GSM1X and the MSM6300
Jim,
<< I would imagine that was not the primary reason Qualcomm developed GSM1X as it is my understanding that precursor to GSM1X (the CDMA GSM overlay) was conceived before 1999. In fact, a Qualcomm press release in February 1998 described the results (and the reasons for the CDMA GSM overlay) >>
Perhaps I should have said the primary driver for Qualcomm attempting to RESURRECT DW-40 aka (back then) GSM-CDMA and attempting to further develop it with the help of others (since they have long since divested their infrastructure business), and commercialize it as GSM-1X, even though there was no interest shown in 3GPP2 last year to mature IS-833, was to plug the gap that has widened each and every year since 1999 between GSM market share and CDMA market share.
The Qualcomm press release more or less accurately describes the results of the "GSM-CDMA" trial which was coordinated by a UK 3rd party (The Technology Partnership) and which took place on the Newbury, UK campus in September and October 1997, at least from Qualcomm's point of view, but Im not so sure it describes the reasons completely or accurately from Vodafone's point of view, and it sure didn't demonstrate "seamless roaming and network services" as pointed out in the press release fluff.
As for your included comments, what was then referred to as "GSM-CDMA" most certainly did not provide a "NEAR-TERM, spectrally efficient evolution to next generation services." It also did not demonstrate significant economic benefits over other TDMA-based GSM solutions for increasing network capacity.
The "Newbury GSM-CDMA Trial Report" published jointly by Vodafone and Qualcomm early in 1998 and once publicly available on the 3GPP2 web site specifically states:
The trial did not set out to test the capacity of the IS-95 air-interface, or to attempt a direct comparison of IS-95 and GSM technologies on the air-interface.
The specific and mutually agreed objectives of the trial in so far as Vodafone acting partially on behalf of ETSI and 3GIG (3GPP was not yet formed), and partially on behalf of European carriers (including France Telecom) interested in the commercialization of Globalstar, was concerned, were:
· Demonstration of and gaining experience in CDMA wireless access on a GSM
network.
· Assess the ability of the GSM network to support an alternative air-interface for 3rd generation.
· Testing of Globalstar key concepts; particularly use of the A-interface, GSM SIM and GSM authentication.
Conclusions reached in the trial as stated in the report were:
This research trial has achieved the agreed objectives that were set at the start of the project, namely:
· It has demonstrated and provided experience using a CDMA wireless access on a
GSM network. A CDMA BSS has been integrated at a standard A-interface, and experience was gained on the flexibility of the interface for third generation.
· Test Globalstar key concepts. The Globalstar system design relies on integration at the A-interface, use of the GSM SIM and of GSM style authentication, all concepts being demonstrated by the trial.
Although the scope of the trial did not include further third-generation topics, such as intersystem handover, both companies believe this has been a successful collaboration with valuable lessons for third generation implementation.
One specific real live commercial product did of course result from the trial and that was the GSM Globalstar handset.
<< being a significant Qualcomm investor, I again wonder why you disparage the company with the cute reference to DW-40, rather than the proper name. >>
Here we are 5½ years later. DW-40 is alive and well. We shan't call it vapourware. It's still demoware and it makes good slideware. We can't yet call it trialware, and it sure isn't realware. We have lined up at least one guinea pig for the first phase of a trial. Perhaps there are even other qualified prospects or at least a suspect or two. Perhaps the market for it is larger than I envision ...
<< 2. Regarding the MSM6300 ... it has also been stated on several occasions that Vodafone is “extremely excited about these chipsets”. >>
They should be. When those chipsets are commercially available and make their way into handsets, their subscribers from some 28 GSM networks will not have to roam on T-Mobile USA and AWS when they visit the USA.
I'm excited and that is why I was disappointed when the MSM6300 sampled late, and aggravated when Qualcomm rubbed salt in my wounds and tried to tell me it sampled on time. I can give up my sub to T-Mobile USA and have a single handset capable of functioning on Verizon here, and Vodafone and other networks in 170+ countries there and everywhere.
China Unicom will be excited. They worked with CDG, an American handset manufacturer and a French SIM subscriber to develop a CDMA specification way back in 1997 that sat on the shelf for years.
<< China with approximately 200 million GSM subscribers by itself would not be an insignificant market for the MSM6300 >>
The majority of those subs are on China Mobile. They have no use whatsoever for an MSM6300 unless they are visitors to Korea or Japan.
BTW: Verizon finally is offering US subscribers the capability of renting or purchasing a GSM handset with a Verizon SIM )through a 3rd party) for travel abroad, although I haven't checked out the detail yet, and am not sure whether "SIM only" can be issued and provisioned for an unlocked handset of my choice:
internationaltraveler.verizonwireless.com
Best,
- Eric - |
