ITU Weasel Words: When 3G is also 4G ...
"Following a detailed evaluation against stringent technical and operational criteria, ITU has determined that “LTE-Advanced” and “WirelessMAN-Advanced” should be accorded the official designation of IMT-Advanced. As the most advanced technologies currently defined for global wireless mobile broadband communications, IMT-Advanced is considered as “4G”, although it is recognized that this term, while undefined, may also be applied to the forerunners of these technologies, LTE and WiMax, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed. The detailed specifications of the IMT-Advanced technologies will be provided in a new ITU-R Recommendation expected in early 2012."
In the interim 3GAmericas is now 4GAmericas ...
4gamericas.org
>> ITU World Radiocommunication Seminar Highlights Future Communication Technologies
Focus on international regulations for spectrum management and satellite orbits
International Telecommunication Union
Press Relrase
Geneva, Switzerland
6 December 2010 -
itu.int
The ITU World Radiocommunication Seminar 2010 (WRS-10) opened in Geneva today to discuss international regulations on the use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. Discussions during the week will focus as well on some key technological issues, such as future standards for mobile phones.
WRS-10 will also provide participants with essential technical and regulatory background information to assist them to prepare for the upcoming ITU World Radiocommunication Conference to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, 23 January-17 February 2012.
ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré said, “The Seminar will hold important deliberations on international regulations that will shape the future of radiocommunications. WRS-10 marks a significant step on the road to holding the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference.”
Speaking at the opening of WRS-10, ITU Deputy Secretary-General Houlin Zhao paid tribute to outgoing Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau, Mr Valery Timofeev who has come to the end of two four-year terms in office. He also welcomed Mr François Rancy of France, who will assume office next January, following his election at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Guadalajara, Mexico in October. Mr Timofeev, presiding over his last event as Director, expressed his pleasure at the level of interest in WRS-10, particularly with the participation of several key spectrum management companies. “This is a demonstration of the vitality and strength of the industry that is so important to all of us,” Mr Timofeev said.
Five companies in the radiocommunication sector will showcase their products in an exhibition during the seminar: LS telcom AG, Rohde & Schwarz GmbH, THALES Communications, Transfinite, and Wavefront.
During the coming week, WRS-10 will also focus on progress made in ITU-R Study Groups and provide the latest information on topical issues related to radio standardization and spectrum management.
A highlight of these activities has been the recent decision of the ITU regarding the platform for the next generations of mobile broadband telecommunications, known as IMT-Advanced.
Following a detailed evaluation against stringent technical and operational criteria, ITU has determined that “LTE-Advanced” and “WirelessMAN-Advanced” should be accorded the official designation of IMT-Advanced. As the most advanced technologies currently defined for global wireless mobile broadband communications, IMT-Advanced is considered as “4G”, although it is recognized that this term, while undefined, may also be applied to the forerunners of these technologies, LTE and WiMax, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed. The detailed specifications of the IMT-Advanced technologies will be provided in a new ITU-R Recommendation expected in early 2012.
WRS-10 will also focus on developments in 3D TV, digital broadcasting, aeronautical and maritime services, and the coordination of satellite networks. Workshops will be conducted in parallel on space and terrestrial services.
At the opening of WRS-10 today, Mr Timofeev announced the launch of the Radiocommunication Collection in ITU’s History Portal, which has been developed by ITU’s Library and Archives Division. He said, “This important tool will give us an insight on the historical data related to the radiocommunication conferences and related fields.” The Radiocommunication Collection provides free access to many of the publications and documents that have been produced as the result of various ITU Radiocommunication Conferences including the most recent World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC), World Administrative Radio Conferences (WARC) and many of the early International Radiotelegraph Conferences. ###
>> ITU Redefines 4G. Again.
Sara Yin
PCMagazine
12.20.2010
pcmag.com
So you thought you knew what 4G was, or at least knew that you didn't know, but now it's time to flip the switch once again.
Over the weekend the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) loosened its definition of 4G to include LTE, WiMax, and HSPA+.
"As the most advanced technologies currently defined for global wireless mobile broadband communications, IMT-Advanced is considered as '4G,' although it is recognized that this term, while undefined, may also be applied to the forerunners of these technologies, LTE and WiMax, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed," the ITU said a statement.
In other words, all that public bickering over which carrier really has 4G (previous answer: zero) was all for naught. Based on the new guideline, commercially deployed LTE (Verizon), WiMax (Sprint) and HSPA+ (T-Mobile) can all call themselves "4G."
The ITU stands by its official definition of 4G speeds, LTE Release 10 and WiMAX 2, which are being tested and not expected to deploy commercially until 2012. But it's likely that the UN subsidiary just grew weary of re-educating consumers with its stringent definition.
"When the world's mobile carriers decided to ignore the ITU's definition of 4G, it really put the organization in a bind," PCMag's lead mobile analyst Sascha Segan said. "To remain relevant, the ITU had to find some way to fall in line with the language that much of the global cell phone industry is insisting on using."
4G Americas supports the ITU's technical definition of 4G, but sees the rationale of relaxing the category for the sake of consumers.
"4G has taken on a meaning for mobile broadband consumers over the past few years—new, fast and offering richer content and more advanced services. This was largely driven by marketing rather than a technical or standards-based definition of 4G," said a spokeswoman for 4G Americas.
The 4G Americas spokeswoman also believes LTE will become the leading 4G technology standard. On the other hand, Ovum recently said HSPA/HSPA+ will dominate for at least five more years.
A T-Mobile spokesman said the carrier was "pleased" the ITU decided to clarify its definition to include "evolved 3G technologies," which is how the carrier had been defining its super-fast network.
In 2008, Sprint Clearwire was the first to ignore the ITU's definition and marketed its WiMAX network as 4G. Two years later, Verizon and MetroPCS followed suit by calling its LTE system "4G" and, more controversially, T-Mobile advertised its HSPA+ network as 4G as well.
Whatever you call it, from a consumer's perspective, perhaps it just boils down to this [ersatz] 4G speed comparison chart ...
- Eric - |
