These changes are the result of mobile service providers moving to 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, explains Alcatel-Lucent. But for service providers to take advantage of the benefits that IP and LTE offer, they will need to change to a business model that takes advantage of users’ needs for enhanced services and applications, says the company.

It is clear that the need is there, and it is rising exponentially. There is increasing use of smartphones and other advanced portable devices. Consumers and enterprises can use laptops and netbook computers, as well as other types of handheld devices. And in the future, new devices will be brought to market. In the future, connected cars and machine-to-machine connections are just some of the possible uses that will require mobile network capacity. These will also lead to new business models, including joint ventures, shared risks/rewards, and contract diversification, says Alcatel-Lucent.

Alcatel-Lucent adds that it offers comprehensive services for managing such a transformation of wireless broadband. The services are customized to addresses each providers’ specific technical, business and market requirements, according to the company. Providers will also want to take advantage of users’ increased demand for advanced, as well as personalized, apps and services.

In addition, service providers can set up a High Leverage Network supported by LTE and all-IP that will employ “new business models and competitive sustainability, while addressing immediate and future end user requirements,” the company said.

There is a need to manage such a transformation from end-to-end to meet varied business and market requirements, says Alcatel-Lucent. The company says it may include combination of the following:

--Service delivery and operations
--Architecture and network design
--Quality levels and optimization
--IP transformation and integration

Alcatel-Lucent LTE transformation services include:

--Strategy development. This service features vision workshops and creating a map to help lead the provider from the current operation to a future one. It also features setting up a baseline and ranking of decisions that need to be made.

--Planning. This service defines and validates “architecture, network and operations design, consumer and vertical services, and ecosystem development,” the company said.

--Execution. This service features “multi-vendor LTE and IP deployment and integration, installation, service migration and systems integration, as well as operations readiness for all-IP and LTE, including the people skills and operations of multiple networks (2G/3G/4G and IP/IMS core), and leveraging full or partial outsourcing to achieve OPEX requirements,” the company said.

--Lifecycle management. This service features maintenance of the network, and its optimization, so the network can work at its best.

Alcatel-Lucent says that a “typical” service provider transformation could include:

--Early-stage consulting to identify models that will lead to profitable services.

--Discover of technical data to identify the future network and overall architecture of solutions. These include topics such as: access, backhaul and packet core infrastructure, the company said.

--Planning for migration management and spectrum. This will use tools that can forecast for backhaul, radio, and application/multimedia throughput.

--Architecture and program management solutions.

--Auditing and configuration to optimize the use of spectrum and equipment. This is appropriate both before and after the launch of the networks.

--Training of customers on LTE technology, engineering, and operations.

--Designing of new and legacy equipment.

--Installing, engineering, and creating multi-vendor platforms and network integration.

--Planning for large venues, such as stadiums, hospitals, stations, and airports.

--Meeting security issues.

--Ensuring proper maintenance and repair support.

--Investigating managed services options for LTE and legacy networks.