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Ericsson Offers Operators 3G Speeds in Existing Spectrum With
Edge Technology
BUSINESS WIRE
HANNOVER, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 1999--Ericsson
takes another breakthrough step into wireless multimedia with its Edge
technology for 3G in existing spectrum. Edge enables services like multimedia
e-mailing, web infotainment and video conferencing to be efficiently accessible
from wireless terminals. Ericsson is demonstrating its Edge technology at
CeBIT. Commercial introduction could start in less than two years.
Edge is designed for migration into existing GSM and TDMA networks,
enabling operators to offer multimedia and other IP-based services at 3G
speeds up to 384 kbps in wide area networks.
An important attraction of Edge is the smooth evolution and upgrade of
existing network hardware and software, which can be introduced into an
operator's current GSM or TDMA network in existing frequency bands.
This means GSM and TDMA operators are well positioned to capitalize on
high-speed, wireless IP-based services through a staged evolution of their
existing networks. Edge can be introduced in steps into the network, starting
with high-capacity areas such as dense city areas, airports, etc., and expanded
as market and user needs increase. The Edge standard for GSM and TDMA
(referred to as 136HS by the UWCC) is expected to be set late this year.
Ericsson is already providing, both packet switched and circuit switched, total
solutions moving toward 3G speeds over GSM and TDMA networks.
GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) technology enables users to get
speeds of up to 115 kbps. With the Edge enhanced air interface, these will
further evolve to 3G speeds.
A packet switched mobile network is also a pre-requisite for an operator to
fully utilize the Edge technology. This makes GPRS a vital step towards
packet switched mobile networks. Investments in GPRS are also leveraged
when introducing 3G capabilities by adding Edge radio access solutions.
The Internet handles mobile Web services over a GPRS enhanced network
just as a regular wired LAN does. In practice, the mobile network becomes a
subnet to the global Internet. This addition of mobility to Web services further
increases the business opportunities for operators and the value of high quality
service for users.
GPRS is the common set of standards for the packet data services in both
TDMA and GSM networks. It provides seamless end-to-end Internet
connectivity to wireless terminals and will be introduced commercially next
year. Ericsson signed the world's first GPRS contracts in early 1999.
TDMA and GSM operators will be able to deliver services with 3G speeds
within their existing frequency bands using Edge technology. In parallel,
Ericsson offers operators WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple
Access) systems. WCDMA is designed from the beginning to handle high
data rates in wide area networks and is primarily intended for the new
frequency band at 2GHz. TDMA and GSM operators may also choose to use
WCDMA in existing frequencies based on spectrum availability.
Ericsson is currently sharing its 3G knowledge with operators and other
stakeholders via experimental systems in Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK,
USA and Sweden.
These full-fledged systems are being used to experiment with delivery of new
services, leveraging Ericsson's more than 10 years of research in 3G
technologies. Experimental systems in the US and Canada have a special
focus on Edge technology for TDMA operators. Ericsson also has a
WCDMA cooperation agreement in China.
Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with
communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies
with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in
140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers - network
operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over.
Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: ericsson.se
(Copyright 1999) |
