MCMC issues revised SRSP for 4G services in 2600 MHz spectrum

When I posted about Super Wi-Fi poised for growth a few months back, I was talking about the long range and use of the broadcast spectrum that would allow wireless signals to travel farther than Wi-Fi. Couple that with 4G technology and you get almost unlimited possibility of things at your disposal; live streaming at premium video quality for instance.

What MCMC did was timely and it should put Malaysia "on par with other developed countries in the delivery of 4G services."


MCMC issues revised SRSP for 4G services
Nov 30, 2012

Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has released a revised Standard Radio System Plan (SKMM SRSP-523) to pave the way for potential service providers to launch 4th Generation (4G) mobile services.

The 23-page document details the requirements for a globally harmonised spectrum band plan to implement the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems (or 4G) operating in the 2600 MHz spectrum band to ensure efficient use of this scarce spectrum resource and to minimise interference among spectrum users within the country as well as with its neighbours.

Malaysians will get to enjoy 4G technology which could offer mobile broadband speeds of more than 100 Mbps and a plethora of new services such as high definition video upload and streaming, improved user experience on real-time applications and better connectivity for mobile and consumer electronic devices.

This band has been harmonised globally to facilitate international roaming by allowing the consumer to make use of the same device when travelling across different countries.

In a statement Thursday, MCMC Chairman, Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi said: "This is a paradigm shift in the mobile broadband era; whereas before, with 3G, users can expect typical mobile broadband speeds of between three and 10 Mbps, with 4G, speeds in excess of 100 Mbps will be possible.

"With the introduction of the 2600 MHz spectrum band for 4G mobile broadband as defined in the Standard Radio System Plan, it is envisaged that Malaysia will be on par with other developed countries in the delivery of 4G services."

The SKMM SRSP-523 document is available for download from the MCMC website. - Bernama

Super Wi-Fi poised for growth

Wi-Fi and "Super Wi-Fi".

You'd naturally think of superior performance and far reaching Wi-Fi signal, and quite rightly. Super Wi-Fi is being deployed in the United States and generating interest in a number of countries, including Britain and Brazil. It offers a bigger range than existing hotspots.

Super Wi-Fi is not really Wi-Fi because it uses a different frequency and requires specially designed equipment, but it offers some of Wi-Fi's advantages, and more.

The name was coined by the US Federal Communications Commission in 2010, when it approved the deployment of unused broadcast television spectrum, or so-called "white spaces," for wireless broadband.

Super Wi-Fi could be useful for less dense population over a large area.

Much longer range

Think about covering few lots or blocks of shop. But with Super Wi-Fi we are talking about covering the whole town or city. Or villages.

The long range and use of the broadcast spectrum could allow wireless signals to travel farther than Wi-Fi - in theory as far as 100 miles (160 kilometers) - although for practical reasons the range will probably be only a few miles.

Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Project at the New America Foundation, said that is an advantage of using the broadcast spectrum.

"Wi-Fi has been booming, but it has been limited by the frequencies it operates on, which go only a few hundred meters," said Calabrese, who has been pressing for the use of "white spaces" since 2002.

In contrast, "television frequencies travel long distances at low power and penetrate through buildings, trees and bad weather," Calabrese said.

This could provide high-speed Internet to sparsely populated rural areas which lack broadband. It could also allow consumers to create their own hotspots, which could be used on devices while away from their homes.


Already deployed in US

The first deployment of Super Wi-Fi came last year by Rice University in Houston, Texas, followed by another earlier this year in Wilmington, North Carolina. A coalition of organizations has announced plans to deploy Super Wi-Fi to college campuses in rural areas starting early next year in a project called AIR.U, backed by Google and Microsoft.

Super Wi-Fi would be on "unlicensed" spectrum, like Wi-Fi, so companies would not bid on exclusive spectrum rights. This can lower costs. And there is often excess capacity, especially in rural areas, where fewer TV stations operate.

Mobile phone companies could use Super Wi-Fi, as they do now with Wi-Fi, to relieve some of the "spectrum crunch" from the explosion of mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

But in order for Super Wi-Fi to gain traction, manufacturers of PCs and other devices would have to make chipsets that could operate on both systems.

TheGreenMechanics' two cents: Long range capability should benefit rural areas, especially with the government' effort to close the digital gap with urbanites.

For the consumers in general, this should provide alternative and possibly cheaper option in communication.


Source: The Star