Lakers,
<< Now tell me how a GSM phone can work on a WCDMA networks? I'm talking about a radio networks. Not the so called backbone sitting on the landside ... To say a GSM phone can work in WCDMA networks is the same to say an analogue phone can work in CDMA networks. >>
You are correct on all counts here. and my statement was (unintentionally) misleading, and actually incorrect in one regard, so let me restate.
Your "radio network" in W-CDMA is the UTRAN which is the equivlent of the Base Station Subsystem of a GSM network.
Multi-mode and multi-band W-CDMA phones will be required (and in fact in many countries, a mix is mandated) on an evolved GSM network supporting W-CDMA.
That all sounds rather simple but there are a host of interoperability issues (still) being worked out on both the network and user equipment side (ME & UIM) that make W-CDMA pretty challenging.
Im an existing GSM network (eg Europe or China), W-CDMA is an extension of the existing network, and the GSM BSS is already installed. UTRANs will layer in as islands in a sea of GSM BSCs. As W-CDMA builds out the W-CDMA user will "roam" (in his own network or another) using the GSM mode and frequency. Identical to multi-mode, multi-band, CDMA in the US at Verizon. Same build out pattern. A little different than Sprint PCS, which had no AMPS legacy, and only roams with affiliates for fill in.
I (totally) incorrectly stated "the Japanese and Korean ones won't, so voice only".
Roaming in Japan or Korea (with no GSM buildout - WCDMA buildout only) will require removal of the roamers GSM SIM or UIM from his native handset and placement into a (rental or pooled) W-CDMA handset. There is a frequency mismatch as well as a mode mismatch.
BTW: One of the best high level (for us "dummies") overviews of a 3GSM/"W-CDMA" network I've found is here:
unet.univie.ac.at
It contains (relative to our spectrum exchange a few days ago) a very good graphic of the original IMT-2000 spectrum as it has been set aside by Europe, Japan, Korea, and China (not shown on many charts, including QUALCOMMs) and not set aside by the US. It breaks down the US PCS bands, and it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out why narrowband CDMA has a major advantage over other technologies in the US (actually all the Americas).
Maurice has commented on the recent selling prices of NYC spectrum. It is important to realize that what wee auctioned is little tiny chunks of spectrum.
By comparison, IMT-2000 spectrum is being auctioned (or licensed) outside the Americas in big "wideband" contiguous chunks. If we ever "uncap" spectrum in the US ... prices would be out of sight.
- Eric - |
