Lantiq s DSLTE technology enables carriers to offer combined DSL and LTE for highest data rates

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1 Backgrounder Lantiq s DSLTE technology enables carriers to offer combined DSL and LTE for highest data rates A growing number of network operators face the competitive challenge to offer broadband access rates beyond 100Mbps. The combination of VDSL and LTE using Lantiq DSLTE technology enables operators to reach this performance goal with minimum investment as they smartly re-use their existing network infrastructure. Carriers combining mobile and fixed line network access can create one broadband pipe that reaches up to 300Mbps aggregated data throughput with high reliability. DSLTE combines LTE and xdsl - the clear market drivers for the mobile infrastructure and wireline access networks respectively. Infonetics reported that LTE revenue grew 115% in 2012 from The report also stated that 145 commercial LTE networks have been launched in 66 countries as of January In addition the market researchers forecast that the LTE market will almost double in In wireline access there is a significant VDSL subscriber growth. IHS isuppli expects that VDSL subscribers will increase at a 30% CAGR through 2017 and that VDSL CPE will account for 56% of all DSL CPE in VDSL-ready CPE system shipments are forecast to grow from about 22 million in 2012 to more than 57 million in The DSLTE approach adds a LTE link to a DSL gateway, allowing operators to boost broadband access performance by leveraging existing network infrastructure with a minimum investment. At the same time operators significantly increase their network reliability for fallback scenarios. Combining DSL and LTE opens up new business opportunities for operators. DSLTE technology expands link tunnel bandwidth up to 300Mbps from home connectivity to WAN through link aggregation. This provides Telecom operators with a cost-effective and high performance alternative to compete with cable operators. Christoph von Schierstaedt

2 - 2 - Figure 1: Lantiq s DSLTE technology enables carriers to offer combined DSL and LTE for highest data rates Flexible design approach The key element to address in the broadband access equation lies in the configuration of the customer premise device (CPE). In its current generation chipsets, the Lantiq AnyWAN system architecture supports an array of wide area network (WAN) interfaces and connectivity technology. AnyWAN's optimized system chip and software architecture gives OEMs and carriers maximum flexibility in CPE design and deployment. It provides broadband equipment suppliers with the flexibility to build gateways supporting an array of WAN interfaces and local network connectivity options from a single base design. It is capable of supporting broadband access delivered via ADSL2/2+ or VDSL2, Ethernet, GPON, or LTE. In-home networking supported by the architecture includes Gbit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, DECT/CATiq, powerline and other home networking links, as well as telephony services including both legacy and VoIP. Developers can leverage development effort and cost by using a single base design and Lantiq s Universal Gateway (UGW) software architecture to implement multiple end customer platforms. Lantiq collaborates with vendors of complementary technologies to provide reference platforms and more fully-integrated solutions to meet evolving CPE requirements. DSLTE is a good example of this collaboration, combining LTE technology and

3 - 3 - Lantiq DSL services as an access interface for home gateways. DSLTE is based on the proven Lantiq communications processor and VDSL transceiver families to secure best in class data link reliability for broadband services. Especially in rural and suburban areas this can be the technology of choice for the carrier to bring high quality broadband to its customer base and minimize the churn rate. DSLTE reference design Lantiq is demonstrating its DSLTE technology based on a reference design that combines a bonded VDSL broadband access link with an additional LTE access link in a single residential gateway. This advanced technology setup enables equipment manufacturers to provide service carriers with systems offering highest bundled data rates and flawless Quality-of-Service (QoS), that leverage their existing xdsl and LTE networks. The reference design is based on Lantiq s AnyWan XWAY GRX Network Processor family, which includes Lantiq s latest technology for bonded VDSL and Vectoring. DSLTE combines the Lantiq platform with a pre-integrated LTE module, enabling a throughput of up to 300Mbps with minimum CPU load. Efficient usage of the aggregated 300Mbps speeds is controlled by software. Figure 2: Hybrid VDSL-LTE Gateway to upgrade the carrier infrastructure to data rates of up to 300Mbps

4 - 4 - New opportunities for operators Combining DSL and LTE opens up new business opportunities for operators. Link aggregation using DSLTE technology can expand the link tunnel bandwidth up to 300Mbps from home connectivity to WAN. It is a cost effective and powerful alternative for Telecom operators to compete with Cable operators. The xdsl access networks deployed today provide triple-play and even quad-play data rates in loop lengths of 500 m or more, and still bandwidth between 1 to 20Mbps on longer loop lengths (>1km). Bundling VDSL with LTE will allow carriers to reach much higher bandwidth in areas that are further away from the central office or DSLAM. Thus, DSLTE is a concept which allows DSL operators to extend the lifetime of their DSL network (without big infrastructure investments) by adding an LTE link and offering a combined/bundled pipe. DSLTE is an ideal solution not only to bring high bandwidth to rural areas, but also to achieve highest data rates in urban areas with shorter loop lengths. It enable DSL operators to compete against cable operators, which are offering data rates up to 100Mbps (as a shared medium the date rate using cable is limited at high traffic). It also increases the reliability of the internet connection, as the second link offers some redundancy. For operators that offer services based on both DSL and LTE, DSLTE provides an USP. The combined faster services can provide a clear advantage over competition. Having this in mind it is expected that some LTE-only operators may considering teaming up with DSL-only operators to create a bundled offering. This would be a win-win situation and create new business opportunities for both operators. Adding LTE to the DSL link can cover peaks in bandwidth demand when the DSL line is busy with other services. DSL operators face the challenge that cable operators are advertising up to 100Mbps speeds. High investment costs are limiting the upgrade of the DSL networks or the move to Fibre. DSLTE provides a cost-effective and high-performance solution - combining DSL + LTE to one broadband pipe to offer data rates >100Mbps.

5 - 5 - Different DSLTE implementations A hybrid VDSL-LTE gateway (IAD) offers an efficient approach to upgrade carrier infrastructure towards >100 Mbps data rate. But a one-box solution may be a deployment challenge, as the location of the DSL box is not necessarily the best location for a LTE box. In other situations, a dual-box approach can be used to enable best possible LTE reception. In this case there is a WLAN point-to-point link between the Base and Extender module. This link can be implemented, for example, using the powerful WAVE300 Wi-Fi chip from Lantiq. The Base module operates as system master, managing the combined DSL+LTE pipe. The Extender can be installed by the subscriber and will find and connect to the Base automatically. Even with a two-box approach, the customer can enjoy the combined pipe performance. Figure 3: DSLTE implementation using a dual box approach to optimize LTE reception DSL and LTE will operate in parallel. There are different ways/options to use these combined channels: Implementation options can be focused on service distribution, peak time balancing or session sharing. One scenario could be that certain services will run through the DSL line (e.g. IPTV, Video) and other services through LTE (internet surfing). Another option would be to use the DSL link as the default link and switch on the additional LTE link only in peak times. Or sessions might be distributed

6 - 6 - between both link channels. The distribution can be policy based, with policies (protocol based) configured to route specific application traffic over a particular WAN. The policies also can be enabled / disabled at run-time. Summary Lantiq DSLTE technology is a simple concept, with the complexity of implementation handled by Lantiq hardware and software, which allows the addition of a LTE link to a DSL gateway. This enables operators to boost broadband access performance significantly while leveraging existing network infrastructure with a minimum investment. Based on its innovative chipsets and flexible AnyWAN approach, Lantiq has demonstrated that DSLTE can provide aggregated data rates of up to 300Mbps.