National Conference on Need Assessment of B.Sc.

Engineering in CSE Program, February 20 ,2013

Future Prospect of 3G Network in Bangladesh

Md. Shah Alam GM, Planning & Implementation, Teletalk Bangladesh Limited, Bangladesh Shah.alam@teletalk.com.bd
Abstract in todays world ICT has become one of the major components of socio-economic development. In the developing countries like Bangladesh, so far ICT could not be capitalized due to the high establishment cost of ICT infrastructure, inapt content and expensive access devices. Since the introduction of cellular Network, although Bangladesh has achieved a significant development in the ICT sector which resulted in increasing demand of ICT services at an affordable price, the existing 2.5G Network along with the other access medium has failed to cope with the high speed data access requirement of the mass people for the services like e-commerce, e-health, e-education and egovernance etc.. A thorough analysis of the present ICT infrastructure, available services, key challenges and recent success stories indicates 3G Network to be the next step of the ICT development in Bangladesh. Reusability of existing infrastructure, reachability, mobility and the high speed connectivity are the key advantages of the 3G Network that would escalate the ICT development in Bangladesh in the upcoming years.

2. OVERVIEW OF 3G TECHNOLOGY
A.Cellular Generation
Based on the service capability the evaluation of mobile communication technology is specified in three different generations [1]. The first generation of mobile network such as the Nordic Mobile Telephony (NMT), Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) etc. were capable of providing only the voice services without the roaming facility. Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) Network were the second generation Networks capable of providing both voice and circuit switched data services with limited roaming facility. Full-fledged triple play services were available only in the third generation (3G) Networks like Universal Mobile Telecommunication System, CDMA2000 1X network etc. with full roaming capability. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) body has standardized the 3G UMTS Network and has taken over the previous GSM standards [2]. However in between 2G and 3G, 2.5G technology is referred to the Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Network capable of providing packet switched data services.

Keywords 3G Network; ICT Development; High speed data access; e-Governance

1. INTRODUCTION
Being a developing country Bangladesh is still facing difficulties in delivering the ICT services to its citizens to improve the social and economic welfare. The two major components of ICT, the ICT services enriched in local contents and a unified Network to deliver the services, are not yet fully developed in this region. However, since the introduction of the Cellular Mobile technology in 1992, the ICT sector is growing rapidly. At present the countrywide 2.5G Network is playing a vital role in providing the limited capacity ICT services. But the low data rate of 2.5G Network is not sufficient for the increasing demand. As such, the 3G Network capable of providing triple play services at a higher data rate is the inevitable next big step towards the ICT development in Bangladesh. Though the CDMA was the pioneer mobile technology in Bangladesh, GSM Network supporting EDGE is dominating the mobile communication sector at present. Inevitably the UMTS, 3G evolution of GSM Network, is going to be the cost effective migration towards 3G technology due to the reusability of GSM/EDGE Network subsystem. Accordingly as 3G technology, UMTS Network will be referred vise verse throughout the paper in Bangladesh context.

B. 3G (UMTS) Network Architecture

3G-UMTS Network consists of two distinct subsystems; radio access subsystem and the core network subsystem. The core network subsystem is capable of handling both GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) and UMTS radio Access technology Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). The Core Network subsystem is adopted from GSM and consists of two users traffic dependent domains and several commonly used entities. Circuit switched (CS) type traffic is handled in the CS Domain and the Packet switched (PS) type traffic is handled in the PS Domain. Both the domains use the functions of the remaining GSM entities the Home Location Register (HLR) together with the Authentication Center (AC), or the Equipment Identity Register (EIR) - for subscriber management, mobile station roaming and identification, and handling different services. In figure-1, a 3GPP-Rel-99 Network architecture is presented which consist of the two different radio access parts, BSS and

HEQEP, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, CUET

First Author (First Name, Last Name) et al. UTRAN, and the core network parts for circuit switched (e.g. voice) and packet switched (e.g. email download) applications. GSM/EDGE Network is capable of providing this bandwidth, the capacity in terms of user is very limited which can be overcome by the high speed 3G UMTS Node-B by dividing the available capacity amongst the users.

3. 3G IN THE CONTEXT OF BANGLADESH

A. ICT Services in Bangladesh
The ICT sector in Bangladesh has grown significantly in the last two decade. The mere numbers of internet users has grown into a mammoth 30 million in the last decade mainly due to the ease of data connectivity using the 2.5G Network. The Table-1 shows the internet user statistics in Bangladesh [6]. Table 1: Internet user in Bangladesh Category Mobile Internet (2.5G) Wire (ISP & PSTN) Internet
Figure 1. 3GPP Rel-99 Network Architecture [3] GGSN: Gateway GPRS Support Note

User in million 27.78 1.21 0.42 29.41

Wi-Max broadband Internet Total Internet User

In this Network architecture only the new UTRAN Radio access Network consisting Node-B and Radio Network Controller (RNC) is introduced with necessary interfaces like Iu-CS, Iu-PS etc. The new radio access Network UTRAN uses the WCDMA technology which ensures better spectrum utilization, higher data transfer capability and enhanced security. However in subsequent releases a good many number of network elements have been introduced to incorporate vigorous service capabilities including multimedia. Besides the UTRAN technology has been enhanced for higher data rates up to 337 Mbps in downlink and 23 Mbps in uplink [4].

C. 3G (UMTS) Service capability

The 3G-UMTS service capability has been enhanced in the subsequent releases. Initially in rel-99 the regular GSM and GPRs services were reserved and data speed up to 383 kbps was introduced. Limited capacity IP multimedia service (IMS) capability including multimedia message service was incorporated in Rel-5 with increased data rate up to 2 Mbps by introducing 1.28Mcps chip rate. Full-fledged IMS were standardized in Rel-5 as well as the downlink data rate was increased up to 14 Mbps by introducing 3.84Mcps and High Speed Downlink Packet data Access (HSDPA) with 384kbps bearer. Multimedia broadcast multicast service capability was included in Rel-6 and the uplink data rate was increased up to 5.76Mbps for category-6 mobile handsets by standardizing High Speed Uplink Packet data Access (HSUPA). In the later releases the radio access Network was enhanced in order to increase the data rate and in Rel-9 the uplink data rate was increased to 23 Mbps and in Rel-11 the Downlink data rate was increased to 337 Mbps. Further enhancement of data rate is then carried out in 3G evolution which is termed as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) and later on as LTE Advanced [5]. However, in Bangladesh context, 256 kbps/user connectivity would be sufficient for the time being. But though the existing

The Government has emphasized in e-governance and is in the process of facilitating the public services over internet. The private sector is also contributing in the development of ICT services like e-commerce, mobile banking, e-health, and eeducation etc. Besides, software freelancing, remote surveillance and video conferencing services are gaining popularity resulting in increasing demand of higher data speed connectivity. As such the existing low speed wireless mobile data connectivity is failing to meet the requirement appropriately. The flexibility and scalability of the 3G Network with its wide range of service capability along with mobility, can easily cope with this increasing demand of data connectivity in Bangladesh for the rapid development of ICT.

B. Iinfrastructure for data connectivity

Bangladesh joined the Sea-Me-We-4 submarine cable consortium in 2005 [7]. Earlier the internet was available through VSAT which was very expensive. Since 2005, the data connectivity rate has been decreased significantly which rapidly increased the internet penetration. At the beginning wired broadband connectivity was flourished focusing the city area. Later on the wireless data connectivity was introduced by the mobile operators. At present three different sort of data connectivity are available in Bangladesh; the wired broadband connectivity, mobile internet connectivity and the high speed wireless broadband- Wi-Max connectivity. The wired broadband and wireless Wi-Max connectivity could not speed up the internet penetration, especially in the rural areas because of their high used Frequency ( 3 GHz) establishment cost and lack of mobility. In the contrary, the mobile internet service penetrated greatly because of its countrywide coverage. The already deployed mobile Network helped the Mobile operators to introduce the data services rapidly all over the country using the same infrastructure.

National Conference on Need Assessment of B.Sc. Engineering in CSE Program, February 20 ,2013 Similarly as the 3G UMTS Network utilizes most of the elements in GSM/EDGE core Network, it can be introduced with very low investment all over the country. Besides, existing resources like the BTS sites including space and Antenna Tower can reused for the 3G UMTS Network deployment which will significantly reduce the establishment cost.

it is being suggested to add the following points in the syllabus which may considered in designing Project also. 1. Website with CMS(joomla , word press etc) and CMS development. CMS means content management system. Website can be developed with facility of blog, feedback, faq (frequently ask question), other plugins. Student may develop a CMS like Joomla, Word press or Magneto as a project. 2. Web programming For web application development it is wise to use client side browser language-ajax, JavaScript, j query and server side scripting language php or java(spring frame work) . For development tool students need to be equipped with open source IDE - XAMPP/WAMP for php and net beans/eclipse with jdk for Java. Students may have the updated IDE fetching it through goggling. 3. E-commerce: E-Commerce Platform is a software application where businesses can provide ecommerce to their customers over the internet. e-commerce applications for Business to Business transactions, streamline the B2B sales process. Need to evaluate the e-commerce site structure & development should be supporting of credit cardsVisa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover, merchant account, bank account , payment gateway ) Student may go through https://stripe.com/docs/examples for help. 4. Linux : Unix understanding. Redhat enterprise linux6(installation , basics of configuration of servers- yum,samba, nfs,ntp,web,proxy ,nis, lvm,ssh ,pop3,ftp , imap, virtualhost & application of iptables. 5. Networking: Basic concepts, Understanding the protocols and usageTCP/IP,OSI,SS7,SIGTRAN,MPLS,3GPP,BGP,Routed,R outing,IGRP,VRRP,RTP,PPTP,SMTP,RTSP,RTP,POP3, TELNET,IMAP,RADIUS,SNMP etc. use of tools NS2 , OMNET & Seagull for network simulation. Understanding of data services and their differences 2G,EDGE,3G, LTE(4G),NGN, wifi, wimax etc. 6. Virtualization: Cloud computing is the emerging trend for virtualization. It has three formsi) HAAS-Hardware as a service, ii) SAAS-Software as a service, iii) PAAS- Platform as a service.

C. Challenges of 3G
The Major challenge of 3G in Bangladesh perspective is the expensive user device. At present a 3G enabled device costs more than USD 100 which is luxurious for a major part of the citizens as the per capita income is still below USD 850 in Bangladesh [8]. However, the 3G enabled devices price is decreasing and it is expected to be in an affordable range within a few years. Besides, the Government has initiated to facilitate community internet services through the Union Information and Service Center (UISC) [9]. On top of that the Government is distributing free laptops to the educational institutes in the rural areas. Other private initiatives are also there to ensure access to information for the pro-poor society. Another disadvantage of UMTS is High frequency ( 2G) , as a result less coverage compare to GSM ( 900Mhz & 1.8 G). In Building solution is required for in building coverage. Optimization between 2G & 3G is another challenge. However, using modern tools it can overcome.

4.

UPDATING PRESNT SYLLABUS

The present Syllabus was prepared on 2008. Already 5 yrs have passed. In the meantime Telecommunication has advanced significantly than other Technology. Even Mobile Tele-Communication advanced more than other branch of Telecommunication. Core Become NGN, packet switched (ps) based from Circuit Switched & Transmission became SDH based to all- IP based gradually. VAS (value added services) become more optimized, web based user friend. Vendors are spending most of their lion share of budget in R & D (Research & Development) rather than Hard Ware. As a result in determining the cost of Equipment, licensing & services becomes prime factor than Hardware. Basic Knowledge of Telecommunication is essential for a CSE professional for designing a Telocom based VAS. A CSE Professional should be specialized with Generalized rather than only Specialized. He/ She should aware of latest applications, are being used in e-commerce, ,m-commerce, ehealth, e-education .etc Considering all above the points & going thoroughly to Present Syllabus it has been found that most of the things needs to cover updated Data Communication Networking already covered in Present Syllabus of Data Networking and Computer Networking" . But stress should be given to more "hands on operation". In that regard GNS3 is an excellent application where 100+ Routers can be accommodated in the software live. More over from the application point of view

HEQEP, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, CUET

First Author (First Name, Last Name) et al. It can be tested using Vmware ESX or oracle virtual box. Student may install client application of ESX/ Virtual Box in a client machine and server application of ESX/Virtual Box in a server machine. Then a software/ OS can be loaded from client to Sever machine using ESX/Virtual Box client. World famous companies like amazon are providing already the cloud service over the net. Database: Oracle Database is most prominent in DB world. It is required to know: i) How to install oracle in Linux & understanding architecture ii) Basic and advance operation(backup, restore, recovery, performance tuning) iii) RAC configuration for high availability iv) Data guard configuration for restricting switch over or fail over BSC, RNC, Access N/W Etc.

4. CONCLUSION
Despite of the drawbacks, it is anticipated that the internet penetration would increase rapidly with the introduction of 3G technology. However the major prospects of the 3G Network is its wide range of service capability which is very much required to ensure the rapid development of ICT. Considering Bangladesh context, user demand & other factors mentioned above it may conclude that at least next five years 3G will be sufficient to fulfill the market demand. Then 4G (LTE Long Term Evolution ) may come as competitor but depends on handset availability, licensing value & market demand.

7.

5. Acknowledgment
Thanks to System Operation, Marketing, IT & Billing and Planning & Implementation department of Teletalk especially Mr. Mohammed Tawrit GM/ SO, Mr. Asif Hossain Naser, Deputy Manager ,Planning & Implementation ,Mr Jashim Uddin, DM/ IT & billing of Teletalk Bangladesh , Ltd for their contribution to prepare this paper.

Student may choose project for implementing RAC & Data guard in Linux. RAC & Data guard are being used up over the planet from service provider companies bank & Telcos thats a industry standard. 8. Nano technology- Introduction , Basic concepts. It may be the leader tech. in future earth. 9. HCI (Human computer interaction): basics & implementation for project. For example- A badly injured patients facial expression & eye movement is monitored through webcam & Images are analyzed in a regular interval. If any abnormality happens then immediate measures are taken. 10. Basic Telecommunication : - PSTN, Tele Traffic Engineering, PDH-SDH Transmission, MPLS etc. 11. Basic Mobile Communication : - GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, WIMAX, WiFi, Bluetooth Technology etc. - 2G/ 3G Basic Knowledge : MSS, HLR, IN/CBS,

REFERENCES
[1] [3] [4] [6] & [2] (2013, Jan.) The 3GPP website. [Online]. Available: http://www.3gpp.org R.Kreher & T. Rudebusch, UMTS Signalling, Tektronix Berlin
GmbH & Co KG.

[7] [8] [9]

& [5] (2013, Jan.) The 3GPP specification website. [Online]. Available: http://www.3gpp.org/specification (2013, Jan.) The BTRC website. [Online]. Available: http://www.btrc.gov.bd/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&i d=409:internet-subscribers-in-bangladesh&catid=49:telconews&Itemid=502 (2013, Jan.) The BSCCL website. [Online]. Available: www.bsccl.com.bd/ (2013, Jan.) The Bangladesh Bank website. [Online]. Available: http://www.bb.org.bd/econdata/ (2013, Jan.) The Access to Information Bangladesh website. [Online]. Available: http://www.a2i.pmo.gov.bd/index.php

[10] 4shared.com/w3schools.com/ other torrent site /google( Very

helpfull for Data Communication)