Comparison of WiBro and TD-LTE through the social network analysis

Drawing on the social network analysis, this paper visualized the networks of WiBro and TD-LTE deployment in the global market. It also compared the two standards' networks and found three differences: first, widespread deployment of WiBro in the global market; second, critical role of China in the TD-LTE network; and third, active participation of the world's top telecoms gear vendors in the TD-LTE deployment. The authors concluded that these differences can be attributed to the failure of WiBro and success of TD-LTE, and drew some implications for a standard policy design. Firms, if trying to successfully deploy a new technology standard in the global telecoms market, should consider partnerships with players which have massive purchasing power, such as China Mobile. For a government, it may issue a license for the commercialization of a new standard to telecom service providers which are least likely to be affected by a possible cannibalization effect on the operators' existing standard-based sales.