NTT DoCoMo and the Evolution of 4G Networks

Luke Markey

Abstract

The goal of this article is to illustrate the events prior to the 4G vision, analyze the specific components of this evolution, and speculate how companies such as NTT DoCoMo have inspired the vision of a global mobile ecosystem. By observing the past and current evolution of mobile networks, many important catalysts for evolution can be isolated and emphasized as important features for mobile broadband advancement. In addition to the past generations of networks, many recent key technologies have emerged that are popularly agreed to be essential to the construction of a 4G network. While many global companies are currently working towards this goal, one in particular stands out for its innovation in the mobile networking field. NTT DoCoMo has an accomplished domestic ecosystem that has proven to flourish and even exceed the global standards for wireless communication. By analyzing this ecosystem and understanding the key components of its structure, other companies are able to create environments similar to this. The movement results in global implications for developers and network operators alike. By giving independent developers access to application programming and networking operators ensuring the constant improvement of mobile networks as whole, a synergy is created where popularity of content generates necessity of network evolution, which in turn creates new opportunities for developers. This synergy is what is idealized by many mobile network operators as the realization of a global network infrastructure is slowly being realized.

1. Generations of Mobile Networks

Understanding the past of wireless mobile evolution is essential to constructing a future of mobile broadband networks. The several generations that mobile networks have gone through give the observer a valuable insight as to what network engineers have accomplished and the direction that they would like to go. In addition, the evolution of mobile network shows trends of advantageous standardization which will be discussed in later sections. The goal of analyzing the past mobile generations rests in the expectation that preceding trends can emphasize important areas for improvement. A timeline of all major “generation shifts” can be seen in figure 1.0.1.

Figure 1.0.1. A breakdown of all major mobile network generations and their respective speeds and network infrastructures. (Jaloun andGuennoun 310).

1.1. 1G Networks

1st Generation mobile networks began in the 1980’s based on analogue radio frequency modulation standards. This technology allowed sound waves to be translated into electric signals and modulated into radio waves, however it was difficult to modulate data such as SMS and simple e-mails.

1.2. 2G Networks

2nd Generation mobile networks were able to remedy the problem of wireless data transfer by beginning digital modulation. This modulation worked on a binary encoding that was more robust than analog and allowed for a wider array of information to be transferred to radio cell towers. In addition to this change, 2G networks saw many changes in digital technology networks, which allowed for better spectrum efficiency and number of channels used (Jaloun and Guennoun 311). One of the biggest changes to the mobile network during this time was the introduction of the GSM network standard.

1.2.1. GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication)

GSM standards led the mobile phone industry to many groundbreaking software and hardware technologies that increased speeds of 2G networks significantly. One of the first major technologies developed through this standard is time domain multiple access (TDMA). Traditionally, circuit-switched networks forced pre-designated bandwidth to be taken up for an entire service. TDMA broke up this frequency even into 8 time slows approximately 60/13 milliseconds in length (Jaloun and Guennoun311). The result meant that 8 people could share a pre-designated frequency at a time; this was a major accomplishment in the area of spectrum efficiency. The other large feat in technology was frequency domain multiple access (FDMA). Because bandwidth is a limited global resource, GSM networks had to utilize their allotted bandwidth as efficiently as possible. To do this, they broke up their bandwidth into carrier frequencies of 200KHz. These carrier frequencies are then separated so that they do not cause interference with one another. In light of these huge gains in speed and efficiency, GSM standards continued to be improved upon well into the next major phase of mobile networks: 2.5G.

1.3. 2.5G Networks

Generation 2.5 is a designation that broadly includes all advanced upgrades for the 2G networks. Generally, a 2.5G GSM system includes at least one of the following technologies:

High-Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD). General Packet Radio Services (GPRS). Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) (Jaloun and Guennoun 313).

HSCSD uses a maximum of four circuit-switched time-slots to increase data rates to a maximum of 38.4-57.6 kbps (Jaloun and Guennoun 313). This is achieved through superior coding methods and the ability to use multiple time slots to increase data throughout.

GPRS is a more radical step in the development of GSM towards higher data rate communication and was introduced into GSM networks as an intermediate step between 2G and 3G ( (Jaloun and Guennoun313). GPRS made use of existing TDMA multiple-access methods in GSM networks while moving towards packet-switched data delivery. The major advantages of this are that mobile data is faster, cheaper, and continuously connected to online services.

EDGE is a movement away from the GSM standard in that it uses a different modulation. EDGE was able to achieve speeds up to 3 times faster than standard GSM, but at the cost of lower symbol distance and

consequently transmission quality. To combat this, the EDGE standard utilizes a large number of base stations in order to decrease cell size of their local networks.

1.4. 3G Networks

The explosion in mobile broadband usage and standardization of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) confirms emphatically the success of 3G (Bienaime 4). During the emergence of 3G networks, many mobile operators auctioned for 3G licenses and their subsequent broadband spectrum. Among this popularity, companies and individuals alike explored the phenomenon of mobile phone applications, or apps, for short. The success and popularity of this movement has created more than 350,000 unique applications in markets such as Apple’s App Store and the Android Market (Bienaime 5). The global strives in network standardization has also encouraged mobile broadband, as international companies now work to obtain benchmarks and infrastructure conformity set out by organizations such as the 3GPP.

The popularity of 3G applications is derived from the technical improvements that network operators were able to achieve. In order to achieve a unified standard of quality, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) created the IMT-2000 project, which was adopted by the 3GPP in global cooperation with Europe (ETSI), North America (ATIS), China (CCSA), South Korea (TTA), and Japan (ARIB/TTC) (Jaloun and Guennoun 314). Among other things, two major 3G systems were created: the WCDMA and the EV-DO. Technical specifications of each network system can be analyzed in figure 1.4.1.

Figure 1.4.1. The technical specifications of two popular 3G network systems (Jaloun and Guennoun 314).

Although many of the speed improvements to these networks can be attributed to efficient algorithm and logic processing, there are a few key traits of 3G systems that make them technologically superior to their predecessors. One significant change was the introduction of packet-switching technology for data transfer. As opposed to circuit switching, packet-switching did not require a dedicated line and the packets were able to freely travel to their destination and re-assemble themselves to complete the transfer. The advantage of this is that the network becomes more robust to adverse conditions such as congestion and hardware failure, increasing the overall speed capabilities of the network. Another key difference in these technologies is that networks use a much larger 5MHz broadband frequency as opposed to the 2G’s GSM standard of 200 KHz per frequency carrier. This allows networks to be much more flexible in the amount of data and quality that can be sent from mobile stations, or phones.

1.5. 3.5G Networks

Yet another intermediary leap in mobile broadband evolution, 3.5G networks introduced the High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA). Both of these technologies were applied to the WCDMA, reducing the latency of network communication from 180 milliseconds to 50 milliseconds (Jaloun and Guennoun 316). As the name suggests, these technologies focused on algorithms that increase the speed of packet-switched data transfers between two

terminals. The other 3G network system, EV-DO, went through a series of revisions that allowed for increased peak data rates.

1.6. 3.9G Networks

In an effort to increase data transfer rates under the specifications of current 3G spectrum infrastructure, 3GPP and 3GPP2 refer to standards beyond 3.5G as Long-Term Evolution (LTE) (Jalounand Guennoun 316). Although the LTE standards are not quite substantial enough to be considered 4G, many companies world-wide have decided that the leap in performance is worth the debates of spectrum band recycling vs. spectrum band licensing and infrastructure re-servicing vs. infrastructure re-modeling. One company in particular that has been able to overcome these obstacles is NTT DoCoMo, who was the first company to launch commercial LTE series in Asia. NTT DoCoMo expects increase data traffic from 42% to over 50% of network capacity (Ashai 36). However, the real jump in mobile broadband will be the emergence of 4G networks, which are covered in detail in later sections.

1.7. Significance of the Timeline

By understanding the fundamental changes in mobile networks, it becomes relatively clear as to what the key issues are in improving current technology. As noted, spectrum efficiency and real estate both play a large role in the functionality of data transfer. By increasing the broadband spectrum of frequency carriers and/or individual data frequency channels, the network is apt to robust high-intensity data transfer environments. In addition, network operators have seen an increase in performance due to algorithm and logic improvements that were initiated in the 2nd generation. This evolution has brought the internet and mobile network data transfers to a comparable point where they are essentially the same. This point is brought up again in 4G networks, focusing on the standard of an all IP network transfer between mobile networks. A third and equally important lesson learned is the importance of standardization in the mobile network industry. Although many systems and infrastructures have been implemented to meet common benchmarks, companies now work very closely with standardization organizations such as the 3GPP and IMT so that international networks can communicate with one another more efficiently.

2.0. 4G Candidates

One of the most important aspects of upgrading current mobile networks is the cost and construction of the network. Naturally, companies would like new technology to be backwards compatable as much as possible so that physical alterations to networks can be kept to a minimum. This is where the WiMaX solution and the LTE-Advanced solution to a 4G network have different target markets. However, the networks must also be powerful enough to support speeds of 100 MBit/s in the mobile environment and 1 GBit/s for the stable environment. An illustration is given highlighting the distinct evolutionary paths of mobile network and their current speeds in figure 2.0.1.

Figure 2.0.1. Note that the IMT-Advanced (IMT-A) is a long-term vision produced from ITU in which 4G networks are trying to realize (Yu, Zhouand Zhao 23).

2.1. The WiMax Advantage

The current attractiveness to WiMax markets lies in it’s ability to be deployed as a near 4G system now. This is advantageous for up and coming network operators. One of the largest potential markets for WiMax lies in India, where Reliance has just spent $2.5 billion dollars on their new 2.3GHz spectrum holdings (Conti 63). Declan Byrne, WiMax Forum’s director of communications, remarked that, “We have met with Reliance at the most senior of levels since the auction closed and there were at least two instances where they talked publicly about their attraction to WiMax as a ready-to-deploy technology. Another advantage of this lies in the immediacy of short term profits, as companies with large bids on spectrum holdings will expect to pay upwards of $1 million dollars per day as interest.

2.2. The LTE-Advanced Ecosystem

As 3GGP Release 10 of LTE-Advanced is expected to be one of the two only candidtates for ITU’s 4G specifications in 2011, companies are very optimisitic about the new mobile ecosystem that 3GPP has grounded in its past network systems. With WiMax being the only 4G competitor, many network established network operators have a fairly easy choice to make. The gravity of this choice lies in the current infrastructure of base stations and network protocols that the GSM standard had established many years ago. Because the LTE-Advanced system attempts to recycle this technology as much as possible, network operators more open to switch from their 3.5G standards. Good evidence of this effort can be seen in figure 2.2.1, where one of NTT-DoCoMo’s key technologies to achieve 4G speed is noted to be derived from older frequency carrier technology. However, 4G is a large step in evolution and despite all of the infrastructure recycling, there are substantial costs involved in construction. This can be in Japan’s KIDDI construction model for LTE based networks:

“On the other hand, KDDI in Japan is only planning to launch commercial LTE services in December 2012, two years after NTT DoCoMo's expected launch. KDDI's plan is to initially deploy LTE as an overlay of the existing 3G network, covering only those areas where the traffic pressure from its current mobile users is high, and not the entire 3G service area. KDDI will then gradually replace the existing 3G network with LTE services, which KDDI assumes will take some years.

KDDI's approach represents the strategy of the majority of operators in Japan - small-scale LTE deployments servicing only larger cities (Ashai 36).”

Figure 2.2.1. LTE-Advanced terminals use the component carriers utilized in older technologies to increas the broadband width from 20MHz to 100MHz (NTT DoCoMo 1).

Something that has also helped LTE become the more popular 3.9G network is the adoption of large comanpies who would have had an advantageous predisposition to choose WiMax. As an example, Verizon Wireless has chosen LTE as its 4G technology of choice instead of WiMax. Verizon Wireless, likeSprint, had been a strong candidate for WiMAX adoption, due to its core CDMA network. Its decision puts a damper on die assumption that carriers with CDMA networks will choose WiMAX; on the contraiy, now tlie assumption is that most will choose LTE. The company is also targeting an aggressive roll-out of LTE in 2010 (Microwave Journal 1).

3.0. Advantages of a Simple 4G Transition

There are many technologies available for 4G which allow current networks to gradually integrate the advances of 4G networks so that the initial investment is not out of reach for smaller operators. With a single comprehensive architecture, the Enhanced Packet Core, or EPC, supports all access technologies, i.e. 2G/3G and 4G from all standards of definining organizations (Starnet Networks 3). In addition, ITU’s 4G network specifications attempt to solve some of the conventional problems experienced by global networks today. One example of this is simplified network topology, or the process of recuding the elements involved in processing and transport. The EPC will also aid this process by combining features such as Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving Gateway(SGW), and Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW) as specfic network functions inside of one node (Starnet Networks 4). Illustrations of this process can be viewed in figure 3.0.1 and figure 3.0.2. With new technology working to simplify the transition to 4G, many users will be able to enjoy technology as old as 2G while still integrating themselves into the new 4G network infrastructure.

Figure 3.0.1. An EPC combines many of the physical components of networking into a few multi-functional nodes (Starnet Networks 4)

Figure 3.0.2. EPC successfully integrates different technologies with limited changes to the network structrue.

4.0. 4G Key Technologies

There are several key technologies that successful 4G networks will utilize to obtain speeds of up to 100Mbit/s in themobile environment. All of these technologies come together to achieve a set of standards that the ITU has set forth as 4G. The specifications of a 4G network are as follows:

All-IP packet switched network Peak data rates of 100MBit/s for mobile and 1GBit/s for static networks Dynamically share and utilize network resources to support more users per cell Scalable channel bandwidth between 5-20 MHz or 40MHz Link spectral efficiency of 15 bit/s/Hz for downlink and 6.75 bit/s/Hz for uplink (or 67MHz for

1GBit/s) Smooth handovers across heterogeneous networks Ability to offer high quality of service for next generation multimedia support.

4.1. The Evolving Packet Core

As already discussed, the intelligence of the EPC will be essential to increasing data transfer and decreasing signaling overhead. In addition, the EPC also allows the network to adjust quality of service depending on the service of the mobile station. For example, a 4G subscriber contacting a 2G subscriber would still have the speed of 4G while the 2G subscriber would experience speeds of a 2G network.

4.2. Multiple in Multiple Out (MIMO)

MIMO technology works by utilizing a multiple of radio antennae between the base station and mobile station to increase the rate of data transfer. The main obstacle behind this concept is that the radio antennae are using the same frequency, which would normally cause interference and corrupt the data. However, network evolution has provided software that is advanced enough to re-organize the data received by multiple antennae and re-organize them under the condition that the waves have been obstructed enough by physical objects that their properties have been changed slightly. For example, if two antennae were sending data to a mobile phone, they would use the same channel, or frequency,

and propagate a radio wave towards the mobile phone. Because each wave is being sent by a different antenna, they take different paths and inevitably hit different obstructions. These obstructions can be as insignificant as a person or as significant as a skyscraper. By the time the data reaches the phone, the waves can be differentiated and the software is able to reconstruct the data as if it were sent by one wave. The great aspect of this technology is that it is only limited to the complexity of the decoding algorithms. Theoretically, you could use 20 antennas and transmit data 20 times as fast as 1 antenna. Practically, researchers have been able to construct a 6x6 MIMO transmitter that was “capable of data rates up to 1 GBit/s in a low mobility scenario” (Yu, Zhou and Zhao 26).

4.3. Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) Transmission

CoMP is another key technology that NTT DoCoMo is taking advantage of in order to increase the efficiency of their LTE networks. The base station’s centralized control of multiple Remote Radio Equipment (RRE) units in different locations help to reduce interference between radio cells (NTTDoCoMo 2). The result of CoMP is that mobile stations that are on the border of a cell’s periphery are able to take advantage of two base stations transmitting data through technology that prevents interference from one another. A simplified design of this is illustrated in figure 4.3.1.

Figure 4.3.1. Note that both base stations are connected through an optical fiber which reduces signaling backhaul (communication between base stations (NTT DoCoMo 2).

4.4. Pico and Femto Cell Integration

A large issue with high-performance mobile broadband is the increasing burden on macro-cell sites. These sites, which have an effective data transmission radius of about 5 kilometers, are forced to take on an expanding amount signal processing with the emerging popularity of smart phones. This, coupled with the fact that many structured environments (such as subways, houses, and office complexes) provide a significant amount of interference from macro-cell sites. The solution to both of these problems is solved in part by the implementation of pico-cell and femto-cell sites. With an effective transmission radius of .5 kilometers and 50 meters, respectively, these cell-sites offer a very strong signal for close range data transfer. In a presentation given by Alcatel-Lucent senior director James Seymour, he addresses this integration by pointing out that “LTE & LTE-Advanced coupled with small cells & relays will address these fast growing wireless data capacity demands” (Seymour 15).

5.0. Applications of a 4G Network

While the possibilities of a 4G ecosystem are only limited by the human imagination, there is are select applications which are having a large impact in Japan. Although all of these applications are not 4G exclusive, the potential for more complex applications based off of these models in a 4G environment make them very popular. Many agree that the current 3G applications available will be improved and refined to fit the 4G performance model. In a press release in 2009, senior analyist of Maravedis Adlane Fellah noted that “Next generation applications such as wireless VoIP, e-readers apps, mobile IPTV, telematics, M2M apps (e.g. smart grids), and location-aware mobile apps/services embedded with social networking and user-generated content capabilities are likely to become key applications in the upcoming 4G apps space” (Maravedis 1). In addition to this, 4G applications are predicted to be network and platform independent, so that users can utilize applications on any network with any platform, such as a cellphone or laptop.

5.1. FeliCa Chip

One of the biggest advances in NTT DoCoMo’s mobile services has been dependent on the implementation of the FeliCa Chip. FeliCa technology is the backbone of NTT DoCoMo’s Osaifu-Keitai and is increasingly used in other mobile wallet applications such as Hong Kong’s Octopus Cards. The Felica Chip, a Radio Frequency Identifacation (RFID) smart card developed by sony, is able to read physical codes using RFID and determine the cost of a particular item and charge the user for the amount. This RFID technology has many applications, such as reward and loyalty programs from stores, faster road toll payments, and touch free payment systems. These advances are having a large impact in Japan as companies such as 7-Eleven, McDonalds, and Yodobashi Camera are offering hand’s free payment plans provided through EDY.

5.2. Osaifu-Keitai

The mobile wallet is something that has been enjoyed by japanese mobile phone users since early 2006. In it’s primitie stages it was simply a way to purchase JR East Suica cards for mobile ticketing. However, with the advent of 4G on the horizon, the idea of a mobile wallet has the potential to the way many people make payments. To expand on this idea of the mobile wallet, NTT DoCoMo has added many interesting features to their Osaifu-Keitai, most recently the implementation of BitWallet’s EDY. The EDY (Euro, Dollar, Yen) mobile phone application allows users to program a “smart-card” into their phones which can be used as a virtual credit card in participating stores. In addition to the Osaifu-Keitai improvements, NTT DoCoMo has used this technology for sister applications such as medical records by phone with downloadable X-Rays (McClelland 1).

5.3. I-Concier

The I-Concier service is an NTT DoCoMo excluse which acts as a helpful concierge-like push service which makes users life more efficient and convenient. The I-Concier achieves this goal by providing timely information and updates dependent on the user’s location profile and personal preferences. In a report release by NTT DoCoMo in April 2011, they noted that they would “Aim to increase “i-concier” subscriptions to 7.9 million by increasing the no. of compatable handsets, [and] increase local information content, aiming ot offer “personal agent” service to enhance convenience of everyday life” (NTT DoCoMo 19). Figure 5.3.1 shows a conceptual example of this enhancement to I-Concier.

Figure 5.3.1.The I-Concier functional enhancement with a memo/i-scheduler function makes it so that users are accompanied by a personal virtual assistant (NTT DoCoMo 19).

6.0. Japanese Mobile-Broadband Networks

The major network operators in Japan have been given a lot of attention as mobile customers are eager to see which company will take advantage of the 4G technology first. NTT DoCoMo is the biggest network operator in Japan with 57 million customers in January 2011 (NTT DoCoMo 3). Although KDDI and SoftBank are NTT DoCoMo’s main competitors, they have been surprising slow on the LTE uptake. In a journal article published in August 2010, Mike-Galbraith explains that “DoCoMo's main rivals KDDI andSoftBank are surprisingly quiet about their LTE plans. KDDI is making a major investment in LTE infrastructure but commercial launch is only set for December 2012. Softbank has the best revenue and sub growth, says Kimura, "but not enough to invest aggressively, due to a cash flow shortage." It also lacks a clear 4G roadmap.” (Galbraith 13). Because of these setbacks, NTT DoCoMo is seen as the biggest 4G network operator in Japan for the forseeable future.

In light of these events, NTT DoCoMo has pushed for a movement to unlock handsets so that they can be used by any network operator. This is motivated by SoftBank’s exclusive rights to the iPhone and iPad, which have been noted as some of the most popular handsets in Japan. For once, DoCoMo finds itself in agreement with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) which is pushing for the introduction of the SIM unlocking principle as early as next year to make it possible for users to move their handsets to any operator they choose (Galbraith 13).

NTT DoCoMo launched it’s first LTE mobile service on December 24, 2010 (NTT DoCoMo 12). Some of the distinctive features of this network in comparison to their HSPA services are higher speeds, larger capacity and spectrum efficiency, and lower latency. Figure 6.0.1 shows NTT DoCoMo’s plan for LTE in the near future. NTT DoCoMo offers LTE under the Xi™, or “Crossy” brand in Japan.

Figure 6.0.1. NTT DoCoMo’s planned LTE services up to Fiscal Year 2014. Note the large number of base stations and the vast increase in population coverage.

7.0. LTE-Advanced in Japan

Although LTE-Advanced has not been officially released, NTT DoCoMo has been pre-licensed by the Kanto Bureau of Telecommunications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications for field experiements of LTE-Advanced (NTT DoCoMo R&D). LTE-Advanced, popularly decided to be one of the biggest canditates for ITU’s 4G specifications, is planned to be released in 2012. LTE-A is not a new technology, instead, it is an improvement over the existing LTE networks. Some of the key technologies discussed earlier are being used by NTT DoCoMo to achieve speeds up to 5GBit/s on the downlink. Specifically, NTT DoCoMo is using a 12 x 12 MIMO architecture and aggregate frequency carrier technology to increase the overall spectrum efficiency to 50Bit/s/Hz, or 5GBits/s/100MHz (NTT DoCoMoR&D). However, implementation of these key technologies was only theoretical before NTT DoCoMo was given it’s pre-liscense. Once the liscense is issued, DoCoMo will begin field experiements of LTE-Advanced in real radio environments in the cities of Yokosuka and Sagamihara in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan (NTT DoCoMo R&D).

8.0. NTT DoCoMo Ecosystem

One of the biggest advantages NTT DoCoMo has over its global competitors is the ecosystem that focuses on the network operator. According to Bill Moyers and his 2000-2001 special reports entitled “Earth on the Edge”, ecosystems are defined as “communities of interacting organisms and the physical environment in which they live” (Sugai, Koeder and Ciferri 35). In Japan, NTT DoCoMo is often referred to as a “benevolent dictator” for their mobile ecosystem. By subsidizing up to 50% of the R&D for handset manufacturers and dispersing 91% of their subscription revenues, NTT DoCoMo is considered the central and necessary component for progress in the Japanese mobile ecosystem (Sugai, Koeder andCiferri 36). The advantage of this is that NTT DoCoMo is able to facilitate the progress of mobile internet and the emerging mobile broadband. By focusing on the functionality of the ecosystem as a whole, NTT DoCoMo allowed other parts of the mobile networking system, such as application developers, to make the mobile internet the success it was in Japan. In summation, Takeshi Natsuno remarked that “To popularize a new service, phones, content, and subscribers would all need to progress together, step-by-step. It was our role at DoCoMo to coordinate the pace of that forward progress.” (Sugai, Koeder andCiferri 37).

8.1. A Walled Garden

Although Japan’s mobile internet has seen a huge success, the vast majority of NTT DoCoMo’s high profile investments overseas have failed (Sugai, Koeder and Ciferri 38). Because of these failures, companies learned that the ecosystem in Japan appears to be exclusive from foreign mobile networks. In addition to this failure, Japanese mobile handsets have seen failures in global markets. This is the result of Japanese handsets having to compete with foreign companies who aggressively compete for customers in the world markets. The Japanese handset manufacturers, however, are heavily subsidized and cannot compete against other handsets in a straight-up cost basis (Sugai, Koeder and Ciferri 38). The result is a flourishing ecosystem within the domestic borders of Japan, but an almost assured failure for this model to be applied outside of Japan.

9.0. Global Implications of a 4G Society

By combining the success of the Japanese ecosystem and the implicit standards of technology used in emerging 4G technology, many people should expect to see an emergence of mobile connectivity in the near future. One prime example of this is Google’s Android platform. The android platform is the real ecosystem since NTT DoCoMo’s emergence as a network facilitator. What is unique about the android platform is that users are able to create applications with little to none barriers for entry. This is accomplished by giving users access to Androids Application Programming Interface, or API. The first goal of this movement is that mobile ecosystems will begin to flourish globally, giving rise to the importance of developers in a non-proprietary, fluid mobile network system. The second goal of his movement is to encourage network operators to become “silent organizers” in an ecosystem where the progress and evolution is ensured by the operator. The idea of this second goal comes from the idea that a network cannot evolve if one component of the network lags behind. By operators ensuring that this does not happen, mobile-broadband and networks alike should flourish in a global environment.

9.1. A New Age of Developers

One great advantage of the internet is that anyone can create relatively simple applications which have the potential to attract millions of users. Prime examples of this would be the recent advent of social networking, which has seen applications such as Facebook and Twitter’s user base increase exponentially. The Android ecosystem hopes to utilize this concept in mobile broadband as well, allowing anyone to develop applications for their handsets. This creates two things: a large pool of ideas for applications and a large drive for competition among them. Because the entry barrier is so low into the Android operating system, virtually any programmer can learn the API and begin thinking of ideas of what customers would want. As opposed to having a large department devoted to creating applications, your customers become your developers. Another great dynamic of this ecosystem is competition. If an application developer is competition against 2-3 other large companies for user’s attention, then their competition base may provoke them to make useful and innovative applications. However, if your development base is that of thousands of individuals, then it is almost a requirement that any new successful application be groundbreaking in some shape or form. This creates a very healthy environment where developers are creating extremely useful applications for the next generation user.

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