 and products roadmaps and the corporate strategic plan, as well as the continuation of roadmapping on a regular basis [28,29]. Next Generation Mobile Communications Ecosystem Device Transport Roadmap Roadmap Biz Needs Standards Chipsets Radio Networks Operators SDOs Vision Roadmap Roadmap (commerci- Roadmap alization) Test tools Roadmap Roadmap Figure 12.9 Mobile networks roadmap alignment 12.9.2 Mobile Communications Roadmap Process Figure 12.9 shows a typical roadmap process from inception to commercialization for 3G Mobile Net- works (3G-LTE, WiMAX, EV-DO, etc.). The technology roadmapping process starts from envisioning market and business needs, and SDOs (standard development organizations) foresights and in particular from ITUs vision. The next step leads into developing standards by one or many SDOs; for for example, 3G-LTE specifications were completed by 3GPP in early 2008. It normally takes two to two-and-a-half years from standardization to the commercialization of a technology. A few 3G-LTE networks will start to emerge in 2010. Following standardization, the chipset developers like Qualcomm that only design and sell chips and Samsung that not only design chips but also manufactures them, developed their roadmaps. The roadmap of chipset vendors needs to be aligned with device manufacturers (Nokia, Sony Ericsson, etc.), radio infrastructure vendors (Ericsson, Huawei, etc.) and test tools vendors (Agilent, Spirent, etc.). The 3G and 4G systems cannot be developed without these chipsets and all these three types of manufacturers have to modify their roadmaps accordingly if there is any change in chipsets manufacturers' roadmaps. The device, radio and measurement tool roadmaps also need to be linked with each other. If 3G-LTE devices are not available then these cannot be tested and radio performance cannot be measured. The transport, core networks and OSS components have to be upgraded in order to align their capabilities with respect to device and radio requirements. This finally leads into the commerc