plysent, re: GSM1x and your statement “Maybe I'm misunderstanding your point, but it seems to be that if I'm an AT&T subscriber, and I am envious of the streaming TV service that Sprint provides, am I not better off becoming a Sprint subscriber rather than buying a multimode handset and roaming onto Sprint's Vision network? “
I think so (gg). I don’t believe I was speaking of AWE as a GSM1x customer (gg), you’ll get no argument from me on that point.
It is my understanding that the GSM1x market is primarily directed at-
1. Carriers using both GSM and CDMA technologies (Unicom, etc)
1.a. Unicom
Unicom has an extensive GSM network (70M subs) that I understand currently has better coverage than the new CDMA network (20M subs) which is in the process of being expanded.
Again, GSM1x allows Unicom to continue to use their legacy network (with better coverage) and thru the replacement/ upgrade cycle with GSM1x handsets gradually provide those GSM subs with higher speed data services (BREW, internet access, etc). Where Unicom also installs GSM1x infrastructure, they significantly increase GSM network capacity to boot. Also, It is probably less costly to overlay GSM1x in the rural areas than build out CDMA in those areas.
It is my understanding that Unicom requested the Q to develop GSM1x and news articles continue to reveal that Unicom officials strongly covet GSM1x.
Initial dual mode (GSM/CDMA1x) handsets will sell at a 15% premium according to recent articles, however prices will drop over time and Unicom may offer subsidies to promote the acceptance by their GSM subs.
1.b. VOD/VZN
International roaming costs can be significantly reduced to both the companies and their customers. VOD customers in the U.S. will be able to roam on the VZN network with all the profits from such landing in VOD’s coffers rather than AWE, etc.
2. For GSM carriers who will be providing 3G WCDMA in their densely populated areas, GSM1x provides the alternative of using CDMA in the rural areas to both significantly increase network capacity and provide 3G services (govt mandated) to those customers. In the case of European carriers, the dual mode phone would be GSM/GPRS + WCDMA (+CDMA2000 w/7xxx chipset). Again, the recent VOD CC indicated that VOD is not interested in EDGE (thanks Slacker). The customers who become accustomed to WCDMA services while in the cities will also demand the equivalent services in the countryside. No doubt some will consider these dual mode customers just WCDMA subs, but with GSM1x rather than just GSM-GPRS/WCDMA the addressable market for Qualcomm has been expanded considerably and probably would be a 100% chipset market for the Q for quite sometime as well.
VOD, with its partnership with VZN, would be the primary GSM1x customer, and articles have also indicated VOD’s interest.
Hope this helps- jim |
