds further confusion for the customers, in 3G (UMTS/WCDMA/HSPA/+) we know that we have 2x5MHz and what speeds there is kinda it still varies but it isn't because a frequency or spectrum divide. With LTE it will be different, and like if T-mobile would continue to operate and manged to get a reaction and win the C-block they would only get a 2x5MHz spectrum for LTE to use, that would literally be 20-25Mbit and they could easily match that with HSPA+ when it comes to speeds. Say they would acquire and launch in mayor metropolitan areas with 2x10 or 2x20 at higher bands then they would basically offer up to 100Mbit in some areas and up to 25 in others. Not that I think anyone in the us will go for the "up to 100Mbit LTE". But it would be a long way from our 100Mbit capable LTE in Sweden.
ravisurdhar - Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - link
Not to nitpick, but "where customers might not get any single from higher frequency towers." - should be "signal". ;)Thanks for the great articles, as usual.
Zoomer - Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - link
Other countries use standardized frequencies for 3G communication, and manage quite well despite facing the same bw use issues. The US is not unique in facing this problem.The alternative to more spectrum is to build more smaller cells. The users/cell decreases, and thus, more bandwidth is available for each user.