eMBMS/LTE Broadcast

LTE Broadcast opportunities and challenges

LTE Broadcast opportunities and challenges

In this issue of Signals Ahead we examine the market opportunity for eMBMS/LTE Broadcast. Specific topics include the following:

What went wrong the first time? In 2007 there were 17 “mobile TV” technologies and virtually all of them, including MBMS FDD and MBMS TDD, failed to deliver. That was then, this is now.
Technical Primer. We provide a tutorial on how eMBMS impacts the LTE network architecture and how the MBSFN subframe is able to deliver the same multicast content to all users with higher spectral efficiency and coverage than good old LTE.
Tracking the Release functionality. We discuss the features of LTE Broadcast, including some futuristic features, and when they get introduced into the standard.
The Use Cases. The Use Cases for LTE Broadcast are fairly well understood. We review them but focus on the Use Cases that we really like as well as those Use Cases that are questionable. Bottom line, LTE Broadcast rollouts will be very gradual and the Use Cases, including the size of MBSFN areas, will expand very gradually over time.
The Challenges. LTE Broadcast does come with its own set of challenges, although many of the challenges can actually be viewed in a positive manner. First and foremost, launching LTE Broadcast isn’t nearly as simple as upgrading the network and flipping a switch. Further, it does very little to address the data tsunami, in particular in the near term.
Market Outlook. We provide our near-term outlook for LTE Broadcast and the catalysts that could drive wider spread adoption – including more operators larger / more frequent MBSFN Areas.