[AusNOG] AAB Statement

[John Edwards]

On 01/09/2010, at 7:32 AM, Mark Smith wrote:
>  For example, 4G might
> be able to go up to speeds of 100Mbps, but if it has a link latency of
> 100ms-200ms (I don't know, I'm making some estimations based on 3G
> experiences), the amount of bandwidth won't matter to people using
> interactive or latency sensitive applications.

To be fair, a lot of the latency in current mobile networks is related to the centralised aggregation required to ensure that mobility (and potentially wholesale aggregation) works correctly as users move between different coverage areas.

We might be more sensitive here in SA because of aggregation in occurring in the Eastern states for some data services.

The aggregation boxes are on the expensive side, are often part of single-vendor "solutions",  tend to require big support contracts and must be purchased in addition to other expensive components like BRAS etc. Because they're a fairly specialised piece of hardware, prices aren't likely to come down or be pressured by competitive alternatives. Business models consistent with current broadband price expectations can only support a handful of these aggregation points, and even then it's a difficult cost to pass on to a wholesale market.

If you settle for fixed-only wireless you can go without these aggregation pains and use cheap routers and switches for aggregation; but try telling that to marketers and investors.

There are parties in the AAB who know all of this, I'm sure it has been factored in already.

John