Wi-Fi Advocates Urge FCC to Prioritize Standards-Setting Process for LTE-U Deployment

Strategic Insights -

Wi-Fi supporters from the cable and high-tech sectors have emphasized the importance of allowing the standards-setting process to play out before implementing LTE-U technology in the US. In a recent ex parte filing in ET docket 15-105, representatives from companies such as Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable, Inc., Charter Communications, Inc., and Google, Inc. expressed concerns that LTE-U's proposed implementation would degrade consumer Wi-Fi services nationwide. The Wi-Fi advocates argue that carriers should work through internationally recognized, open, and transparent standards-setting organizations to develop standards and test procedures for coexistence with Wi-Fi technology.

Key Takeaways:

  • Wi-Fi is now the principal technology Americans use for broadband access and is critical to consumers.
  • The standards-setting process has enabled innovators to turn the unlicensed bands from 'junk bands' into workhorses.
  • LTE-U's proposed implementation would substantially degrade consumer Wi-Fi service across the country.
  • Industry proponents argue that LTE-U will not interfere with Wi-Fi, citing the listen-before-talk (LBT) capability in a standards-based version deployed in Europe and Japan.
  • Wi-Fi advocates stress the importance of protecting consumers and avoiding new regulations related to LTE-U deployment.
  • CableLabs and Google testing have shown that LTE-U will cause disruptions to consumer Wi-Fi operations.
  • Carriers may be able to "set any duty cycle up to 90%" and "transmit on top of Wi-Fi," exacerbating the issue.
  • Proponents of LTE-U argue that testing has repeatedly shown that LTE in the unlicensed bands coexists with Wi-Fi and benefits consumers.
  • Verizon Communications, Inc. notes that Wi-Fi wouldn't be what it is today without the FCC's policies for unlicensed spectrum.
  • The Competitive Carriers Association supports the use of both Wi-Fi and LTE-U technologies and accepts the coexistence of both.

Statistics:

  • Up to 90% duty cycle for carriers to transmit on top of Wi-Fi (Industry presentation)
  • Disruptions to consumer Wi-Fi operations caused by LTE-U (CableLabs and Google testing)
  • Benefits to consumers from LTE in the unlicensed bands, as shown by testing (Proponents of LTE-U)
  • 100% of industry participants present at the meeting with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler (reported on an Oct. 23 meeting in ET docket 15-105)
  • Unknown consumer impact from LTE-U deployment without standards in place (Wi-Fi advocates)

Sources:

  • Comcast Corp.
  • Time Warner Cable, Inc.
  • Charter Communications, Inc.
  • Google, Inc.
  • Cablevision Systems Corp.
  • Bright House Networks LLC
  • CableLabs
  • Microsoft Corp.
  • Broadcom Corp.
  • Ruckus Wireless, Inc.
  • Arris Group, Inc.
  • Boingo Wireless, Inc.
  • Hewlett-Packard Enterprise
  • Paul Nikolich (consultant and standards expert)
  • NCTA (National Cable & Telecommunications Association)
  • CCA (Competitive Carriers Association)
  • Verizon Communications, Inc.
  • ET docket 15-105 (ex parte filing)
  • ET docket 15-105 (meeting with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler on Oct. 23)