Teletimes April 2011.pdf

RK - In addition to what I have
described above regarding the
3G versus 4G issue, we see LTE
as a complimentary technology
to address growing data
demand. In addition to requiring
the spectrum in which LTE
devices are available and the
need for much bigger chunks of
spectrum to acieve performance
improvement, the device costs
and affordability would be a
key consideration for Pakistan.
Until we see economies of scale
for LTE, the device prices will be
significantly higher than 3G for
the years to come as they are
based on high end multimode
chipsets and definitely be out
of range for the majority of the
consumer base in Pakistan.
TT - On a separate note since
Qualcomm is the preliminary
body behind the development
of CDMA technology, our
WLL operators which
are mainly operating on
CDMA and currently
not flourishing to the
expected level, what kind
of support is QUALCOMM
offering in this area?
RK - It is true that the
CDMA WLL networks
have not enjoyed the
same growth as GSM.
This is unfortunately due
to regulatory restrictions on
CDMA networks and devices,
and not technology limitations,
which have restricted the
growth. Recently, PTCL has
launched the latest version of
CDMA EVDO Rev. B, capable of
offering data speeds up to 9.3
Mbps, which is almost 10 times
faster than any other technology
deployed in the country. This
service, branded as evo Nitro is
enjoying rapid growth and the
Pakistani consumer is finally
able to enjoy true broadband.
Voice has become a commodity
now and the consumer is
demanding mobile broadband
data. To maximize the utility
of existing CDMA/EVDO
platforms, the principal
requirement is the introduction
of CDMA data terminals.
Qualcomm is actively supporting
the CDMA ecosystem and has
recently assisted operators
in implementing the OMH
initiative in cllaboration with
the GHRC (Global Handset
requirement for CDMA)
team, which is a CDG (CDMA
development group) component,
to make it easy for the
consumers to buy, upgrade
and replace their CDMA based
devices.
TT - Talking about High
speed mobile
data
applications,
if I were to ask you to
pick one service which you feel
can revolutionize or make an
immediate impact, what would
that be?
RK - There is no ‘one killer
app’ for all mobile customers
as I see it. In my view, “data”
itself is a killer app, over which
a very wide range of high
speed mobile data services
are offered. These services do
exceptionally well where 3G has
been launched. The range of
applications are wide and varied
to include mHealth, Education,
Entertainment, Gaming,
eCommerce, eGov, Location
based services, etc.
In the very near future, we will
have “Internet of Everything”,
which represents the next era
of networking and computing,
where everything will be
connected through advanced
wireless technologies, sensors,
and applications which will
enable real time exchange of
information.
All key market segments
like Consumer
Electronics,
Transportation / Telematics,
Smart Grids / Meters, Home
and Commercial building,
Wireless Health, Asset Tracking
& Security,
Video Surveillance, Vending
machines, ATMs, will be
connected intelligently and
wirelessly.
The mobile networks will be at
the heart of this information
exchange and will need to
provide the high speed data
bandwidth to carry all this
traffic. To be able to bring
Pakistan at par with the other
nations and offer these services
to the Pakistani consumers,
we need to proceed faster
and deploy mobile broadband
networks, otherwise Pakistan
will be left far behind in the
technology race.
TT - One last question, how has
Qualcomm contributed towards
educating and assisting the
local telecom community?
RK - In addition to all the
above, Qualcomm has been
assisting the industry in
providing awareness about
the technology evolution
by supporting seminars,
workshops and other
initiatives.
We have also set up one
of a kind 3G training
centre in collaboration
with the Central Asian
Cellular Forum and the
IQRA Univerity that
not only caters to the
telecom needs of the
country but the region.
This is a true example
of Industry Academia
relationship.
We are also facilitating the
development of the entire
mobile broadband ecosystem
with active engagement with
the IT professionls and the
application developers /
service providers who develop
mobile applications that have
applicability for both the local
and the international markets.
We have also introduced our
OEMs to the local operators
and distributors that offer
innovative and affordable 3G
products that uit the needs of
the Pakistani consumer.
TT - Thank you for your time
and sharing your views with
our readers.
RK - Thank you. It was indeed
a pleasure! T
36 www.teletimesinternational.com
15Apr - 14May 2011