The Future of Wireless Communications by William Webb 12.11.01

Possible Questions

1. List the Principal categories of wireless communications
2. Characterize the hierarchy of human needs and discuss the relation of wireless communications to the categories of needs.
3. Characterize the business conditions outlook for cellular operators during the coming 5 years.
4. Characterize the alternative technologies of W-LAN and the business case for them. Recap also on experience so far.
5. Explain the concept of PAN from networking point of view.
6. Describe the problem of call forwarding in separate mobile, wireline and IP networks and how this problem will be solved by the all-IP network.
7. Discuss the relationship of cost of bandwidth in wireless and in wired networks.
8. Discuss the growth pattern in typical file size and disk space on a PC between 1980….2020.
9. Discuss the coding rates needed for video now and in the future.
10. Explain Moore’s law. Discuss its relationship to RF circuitry. Also give cost trend of the RF circuitry as function of frequency.
11. Discuss the impact of Shannon’s law on the future of wireless communications. How close are the 3G systems to reaching the capacity/MHz given by the Shannon’s law?
12. Discuss the problems and cost factors in building a micro- and pico-cell network now and in the future.
13. Describe advantages and drawbacks of standards.
14. Compare the European model of standardisation and the US model. Advantages and drawbacks of both models. Give estimates of duration of the process from idea to equipment availability.
15. Discuss the potentially available spectrum and potential needs of new spectrum for cellular systems.
16. Advantages and disadvantages of providing a service in an unlicensed band.
17. Describe the principle of UWB – Ultra Wide Band radio.
18. Describe financial constraints of taking up a new development in the area of wireless technology.
19. Discuss the potential impact of environmental and health issues on the future of wireless communications.
20. Consider the stability of the set of leading players in the wireless market including vendors and operators over the coming years.
21. Consider the business model and potential of MVNOs – mobile virtual network operators.
22. Discuss the history of DECT+GSM dual mode phone.
23. Using the methodology of the book, how would a 20 year prediction have looked like in 1980? Would that prediction have been of any use?

Birchler, Marturano, Yester:

24. Discuss the prediction of communications services at home by 2020.
25. Compare W-LAN and Wide area Cellular in terms of time to market at a user rate and capacity at a certain time. (191).
26. Will PAN and WLAN compete or complement each other and integrated into one system.
27. Fixed wireless potential and plans. Impact in mid- and long term.
28. Discuss issues influencing public acceptance of wireless services.
29. Discuss the required user bit rates, cell sizes and need for new spectrum in 20 years.

Mouly:

30. Explain Mouly’s argument about the future of mobile data.
31. What does Mouly mean by centrifugism of services.
32. Describe the future/emerging operator role model advocated by M. Mouly.

Ojanperä

33. Why will mobile data fly as a service according to Ojanperä? Describe the phases of development for the next 20 years according to Ojanperä.
34. Future network development scenarios according to Ojanperä.

Malcolm Oliphant

35. What are the four stages of mobile wireless evolution according to Oliphant? What are the goals 3G aims to meet.
36. What constrains the wireless future according to Oliphant? How is 3G fundamentally different from earlier generations according to Oliphant?

Sigmund Redl

37. Positioning methods according to Redl. Give some examples of types of services made possible by positioning information.

Mike Short

38. What are the most important market drivers according to Short? Most likely mobile internet service required by corporations.
39. How should regulation change over in the near future according to Short?

UK Radio communications Agency

40. Describe the four scenarios of 2010 developed by the RA.

Summary of views of the experts

41. Content and services predictions towards 2020 according to the summary.
42. What will the handsets be like by 2020 according to the summary?
43. Operator role model in 2020 according to the summary. Give your own view also.
44. What are the risks that may hinder the bright future according to the summary.
45. Summarize and evaluate the contributor’s ideas of the future.

Key developments required

46. How is traffic expected to grow in 20 years?
47. What are the key technical principles, laws and constraints that dominate wireless communications.
48. Discuss the need and availability of spectrum for communications services over the next 20 years. Which services are good for licensed and unlicensed bands.
49. Give the argument for the penetration of the in-building wireless networks. What are the consequences at home and in the office?
50. Explain the service requirements of a single wireless phone for all times and uses. Hint: discuss service profiles.
51. What new functionality is required to integrate e-mail to mobile devices.
52. Discuss the economies of video communications to wireless devices. Give argument for and against the willingness to pay for video calls.
53. Give the argument for fixed wireless to succeed. What hinders the development?
54. Give likely future scenario of WLAN. Do you agree with Webb?
55. Based on file size prediction and willingness to wait for incoming information, what access speeds are required by 2010 and 2020 in wireless and in wireline networks? Will these access speeds be available and affordable in wireless including mobile and fixed wireless?
56. Describe machine-to-machine communications requirements and solutions at home including lower and higher layers.
57. Solution of broadband connectivity to home, role of wireline and wireless technology.
58. Discuss the key uncertainties in the wireless future.