Service-Related Specifics

The correct equipment choice for network operators is equipment that best supports their service
offerings. Chapter 6 explains in detail how equipment supports services and indicates the
equipment complement required for various offerings. The 802.16 standard provides a full feature
set that will enable a considerable range of service offerings, but for services such as
streaming multimedia, conferencing, and voice telephony, special provisions not present in
every system will be necessary. Do not assume that any given piece of equipment can be juryrigged
to provide every conceivable service.
One should also make certain that the radios are provided with all necessary interfaces
for other types of networks with which the broadband wireless network might communicate.
Many, though not all, radios have fiber interfaces, for instance, and if fiber is to be used for backhaul, better to have interfaces in place rather than having to set up outboard optoelectronic
converters.
Another technical consideration is the number of RF ports on the base station controller.
If the operator wants to operate on multiple bands, that many RF ports will be required.
Routing and switching requirements should also be determined before any equipment
contracts are signed. It is certainly possible to use a base station controller with an outboard
router or switch, but it is generally a lot cheaper to buy an integrated network element that
does it all.
Lastly, investigate how the component’s element management system will fit in with the
overall operations support systems (OSS) software suite utilized in the network. Few startups
or competitive service providers can command deep expertise in network management software,
and if off-the-shelf programs can be bolted together and made to work reasonably well,
that is desired. What one wants to avoid is having to hire consultants and trying to harmonize
the software for a single element with an overall system with which it is fundamentally
incompatible.