Spectral capacity/T cash shortage: engineer, your interesting post would make it seem that the Nortel representative was more or less on the mark when he doubted that carriers would quickly move to HDR, because they don't have the 1.25Mhz of spectrum to spare for data only, at least not before 1xrtt is deployed. Does this mean, in
your view, that Q has to roll out the MSM4500s before Sprint and BAM will support HDR?
I dont know about BAM but PCS should have more than enough spectrum....some comments from a couple of analysts.
Lehman...
Aside from data, PCS is on-track to have 21,000 cell sites by 2002 (including affiliates). They reportedly have ample spectrum capacity (30 MHz in most
cities).
All three technologies (CDMA, GSM, TDMA) are expected to roll out 3G in 2003, however, the company believes that CDMA technology should incur less transition capex to get there. Factoring in the upgrade to CDMA 1xRTT (2.5G), the Enhanced Rate Vocoder and the use of Smart antennas, Sprint PCS expects to get around an eightfold increase in capacity per CDMA carrier from current IS-95 A/B technology.
SSB
From a capacity standpoint, Sprint PCS has only used about 5 MHz of its 25-30 MHz nationwide (in other words, only 20% of its bandwidth) to service its 4mm customers and therefore has substantial capacity (80% left) to accommodate the expected ramp in mobile data traffic.
Of course all this means is that they SHOULD implement HDR....who knows if they actually will.
One obersvation.....NTT Docomo currently has the most succesful data network (i-mode). I think that much of their success rests on the number of applications that have been developed. It seems like WAP has had the same type of support. Hopefully we will start to see PCS start taking advantage of their bandwidth and start working with more applications providers. Anyone heard of any WAP development with CDMA?
Anyone else notice that PCS's wireless web offerings have gotten a lot better in the last couple of weeks? I havent had any problems accessing it and havent had any dropped calls/busy signals either.....all just one person's observations from Chicago.
Slacker |
