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With the extensive application of data services, the evolution of existing networks to next-generation networks is becoming an increasingly important concern for operators.

The next-generation network (NGN) is a packet-based system providing multiple services, including telecommunications. It uses multiple bandwidths and transmission technology with quality-of-service (QoS) capability to separate service functions from lower-layer transmission technology. It provides users with free access to the networks of different service providers and supports general mobility to make services consistent and unified for users.

With softswitches--the core technology of the NGN--multiple networks can be seamlessly integrated to provide broadband while retaining narrowband intelligent network (IN) services. Flexible networking allows network functions equivalent to those of the tandem offices and end offices of public switched telephone networks (PSTNs).

It also allows end-to-end integrated services in the IP network, including: wide area IP Centrex, WE800 and communication assistant services for group users; VoIP telephone supermarket services for public users; intelligent card services for campus users; multimedia services for high-end users; and voice mailbox, Unique and Universal Access Number (UAN), and unified messaging services for business users. These features allow operators to effectively boost user loyalty.

NGNs combine various aspects, including the softswitch, core network and access network, to provide users with low-price, high-quality services. The “last mile access" for users is also an important issue for operators and affects the smooth evolution of NGNs. Currently, there are numerous broadband access modes in the market, but emerging WiMAX broadband wireless products are gaining increasing attention from operators.

WiMAX is a standards-based technology that can replace existing wired connection modes to provide wireless broadband access for the last mile. Working in the 2 GHz to 66 GHz band, WiMAX products have excellent wireless propagation features. WiMAX provides fixed, mobile and portable wireless broadband connections. It can provide mobile wireless broadband connection without direct line-of-sight (LOS) base stations. In the typical unit deployment with a radius of five to 15 miles, it can simultaneously support several hundred business users with a T-1 connection speed or several thousand home users with a DSL connection speed.

There are many advantages to using WiMAX products for NGN access:

• Wider access scope: WiMAX adopts the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing non-line-of-sight propagation technology to provide broadband access for residents or enterprises for a surrounding area of more than 15 kilometers. In areas where wired resources are scarce and of poor quality, the advantage of WiMAX access is particularly apparent.
• Competitive costs: WiMAX products are based on the 802.16 standards and have to pass the consistency certification conducted by the WiMAX Forum to ensure the interconnection and interoperability of equipment of different manufacturers. Participation of such chipmakers as Intel will greatly reduce the costs of WiMAX products. In addition, because WiMAX is a wireless access technology, operators do not need to invest in cable installation, the construction period is short, and capacity expansion and removal is flexible and convenient. All these factors allow operators to cut capital investment, quicken capital turnover and recovery, protect investments already made and cut business risks.
• Higher bandwidth: WiMAX products provide higher width than conventional access modes, which makes them more suitable for application in high-traffic hotspots such as enterprises, hotels, Internet bars and IP supermarkets. WiMAX products are more suitable for providing services, such as multimedia, VOD and videoconferencing, which require higher bandwidth. In this way, operators can effectively solve the last-mile access bottleneck.
• Secure transmissions: The WiMAX system has QoS and encrypted transmission functions, which ensures QoS and secure transmission of information in the last mile. This provides quality-assured secure services for NGN.

ZTE started the R&D and application of broadband wireless access equipment as early as 2000. In the third quarter of this year, WiMAX products based on the IEEE802.16-2004 protocol in Q3-2005 will become available to provide wireless broadband access for hotspots such as enterprises, hotels, Internet bars, IP supermarkets and buildings. In 2006, indoor terminal products to provide cheap, convenient broadband access for home users will come on the market, to be followed by WiMAX products with mobile functions to provide high-speed mobile broadband access for laptop and mobile phone terminal users.

For operators, the NGN implements a unified service network platform providing voice, data, mobile and multimedia services. The technology removes the bottleneck for data service development, lowers maintenance costs and provides a wide range of broadband services. As an emerging force of broadband access, WiMAX products used in the NGN can rapidly and effectively solve the access bottleneck of end users. With evolution from fixed and roaming access to mobile access, WiMAX products will provide more abundant broadband access support for NGNs, and effectively drive the development of NGNs.

Visit ZTE Corp. online.