GSM is not a winning strategy going forward. Maybe you have not heard of 3G CDMA - 1X(EV) and WCDMA.
GSM & GPRS networks have to be integrated with UMTS networks over the next few years. Maybe Unicom would like to keep their options open for network planning into 3G which will include both 1X and WCDMA. 3G multi mode phones for GSM & GPRS have to be made compatible with 1X or WCDMA.
Maybe Unicom realizes the futility of GSM & GPRS in 900/1800 MHZ spectrum and WCDMA in 2100 MHZ spectrum. Why not overlay GSM1X into the 900/1800 MHZ spectrum and keep the big GSM vendors out of the domestic market by devising a unique 3G standard? Additionally, they would save alot of money by not paying unnecessary costs for new spectrum.
Unicom could halve their existing GSM infrastructure and do GSM1X at the 1800 MHZ level. Down the road, they could do WCDMA at the 800 MHZ level. Why leave all the unnecessary GSM air interface equipment which provides the least amount of capacity and data capability? You only need enough GSM coverage to maintain a defualt standard, just like analog today.
In Korea, Japan, and the US, carriers will soon have CDMA1X/CDMA1XEV DO networks with almost very little analog. Why wouldn't Unicom want a 3G/3G network in existing spectrum like Korea, Japan, and the US. I think that GSM1X/WCDMA would be a great long term solution for a company like Unicom to replace their GSM/GSM air interface for 900/1800 MHZ.
You and Tero can sit around and ridicule or deride companies like Unicom, or any company that uses CDMA for that matter. However, Unicom is not going to blow billions on new mobile spectrum when they can re-use their existing GSM spectrum for 3G upgrades.
I think it is particularly stupid to introduce high tech into new spectrum without doing anything to improve the old spectrum. It is far better for the telecom companies to enforce their 3G mandate by requiring current users to upgrade to the new standards as they replace old equipment over time.
Unicom is now in a position to leverage a dual mode 800 MHZ CDMA1X network with a GSM900 MHZ and GSM1800 MHZ system. They have only one of 2 choices for 3G. They can pay for more spectrum to build out a UMTS network. Alternatively, they can overlay the GSM900 MHZ RAN with a GSM1X RAN to offer 3G compatibility for their GSM network on a national level.
The investment in the CDMA1X network would be greatly enhanced. The investment in existing spectrum would be protected. The investment in new infrastructure would cost far less. They would have an indigenous market for GSM, GSM1X, and 1X handsets. It would be a victory for the central planning process to encourage more high tech manufacturing for Chinese companies. |
