Maybe SingTel is the one considering GSM1X?
Nice article here on GSM1X by Samsung in Phillipines and Singapore thanks to YukonWu on QRTS RB thread:
Good to see Samsung push GSM1X
Samsung launches new GSM standard
MANILA, PHILIPPINES | Friday-Saturday, June 21-22, 2002
itmatters.com.ph
SINGAPORE -- Samsung Electronics hopes to deepen its presence in telecommunications markets running GSM networks with a new standard enabling a leap-frog to 3G technology.
Called the "Harmony project," the new standard entails a CDMA overlay on existing GSM (global systems for mobile communications) infrastructure. The GSM standard is the dominant technology in Europe and Southeast Asia, while CDMA (code division multiple access) is common in the US and in other parts of Asia. South Korea uses CDMA.
Once CDMA is in place, transition to W-CDMA (wideband CDMA) which is considered an apex of 3G technology offering very high data speeds, would not require further technology migration.
"GSM operators now have the opportunity to lay over CDMA1x," said Samsung's vice-president for Overseas Business Management Group, Wireless Systems Hung Song in a briefing Tuesday afternoon at the ongoing CommunicAsia telecoms trade fair at the Singapore Expo. "GSM operators can preserve their (infrastructure)...and even their billing systems."
Infrastructure refers to both software and hardware used by the operator or carrier, including handsets, base stations and switching systems.
The GSM/CDMA standard, developed by Samsung with Qualcomm, will offer hitherto GSM users voice calls in GSM, and both voice and data applications in CDMA.
Mr. Hung added that Samsung is currently looking for operators in the European and Southeast Asian markets to acquire this system. However, he would not specify any operator in particular.
A greater part of the Asia-Pacific markets run on CDMA technology. This includes Korea, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, inter-standard messaging -- to and from GSM and CDMA -- is being tested, Mr. Hung said.
Mr. Hung also said that South Korea is currently testing a new technology, called CDMA EV-DO -- evolution data-optimized system -- which can transmit and receive data up to 2.4 megabytes per second. That is around seven times faster than the 3G service launched by NTT DoCoMo.
Samsung Electronics also unveiled Tuesday a series of new features in its line of GPRS -- general packet radio services -- mobile phones.
The GSM-based GPRS is a 2.5 wireless technology capable of multi-media communication but at lower speeds than the anticipated 3G technology. Japan's 3G service launched last October by NTT DoCoMo offers up to 384 Kbps.
Among the mobile phones launched is Samsung's SGH-S100, a Java-enabled phone, allowing services and applications to be downloaded readily from the operator's portal. The S100 is a tri-band phone (GSM900, DCS1800 and PCS1900), is capable of enhanced messaging, sports a 65,000 color LCD screen, and has a 16 polyphonic sound. Another triband phone launched was the SGH-V100, which features video-on-demand.
It has a 65,000 color LCD screen, and is capable of video and audio compression. It also has a 16 polyphonic sound. Samsung also launched the dual-band Q300, A500, T100 and T200.
For CDMA markets, Samsung launched the SCH-X590, a mobile phone with an embedded camera. Its features include a 4,096 color LCD display and 40 polymelody sound. Its multi-phonebook is capable of up to 2,400 locations.
Another phone launched for CDMA markets is the SPH-i330, a mobile Internet PDA-phone. The i330, measures 125 x 57 x 18 mm and weighs 150 g. with standard battery. Its LCD screen features a 256 color display. The i330 has a touch screen panel and is fully compatible with Palm OS applications. -- L. B. del Castillo |
