We discuss the following topics in this blog:
- Exploring technologies like OpenRAN for 5G
- Deployment of high-density cables worldwide
In addition to these topics, we shall also be answering the following FAQs:
- What is WiFi?
- What is 5G NR?
Jitendra: One question that we have is one of the emerging trends that we see in the world is basically the deployment of high-density cables where you have ribbonize, cables which are some of them are rollable ribbons or traditional ribbons trying to fit all, not more fiber into a certain footprint which addresses some issues of the capacity, right of way, trade-off have just interested in understanding. How you are thinking about some of these technologies which are just starting to roll out across the world in various geography is like Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia as well on in terms of high fiber count ribbonized cables.
Mr I Gede Darmayusa: It’s a good opportunity to assess. But of course, capex and opex need to be balanced.
Jitendra: With the coming of 5G what your preparations are, so was curious as to, whether you exploring technologies like openRAN for 5G and where you see that going in the future?
Mr I Gede Darmayusa: Assessing for 5G thing is still two or three years from now in Indonesia. The biggest challenges. We don’t have spectrum, the idea spectrum for 5G. Even though we get the information from the government, I think it will take some time because is still being pulled by satellite corporations. Right. But again, whatever we doing now is part of a journey toward 5G. So we don’t want to be lack behind because 5G is all about fiber the way we talk about openRAN.
We are doing PoC for openRAN because again, even though 5G is still two or three years, we can use this openRAN for LTE. And if it’s really like what they promised to bring the opex’s down, bring the CAPEX down as a CEO is much, much lower compared to the existing vendor. As a company, Like XL become very efficient in course is always the main objective and for fiber at the end side. It’s only like fiber to quarter, but for the backbone that’s basically we try as much as possible to bring the fiber to the site. We combine to confirm the fiber with what we have in mobile, and at the same time, we also have enterprise customers who want to be fiberized.
Jitendra: We do all with the current COVID pandemic, disrupting what are, data communications. You’re probably getting an increase in traffic like everybody else. We would like to know a little bit more about whether you think sustainable trend, whether the increase in traffic is something temporary, which is like know where you see that in terms of the traffic on the network.
Mr I Gede Darmayusa: I think the 2% of 3% growth is only a first like the first two or three weeks now it is flattening Now, even last month has been declining after the Libera of Indoor, Fitri and in July, normally is increasing. as a trend, so is not sustained. Growth is not sustained, but in total if we compare year on year, if we in a normal year like the 2019 year on year figure is for like 40% what we predict this year is around 55 to 60% so, like 15 to 20% increased from normal spending.
FAQs
What is WiFi?
Put simply, WiFi is a technology that uses radio waves to create a wireless network through which devices like mobile phones, computers, printers, etc., connect to the internet. A wireless router is needed to establish a WiFi hotspot that people in its vicinity may use to access internet services. You’re sure to have encountered such a WiFi hotspot in houses, offices, restaurants, etc.
To get a little more technical, WiFi works by enabling a Wireless Local Area Network or WLAN that allows devices connected to it to exchange signals with the internet via a router. The frequencies of these signals are either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bandwidths. These frequencies are much higher than those transmitted to or by radios, mobile phones, and televisions since WiFi signals need to carry significantly higher amounts of data. The networking standards are variants of 802.11, of which there are several (802.11a, 802.11b, 801.11g, etc.).
What is 5G NR?
5G typically refers to the fifth generation of wireless technology. NR, commonly known as New Radio, is a standard developed by the 3GPP Group (Release 15 being the first version introduced back in 2018) outlining the technology required to harness the newly-available millimeter-wave frequencies. The two frequency bands in which 5GNR operates are Frequency Range 1, i.e., Sub 6GHz band (410 MHz to 7125 MHz), and Frequency Range 2, i.e., millimeter-wave (24.25 to 52.6 GHz). Over 4G LTE, 5G NR provides better spectrum utilization, faster data rates, hardware efficiency, and improved signal processing.
From a deployment standpoint, we have Non-Standalone Mode(NSA), Dynamic Spectrum Sharing(DSS), and Standalone Mode (SA). The initial deployments of 5G NR are based on NSA standards, meaning the existing 4G LTE network will operate on the control plane, and 5G NR will be introduced to the user plane. This particular standard was introduced by 3GPP, keeping in mind the industry’s push to faster 5G services rollout while utilizing the existing 4G LTE infrastructure currently in place. On the other hand, operators are also implementing Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) to accelerate the deployment cycle, reducing costs and improving spectrum utilization. In this standard, the same spectrum is shared between the 5G NR and 4G LTE, multiplexing over time per user demands. Lastly, we have the Standalone Mode (SA), which moves towards a complete 5G based network where both signaling and the information transfer are driven by a 5G cell.
In the future, 5G will enable new services, connect new industries and devices, empower new experiences, and much more, providing mission-critical services, enhanced mobile broadband, and various other things.
a) Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) Applications: High device connectivity, High mobile data rates, and Mobile AR & VR applications
b) Ultra-reliable, low-latency communications (uRLLC)Applications: Autonomous vehicles, Drones, Data monitoring, Smart mfg.
c) Massive machine-type communications (mMTC)Applications: Healthcare, Industry 4.0, Logistics, Environmental monitoring, Smart farming, Smart grids
