AT&T: Deploying UMTS/HSPA

Tom Keathley, VP Radio Access & Standards, AT&T

 UMTS/HSPA in AT&T

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

2006: HSDPA Network

2004: Cingular Wireless
2004: Cingular Wireless
Trials UMTS & HSDPA
Trials UMTS & HSDPA
in Atlanta
in Atlanta
2005: Cingular Wireless
2005: Cingular Wireless
Deploys and Launches
Deploys and Launches
HSDPA at 1900MHz in 16
HSDPA at 1900MHz in 16
Markets
Markets
PC Cards initially
PC Cards initially
2006: HSDPA Network
Coverage extension to 165
Coverage extension to 165
Major Metropolitan Areas,
Major Metropolitan Areas,
including first Deployments
including first Deployments
at 850MHz,
at 850MHz,
Handset Devices
Handset Devices
2007-08: Network expansion,
2007-08: Network expansion,
Beyond Metropolitan Areas,
Beyond Metropolitan Areas,
More Handsets, HSUPA,
More Handsets, HSUPA,
Performance Enhancements,
Performance Enhancements,

2004: AT&T Wireless launches

2004: AT&T Wireless launches
UMTS at 1900MHz in 6 Markets:
UMTS at 1900MHz in 6 Markets:
Dallas, Detroit, Phoenix, San Diego,
Dallas, Detroit, Phoenix, San Diego,
San Francisco, Seattle
San Francisco, Seattle

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 Enabling enterprise mobility – enhanced with
BroadbandConnect

Examples Existing Use Case New Capabilities

Manufacturin
High Tech

•Access to customer records •Fast access to complex

g

and trouble tickets diagrams and schematics

Public Safety

•Access to public records •Download large files including

and ability to file reports high-resolution clip/photos of
suspects
Home Health

•Access to scheduling •Streaming video for real

Care

information and patient time patient assessment

records
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 …And lower cost network infrastructure

Fully Loaded Network

Infrastructure Costs
• Improved cost
efficiency on both
voice and data
platform
60%
• UMTS/HSDPA is 2G 2G 45-70%
the only 3G GSM EDGE
technology
supporting
3G
simultaneous UMTS 3G
HSDPA
circuit switched
voice and high
speed packet data Voice Data

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 UMTS/HSDPA Deployment Status

20,000+ UMTS/HSPA Base Stations (Node B) Deployed by End07

Legend
4Q 2005 Markets
2Q 2006 Markets
3Q 2006 Markets
4Q 2006 Markets
2007 Markets

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 Elements of Deployment Strategy

• One to One overlay of GSM Network in Areas where UMTS/HSDPA is

implemented
• Initially at 1900MHz, Some Markets at 850MHz from 2006
– Depending on Available Spectrum
 Dual-band 1900/850 Devices from Day one
• UMTS/HSDPA first deployed in Metropolitan Areas
• GSM/EDGE used for Service Continuity
– GSM to UMTS and UMTS to GSM Handover / Cell Reselection
– GSM used for E-911 Ph.2 compliance (Emergency Calls Re-directed to
GSM)
• Maximum Site Resource Sharing across Technologies
– Antennas, Feeders, Transport, Power, E-911 …
• Common Core Network Elements beyond MSC/SGSN
– HLR, GGSN, Billing System, Service Platforms…

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 Spectrum Sharing / Typical Site Design
GSM BCCH
GSM BCCH
GSM Hopping
GSM Hopping

• GSM/UMTS Spectrum 131 136 139

Channel Numbers
4145 165 168 173

Sharing with minimum

carrier spacing (2.6 MHz)
UTRA 5MHz

991 1011 280 333 667 716

21 21 ACCH + 21 AVCH 50
DCCHs 12 DVCH DVCH

824.04 824.64 833.40 834.99 845.01 846.48

824.8 825.8 826.4 829.0 831.6 832.2 833.2

Carriers Center
Frequencies in MHz
Dual-band
Dual-band
Antenna w/
Antenna w/
Mechanical &
Mechanical & Dual Band Antennas
Electronic Down-tilt
Electronic Down-tilt
Remote Antenna Tilt Tower Mounted
Remote Antenna Tilt Tower Mounted
from the OMC Amplifiers at
from the OMC Amplifiers at
1900MHz
1900MHz

Dual-band
Dual-band Rx Signal
Duplexed Rx Signal
Duplexed Distribution
Signal Distribution
Signal Unit
Unit

Rx Distribution High
High
Power
Diplex Filters Power
Diplex Filters Rx Rx
Amplifier
Rx Rx Rx Rx Amplifier
Tx Tx Tx Tx

GSM UMTS
TDMA-850
850/1900 1900
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 Device Strategy

• Multi-mode, Quad-band GSM/EDGE, Dual-band UMTS/HSPA

• GSM/EDGE Multi-slot Class 12
• HSDPA Devices:
– Category 12 initially (1.8Mbps)
– Category 6 now (3.6 Mbps)
– Category 8 soon (7.2 Mbps)
• Advanced Receivers required to achieve High Peak Data Rate
– Equalizer or Rx/Div available now
– Rx Div + Equalizer to be available by the end of 07
• Bluetooth, Java, Browser, Camera, WiFi …now
• A-GPS, MediaFLO …soon

Subset of UMTS/HSDPA Devices available on AT&T web site as of 7/7/25

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 Service Strategy

• Voice / Data / simultaneous Voice + Data

• Superior Voice Quality through CS Voice using AMR12.2
(Default UMTS Codec)
– Lower AMR Rates being deployed for improved capacity
– VoIP and/or MMTel (MultimediaTelephony) not needed but under
consideration
• Best effort/Interactive/Background Data Bearers
– Streaming class soon (Streaming can also be carried over I/B)
– Conversational with VoIP/MMTel later on
• Music/Video Download
• IMS-based Video Share
• Broadcast with MediaFLO

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 Core Strategy

• Dedicated 3G-MSC/MSC Server & 3G-SGSN deployed

– But combined 3G/2G solutions available
• Other Core Network Elements upgraded to support 3G
Network (GGSN, HLR, Billing Systems, Service
Platforms, Activation & Administration Systems …)
• IMS for future Advanced Services
– Video Share
– Convergence Cable

Solutions Internet IP Network

IMS Network
Application
IP/MPLS Servers
HSS
Core
802.xx
2G/3G Parlay/OSA Access
Media Gateway
Resource
Server Media
CSCF Gateway

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 Lessons Learned

• UMTS/HSDPA Standard is extremely Flexible

– Infinite amount of possible combinations of Voice & Data Bearer
Combinations requiring Intense Inter-Operability Testing
– Large set of Features & Capabilities
 But less of a problem for new operators
• Inter-RAT (Radio Access Technology) Operation may be tricky
– GSM-UMTS Inter-system Handover may be used to move Devices
across Technologies when encountering marginal propagation conditions
(especially when operating UMTS@1900 and GSM@850)
– Inter-RAT Threshold setting becomes a key Network Optimization
component
• Transport Dimensioning is an essential part of achieving High
Throughput Performances
– Soon, the Performances will not be limited by the Devices and Network
capabilities but by the Transport Dimensioning

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 Final Notes

• UMTS & HSDPA is a now a Mature Technology

– Operational Networks in North America since 2004
– Cost Effective Infrastructure Equipment available
– Site/Spectrum Sharing Solution Available
– Large choice Devices and Device Capabilities
– Deployment and Optimization Solutions well understood
• HSDPA/HSUPA brings a significant Performance
Enhancement:
– Suitable to offer cost effective Broadband Service
– Essential to fuel the Business Growth

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 Thank you!

AT&T: Deploying UMTS/HSPA

Tom Keathley, VP Radio Access & Standards, AT&T