LTE for Public Safety

Preface

Long-Term Evolution (LTE) has turned out to be a huge success story not only technology wise but also commercially. At the time of writing this book, more than 300 LTE networks are deployed around the world. The number of available LTE user devices is close to 1900 (figures are taken from Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA)). LTE technology allows addressing a wide market, potentially all Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network operators, and also Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators and even operators providing converged fixed and mobile networks. LTE provides in-built support for interworking with GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), CDMA, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), and fixed broadband access. With 3rd Generation Partnership Program (3GPP), LTE is backed by a strong standardization organization. Corrections and enhancements to the LTE system are provided rapidly and are based on consensus among all major device and infrastructure vendors. In addition, LTE can operate in a large variety of frequency bands. In the future even unlicensed bands might be supported. All this together provides strong confidence in the LTE technology, in the standardization process, and in a reasonable total cost of ownership for all players (operators as well as vendors). Thus, LTE was a natural choice as the future mobile broadband radio technology ...