Analysis 6 Current & Future Trends 6 Policy & Speculation 8
Conclusion 9 Suggestions 9 Considerations 11
Bibliography 13
Introduction There is a new era coming where value is literally in the air. Wireless networks and their capacity are something of true value. The expansion or regulation of spectrum for different vendors is impending for everyone such as to the consumers, to the vendors and of course the carriers. This is impacting to businesses, the way they do business and the free market or even the economy. This paper will explore not only what has happened in terms of regulations but also the evolution of the market and trends. Then to further analyze current and future possibilities or trends for bandwidth and spectrum dealing with telecommunications. Then possibly see if there are any articles to grasp from the evaluation such as what to consider and suggestions on the matter. Evolution of Technology
Telecommunications have had a vast change and impact in everyone’s life. It started literally as a source solely for government agencies to communicate. However, obviously many things have evolved from that including the change of wireless technology. It started as an analog cellular service from digital to 3G and now 4G LTE. The G means generation and LTE means long-term evolution. Obviously when it changed to digital is when the services started to go from voice only to voice and text services. Then after that it went to voice, text/picture messaging to data services. Those data services started simply as browsing online and basic functionality. However, now that has dramatically evolved to a whole new level of data usage for the fact now there are apps, games, messaging, email and even networking possibilities on mostly all those mobile devices.
Obviously as well the devices and technology have changed in time. From big brick phones to simple flip phones to simple small touch screen phones and now the Smartphone. However, even the Smartphone has evolved on its own from going to the smallest and sleekest to now the thinnest with the largest screen. Blackberry’s were a hit and showed us the functions of such a phone and then iPhone’s & Androids took charge as the market’s leading common handset devices. Previous Trends & Regulations What is the true value of spectrum for Wireless bandwidth? Bandwidth typically is measured in bits per second (bps), refers to the speed with which data travels. Typically over a network connection, bandwidth makes an enormous difference in how much data you can send and receive in a given period in time. However, in our case bandwidth dealing with signal processing is the difference between the highest and lowest frequency transmitted over a channel measured in Hertz (Hz). The allowed channel of frequency for the difference is the spectrum. The industry has vast aspects within itself however; now looking at the users and the carriers. It has already been seen that carriers have already imposed data caps for their users. Not to mention price differentials and the option to get more data, however, only at a much higher and greater cost. John Stankey warned that if the spectrum remains unchanged, pricing would rise in December of 2011 when AT&T switched access to 4G in 11 area.1 In 2012 AT&T had a new pricing structure for its Smartphone and tablet customers. The carrier is simply putting strain on those customers due to the demand and the supply they have. However, the issue truly is how much is the demand & what they’re capable of? In October 2011, CTIA – The wireless association reported that the number of wireless devices in the U.S. had for the first time, exceeded the number of people.1 There’s already a simple issue already in the works