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IntroductionObjectivesMethodology

dIndustry OverviewTechnology Level of Mobile IndustryTechnology ProblemsRecommendationsConclusions

First operator; Celltel (Millicom – SA) entered in 1989From 2004 to 2010 industry had an annual growth of around 35‐40%About 14 millions subscribersCurrently 5 players are operating

Airtel – Bharathi Airtel (India)

Dialog – Axiata (Malaysia)

Etisalat – Etisalat (Dubai)

Hutch – Hutchison (Hong Kong)

Mobitel – SLT (Sri Lanka)

Assess Technology Level of Sri Lankan Mobile Communication Industry Identifying main technology issues in the

dindustryProposing technological solution for those issues

Secondary DataTRCSLCentral Bank ReportsGSA

Interviews with Engineers and Managers of all operatorsMobile Equipment vendors were contacted regarding available and future technologies

Cellular subscriber growth

14000

16000

Cellular Phones (’000)

70

80

Cellular Mobiles per 100 Persons

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Source: Central Bank of Sri Lanka

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Regional Comparison

1200

1400

Cellular Mobiles per 1000 Persons

0

200

400

600

800

1000

Source: Central Bank of Sri Lanka (Data – 2007 )

Contribution to GNP

60000

70000

GNP ‐ Post & Telecommunication

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

GN

P in

Mill

ions

Passing a gloomy period Global economic recession was affectedNew entrants – 5th OperatorSharp reduction of the reference price by Sharp reduction of the reference price by approximately 50%Adjustments of business models and structures, downsizing, recruitment freezing

Operation outsourcingVendor Financing

Reported operating losses

World Telecommunication TechnologiesTechnology Generation

Subscribers Percentage(%)

(millions)

Analog 1G 0.3 0.01TDMA 2G 2.19 0.06

Source: www.telecomindiaonline.com

PDC 2G 6 0.18

CDMAONE 2G 6.95 0.18

iDEN 2G 28 0.74

CDMA2000 1x 2.5G 455 7.7

GSM 2G/2.5G 3700 80.42

WCDMA 3G 240 6.32

CDMA2000 1x EV‐DO 3G 112 2.8

CDMA2000 1x EV‐DO‐RevA 3.5G 3.2 0.08

WCDMA/HSPA 3.5G 57 1.52

Technology Comparison of Sri Lankan Mobile Operators – Bench Marking

Sri Lankan

O tTechnologies used World Status

Operator

AirtelGSM/GPRS/EDGE

WCDMA/HSPA *GSM/GPRS/EDGE are 2G/2.5G popular

technologies in world

*WCDMA/HSPA are growing 3G/3.5G

technologies

*HSPA+ is commercially available now

*LTE is emerging as a 4G technology in the world

DialogGSM/GPRS/EDGE

WCDMA/HSPA/HSPA+

Etisalat GSM/GPRS/EDGE

Hutch GSM/GPRS/EDGE

MobitelGSM/GPRS/EDGE

WCDMA/HSPA/HSPA+

Sri Lanka is the first country introduced following technologies in South Asia

GSMGEDGE

WCDMAHSPAHSPA+

Sri Lankan Mobile Companies have latest technology

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Capacity LimitationsNot having developed fiber infra‐structure 99% MW are used for 99% MW are used for backhauling (Limited capacity)

Limited spectrum for Microwave linksmore than 10000 Microwave LinksHigh maintenance costTRCSL h t ll d P i t t M lti P i t TRCSL has not allowed Point to Multi‐Point backhauling technologies

Fiber to sitesExtending fiber network to base stations

Transport Technologies usedDedicated TDM based transmission is used mostly for backhauling data trafficPacket based transmission is necessary for Packet based transmission is necessary for efficiency

IP RANPower availability Issues

Mobile base stations are located in hill areasNational grid is not available High cost (Diesel generators)High cost (Diesel generators)No developed green energy system(Solar and wind )

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Green Technologies

Global Telecom Emissions 2002 – 2020 Source: The Climate Group and Global e‐Sustainability Initiative

Solar Power SolutionSolar‐wind Hybrid Power SolutionSolar‐diesel generator Hybrid Power Solution

Still not popularHigh initial costLarge area required for solar

lpanelsLimited capacity

Limited Spectrum for Mobile base stations

5 operators in GSM4 operators in UMTSSmall frequency range for one operatorDifficult frequency planning

TRC need to manage licenses

Tower LoadingMicrowave AntennasPanel AntennasLarge wind area

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Laser Links 1.5 Mbps to 10 Gigabit speedsInterferenceInterference can best be described as the effect of unwanted signals or noise on the reception of a wanted signal. reception of a wanted signal.

Main issue is Many operators in same technologyTRC regulationNeed to limit number of operators for one system ..etc

Implementation of National fiber backbone & Develop fiber infra‐structure in the country(fiber to sites)

fUse of green power sourcesMore Infrastructure Sharing

Sri Lanka is using state of art technology in the mobile industryInfrastructure and power are major cost componentsTRC need to pay more attention on managing the resources and issuing the licenses

Thank you