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Mobile Broadband Review 2014H1
Mobile Broadband Review 2014H1
Review 2014H1
Contents
Contents
1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................... 1
2 Network Insights........................................................................................................................... 2
2.1 PS Traffic Models in Different Networks ..................................................................................................................... 2
2.1.1 PS Signaling Increasing Dramatically in 4G Networks ............................................................................................. 2
2.1.2 Network Architecture Changes Contributing to Signaling Increases ......................................................................... 3
2.2 RAN Traffic Models in Different RATs ........................................................................................................................ 4
2.2.1 Status for UMTS and LTE Network Rates ................................................................................................................ 4
2.2.2 Reasonable Number of Subscribers Helping Increase LTE Spectrum Efficiency...................................................... 5
2.3 Traffic Distribution of Typical LTE Networks .............................................................................................................. 6
2.3.1 Significant Difference in Traffic Distribution of LTE Networks ............................................................................... 6
2.3.2 10% Video Consumption in an LTE Network Higher Than That of UMTS .............................................................. 8
5 Appendix ...................................................................................................................................... 18
5.1 Overview .................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Contents
ii
Figures
Figures
Figure 2-1 Comparison of UMTS and LTE network architecture ......................................................................... 3
Figure 2-2 Comparison of UMTS and LTE network rates (2013Q2) .................................................................... 4
Figure 2-3 Relationship between LTE DL spectrum efficiency and the number of online subscribers ................. 5
Figure 2-4 Traffic distribution in typical LTE networks (2014Q1) ....................................................................... 6
Figure 2-5 UMTS and LTE traffic distribution comparison in the same carrier's network (2014Q1) ................... 8
Figure 3-1 Experience testing result for the global commercial networks (2014Q1- Q2)..................................... 9
Figure 3-2 Influencing factors for user experience and their relationships ......................................................... 10
Figure 3-3 Acceptance principles for carrier O's xMbps network (2014Q1 - Q2) .............................................. 11
Figure 3-4 Overview of xMbps Anytime Anywhere ........................................................................................... 12
Figure 4-1 Time distribution of video playing on Sohu Video APP (2014Q2) .................................................... 13
Figure 4-2 Percentage of playback with different quality videos on various networks (2014Q2) ...................... 14
Figure 4-3 Comparison of influence of different users (2014Q2) ....................................................................... 14
Figure 4-4 Number of Chinese characters per post for each type of users (2014Q2) .......................................... 15
Figure 4-5 Proportion of Microblogs containing images for each type of users (2014Q2) ................................. 16
Figure 4-6 Proportion of Microblogs forwarded by each type of users (2014Q2) .............................................. 17
iii
Tables
Tables
Table 2-1 PS traffic models in typical networks globally (2014Q1) ...................................................................... 2
Table 2-2 LTE traffic models comparison in typical scenarios .............................................................................. 5
Table 2-3 Traffic distribution of videos in different resolutions in typical LTE networks ..................................... 7
Table 2-4 Monthly traffic tariff comparison in typical LTE networks ................................................................... 7
Table 3-1 Acceptance solutions of carrier O's xMbps network............................................................................ 11
iv
1 Introduction
Introduction
This report consists of three parts: Network Insights, Experience Insights, and User Behavior
Insights. The Network Insights describes the traffic models and traffic distribution of 4G and
3G networks, the differences between 4G and 3G networks, and the causes for the differences.
The Experience Insights explores the main factors that affect users' experience and the
progress of xMbps network deployment. The User Behavior Insights analyzes the video
consumption in different networks as well as the microblog users' behavior, characteristics,
and development trend.
The major findings are as follows:
The traffic model in the PS (Packet Switched) network from 2G/3G evolving to 4G: The
increased signaling load brought by paging and handover, the flattened network architecture
and changed talking modes are the root causes.
A reasonable number of online subscribers is helpful to enhancing the spectrum efficiency of
LTE networks.
The share of video services on the LTE network is about 10% higher than that of the UMTS
network as far as a certain mobile carrier is concerned. Even among the relatively developed
LTE networks, the share of HD videos varies a lot. The data traffic package quota and tariff,
as well as carriers' business orientation have significant impact on the consumption of HD
videos.
New progress was made in the acceptance test criteria of Experience Coverage (for example
xMbps anytime anywhere): the number of xMbps requests, the fill rate of xMbps and
transmitted carrier power (TCP) utility should be combined to decide the criteria for
optimization/expansion, and accept by comparison of the performance counters before or after
the optimization/expansion.
Testing results of the live networks show that the improvement in the quality of user
experience is disproportionate to that in the air interface data rate, and only a coordinated
optimization of the air interface and network architecture can offer the best user experience.
The statistics of Sohu Video show that the video consumption per user is more active in the
4G network than in 2G/3G network. The percentage of the 4G users choosing HD or higher
definition format videos is much higher than that of 2G/3G users (more than 20%).
2 Network Insights
Network Insights
2G
3G
4G
6.38
2.42
1.79
0.71
1.06
0.12
1.84
2.44
11.64
NA
11.35
30.67
0.02
0.10
8.02
0.00
0.01
0.22
374.00
556.00
735.00
0.81
25.00
110.00
NA
78.97
121.84
2 Network Insights
3G (if 124 eNodeBs are deployed in a tracking area (TA) list, the paging request load for
MME brought by each user is 595 times bigger than that of SGSN in 3G networks). In
addition, handover times for each attached 4G user are larger than that of 3G. The changes in
network architecture (the entity that performs paging and handovers move from RNC in 3G
network to MME in the 4G network) and in voice calling modes account for these.
The number of 4G service requests is 2.7 larger than that of 3G. The paging channel (PCH)
deployment in 3G networks reduces the number of signaling messages, while the Dynamic
Discontinuous Reception (DRX) is not deployed in the 4G network so far.
The average packet size in 4G is 1.3 times that of 3G; the traffic volume per user during busy
hours is 4.4 times that of 3G.
The dynamic DRX feature is to reduce the signaling overhead and save UE power consumption when
UEs perform instant messaging and presence class services. It dynamically configures the UE Inactive
Timer and Uplink Synchronization Timer and uses the DRX algorithm in the out-of-synchronization
state to enable the UE online and save the UE power consumption.
2 Network Insights
As to 3G downlink rate, Norway is 5 times of the global average rate, performing far better
than China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. As to 3G uplink rate, most countries
fluctuate around the global average rate, among which Thailand tops by 2.65 Mbit/s.
As to 4G downlink rate, carrier A of United Arab Emirates performs better than any other
carrier. As to 4G uplink rate, carrier A of Malaysia performs better than any other carrier.
Carrier B has advantages over carriers A and C in respect of 3G network in China. However,
it performs worse than the latter two in respect of LTE network.
2 Network Insights
UE inactive
Timer (s)
DL average user
experience rate
(Mbit/s)
UL average user
experience rate
(Mbit/s)
Peak-to-Averag
e Ratio of
online users
DL/UL
traffic
ratio
Scenario 1
20
8.26
0.69
2.58
10.04
Scenario 2
10
8.09
1.27
1.74
9.15
Scenario 3
10.73
1.54
3.57
8.74
Scenario 4
10
11.88
1.64
2.38
7.44
Scenario 5
20
13.33
2.30
1.95
7.5
Scenario 6
15
9.25
1.25
1.56
7.74
2 Network Insights
Scenario
UE inactive
Timer (s)
DL average user
experience rate
(Mbit/s)
UL average user
experience rate
(Mbit/s)
Peak-to-Averag
e Ratio of
online users
DL/UL
traffic
ratio
Scenario 7
20
9.53
1.33
2.44
9.36
As shown in Table 2-2 shows, the DL average user experience rate during busy hours in
advanced LTE networks is stable (standard deviation/mean value = 19%). However, the UL
average experience rate fluctuates a lot (standard deviation/mean value = 34%). The
fluctuation of PAR of online subscribers (1.53.6) and the UL/DL traffic ratio (710) in
different LTE networks is significant.
2 Network Insights
Table 2-3 Traffic distribution of videos in different resolutions in typical LTE networks
Carrier
240P Video
Share
360P Video
Share
480P Video
Share
720P Video
Share
1080P Video
Share
37%
39%
18%
6%
0%
5%
26%
25%
32%
12%
21%
44%
16%
19%
0%
12%
35%
26%
27%
0%
Carrier
Average
Monthly
Traffic
Consumption
Per User
(Gigabytes)
Average
Monthly
Expenditure
(Dollars)
Average
Annual
Income in
2012 (Dollars)
Percentage of
Expenditure
in Monthly
Income
Description
41.958
38,250
1.32%
3.08%
1.56%
58.206
47.472
22,670
36,560
Data Source: The data for users' expenditure was retrieved on 11th August, 2014 from the
corresponding carrier's website. The users' monthly traffic consumption was a mean value
from the industry consulting report, and the monthly expenditure (with local currency unit)
was from the most suitable data traffic package quota and tariff. The numbers in the preceding
table were calculated based on the daily currency by the currency calculator provided by
Hexun.com. The data for average annual income comes from the statistics published by World
Bank in 2012.
In advanced LTE networks, the percentage of HD and higher resolution videos varies a lot.
The data traffic package quota and tariff, as well as carriers' business orientation have
significant impact on the consumption of HD videos.
2 Network Insights
3 Experience Insights
Experience Insights
3 Experience Insights
10
3 Experience Insights
3.3.2 Practice
Table 3-1 Acceptance solutions of carrier O's xMbps network
Scenario
Definition
Solution Proposal
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Scenario 4
Other
None
11
3 Experience Insights
Figure 3-4 shows vividly the idea for Experience Coverage (Brand: xMbps anytime
anywhere).
Figure 3-4 Overview of xMbps Anytime Anywhere
12
13
3000
35000
30000
25000
2500
20000
2000
15000
1500
10000
1000
7521
500
0
5000
4038
695
Individual Users
Expert Users
Individual VIP
Users
Institutional VIP
14
15
16
Individual users: most of them are common people, including the users who are not authenticated as
VIP and have attracted a large number of fans, accounting for 91.43% of the total users.
Active users: the users who are very active among the individual users. They have tags for being
active and a larger number of microblogs and fans than the common users, accounting for 7.18% of
the total users.
Individual VIP: identified Microblog users who are often famous in their fields and have a lot fans,
accounting for 0.71% of the total users.
Institutional VIP: the users include government department, companies, and websites, accounting for
0.68% of the total users.
17
5 Appendix
Appendix
5.1 Overview
This report was written by Huawei Wireless Traffic Model Analysis Team. Based on the data
from global typical commercial mobile networks, the results of live mobile networks' speed
tests, web browsing experience tests, and streaming service experience tests, the statistics of
OTT services characterics, and the statistics of Sohu Video APP. This report tries to
objectively reflect the status and trend for mobile broadband, terminals, services, and user
experience/behavior. However, this report does not present the accuracy and integrity of the
information.
In respect of privacy, all the names of carriers are anonymous in this report. Limited by the
number of samples and the rapid development of mobile broadband, Huawei retains the rights
to modify the later versions of this report and will not be responsible for the results caused by
these modifications.
18
Definitions
3G
4G
eNodeB
LTE
MME
The mobility management entity is an EPC entity that performs the logic
functions related with signaling.
RAU
A routing area (RA) is applied in the packet switched (PS) network of UMTS.
The routing area update is an important part of the mobility management in
the GPRS network, to help identify the locations of UE and enable UE paging.
RTT
The round trip time is the elapsed time for the data to be sent and received
between the transmitter and the receiver.
SGSN
The serving GPRS support node is a functional entity in the PS network of the
GPRS/WCDMA, providing functions such as packet data routing and
forwarding, mobility and session management, logical link management,
authentication and encryption, and charging data record (CDR) generation and
output.
Spectrum
Efficiency
TAU
Tracking area (TA) is applied in the EPS. The UEs both in idle and connected
modes are registered in a TA and managed by EPC. If the TA of the UEs is
changed, the registration information will be changed accordingly. A tracking
area update (TAU) informs EPC whether the UEs are available. If the
handover is performed or the tracking area identity (TAI) is not included in the
TA list, TAU must be performed.
19
Terms
Definitions
TCP
UMTS
20
Reference Documents
Reference Documents
1.
2.
3.
4.
Zhu Min, "South Korea: Advantages for LTE Development", Huaxin Consulting Co.,
Ltd., accessed from http://www.srrc.org.cn/NewsShow9177.aspx, 2014.2
5.
Guo Luqing, "A Comparison of 4G Charges between China and other Countries",
accessed from http://biz.21cbh.com/2014/kuaibao_319/1102834.html, 2014.3
6.
Guo Xiaofeng, "South Korean 4G Network Experience: 300RMB for 6 gigabytes traffic
volume"
7.
8.
Li Wenbin and Gen Bo, "Theoretical Analysis on TCP Throughput 0.2", 2009.6
9.
21