20060509 VSWG Conference Call Minutes
From CDGWiki
Call Date/Time: Tuesday, 9 May - 1300 UTC, 0600 PDT
Contents |
[edit] Agenda
- Coverage exchange discussion - Travis Lathrop, Sprint Nextel
As a team, we will focus on what the carriers want to exchange between one another and later focus on how to exchange it. Please review the list below and come prepared to discuss and provide your company opinion about exchanging each line item. Additions, deletions, changes are welcome.
- What will the data look like?
- GIS format
- G-1 - Data will comprise smooth contours not RF vector data
- G-2 - Data will have no angles greater than 135 degrees
- G-3 - Data will contain no cutbacks or bow ties
- G-4 - Attribute data will identify broadcast SID for each polygon
- G-5 - One data layer will be provided for each technology used(one layer for 800 CDMA coverage - one layer for 1900 CDMA coverage
- G-6 - Data will be compatible with most commonly used GIS software suites(Shape files or MID/MIF files)
- G-7 - Projection of data will be latitude/longitude utilizing the coordinate system for your region (US=NAD83 - China=Hong Kong 1963 - Canada="NAD87 etc…)
- Soft Copy format
- S-1 - Map will be based on smooth contours (not RF propagation plots)
- S-2 - Coverage will be broken down at the SID level (Each SID will be a unique color on the map)
- S-3 - One map should be provided for each type of technology available (one map for 800 CDMA - one map for 1900 CDMA)
- S-4 - Map will represent actual coverage not licensed area to build
- S-5 - Map should contain at least four of the largest cities in the area
- For those that did not hear the coverage exchange presentation given at the March IRT you may click here to access the slides.
[edit] Participants
Representatives from the following companies were on the call:
- Alltel
- Bell Mobility
- QUALCOMM
- Sprint
- Verizon Wireless
- Vivo
[edit] Discussion
- GIS vs Image files
- General consensus was that GIS was preferable, although was only large carriers represented on the call. Note that 80% of current coverage exchange is via image files - requires effort at the receiving carrier to convert to a common format.
- GSM World application
- This is in use by GSM carriers. Central repository of mapping information (GSM only) they also provide a map/coverage service to many GSM carriers. They don't allow carriers to download GIS coverage files. We would want something similar, but with downloads, plus a way to accommodate needs/capabilities of small carriers without mapping teams/marketing mapping apps.
- Mapping Repository
- There are a number of mapping bureaus available, including the one that hosts the GSMWorld service, American Roamer. The problem with what we've seen so far by these entities is they don't share GIS data with the carriers who give them their coverage.
- Challenges
- Smaller carriers may not have mapping resource. Options for a small carrier include:
- Provide RF-plots to a third-party vendor for conversion into agreed CDG format.
- Provide an image file for conversion as above.
- Image file could be converted by an individual roaming partner, then shared with the rest of the small carrier's partners in CDG format.
- Operator may in fact be able to use "smoothing" functions in their existing software to generate the necessary format themselves. Perhaps this is a function they are unaware of or don't know how to use?
- Own Network
- Discussion on the possibility of each operator representing their own network in the format that they would like to see their Roaming Partners' provide, and sharing this info. It was decided that this is not necessary - it raises possible disclosure issues and we can continue to define the format without providing a real-world example.
- Signal Strength
- Is there a need to agree on a common signal strength against which coverage will be defined? Consensus is no - since the purpose of the coverage exchange exercise is to generate marketing information for customers, it's better to simply use the same level of coverage that the roaming partner uses to communicate to its own subscribers.
- Frequency of Update
- This was raised as an item to be considered as part of the final design. How often should a carrier provide their roaming partners with updated coverage?
[edit] Action Points/Next Steps
- Carriers are asked to use the overview of the Coverage Exchange Initiative to seek internal approval for the effort. We will discuss where this stands the next meeting.
- Suggest that carriers speak to their own roaming partners to encourage them to come on board with this initiative.
- See the VSWG Meetings page for information about the next meeting/conference call
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