In 1989, NEC delivered a DRMASS (Digital Radio Multiple Access Subscriber System) to Egypt. It was NEC’s first experience in developing a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) system (the term ”WLL” was not in use at that time). Since then, NEC has developed radio access technologies and related installation knowhow for WLL systems. NEC now has a WLL product line, the ONEWLOOP’ series.

WLL technology is applicable to most areas that have traditionally been covered by wired access technologies. Moreover, some applications for WLL systems, especially PHS and cordless technologies, will be applied to a new market segment, as shown by Segment 2A in Fig. 1. In some cases, it will also be applied to personal communication service areas, as shown in Segment 2B, which partially overlaps with ordinary PHS for public wide area mobility functions.

Segment 2A in the figure shows a new telecom market created based on WLL technologies under the worldwide trend of telecom liberalization. For newly established WLL operators, the system may be different from those required for Segment 1, as for fixed network operators. Regarding telecom operators with no existing subscribers, they may require a WLL network system that is different from systems for existing fixed services. Such WLL services will include the moderate mobility feature shown in Fig. 1, utilizing the advantage of wireless access.
Segment 2B in Fig. 1 is also a new market assuming that a telecom operator invests not only in the access portion of his network but in all network elements including switches, service control systems (AIN), and network management system. In this case, it will be more important for the telecom operator to reduce the total cost of the network solution.

Taking into consideration the market segmentation of the PHS-based WLL system, NEC has developed a PHS-based WLL product series called the OWL2000.’ As shown in Fig. 2. the WL2000 series consists of the DCTS, NEAXSTAR, and NEAX61E PHS-based WLL, and they correspond to Segments 1, 2A and 2B, respectively. The DCTS and NEAXSTAR systems are applied as access systems that can be added to an existing switch with a standard interface. The NEAX61E PHS-based WLL system is an expanded version of the NEAXSTAR system. It includes the NEAX61E digital switching system and is applicable for total WLL network solutions.

This article was kindly contributed by NEC Corporation