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To: Michael who wrote (37444)	7/31/1999 7:51:00 PM
From: T L Comiskey	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 152472

Michael.......re: the Barrons story....could not access the site....is this a current article.?...no date was given.....Thx....tim

To: Michael who wrote (37444)	7/31/1999 8:23:00 PM
From: Ruffian	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 152472

Check This Story Out> <gg> From the August 2, 1999, issue of Wireless Week Guest Opinion: Going Global With GSM/TDMA By Keith Radousky The recent announcement by the Operators Harmonization Group of common ground among the various wideband code division multiple access modes for third-generation networks is an encouraging step. It follows the interoperability lead established by the global system for mobile communications and time division multiple access camps. Collaboration between GSM and TDMA supporters is focused on true convergence for today's networks and handsets as well as the 3G wireless systems of the future. In February, the GSM Alliance and the Universal Wireless Communications Consortium agreed to create interoperability between the two time division-based standards, which will provide their more than 280 million customers access to virtually 100 percent of all coverage areas around the world. Activities are under way to foster GSM/TDMA interoperability for both voice and data, among them: • The GSM ANSI-136 Interoperability Team, composed of major TDMA and GSM operators and vendors, has a two-pronged effort to connect the standards, with solutions slated for market in the second half of 2000. First, GAIT is working with handset manufacturers to develop GSM/TDMA/advanced mobile phone service multi-mode, multi-band handsets. Second, GAIT is developing standards required to connect GSM and TDMA/AMPS networks to allow global roaming and service feature transparency. Central to this effort is the creation of conversion protocols that link the ANSI-41 (TDMA/ AMPS) and MAP (GSM) protocols. • EDGE and EDGE Compact 384 kilobit-per-second high-speed data offers GSM and TDMA a common solution for 3G data services. These technologies have a common core packet network, providing graceful transition to 3G for GSM or TDMA. EDGE Compact is a more spectrally efficient deployment technique for EDGE in that it can support half the capacity of EDGE in only one-third (800 kilohertz compared to 2.4 megahertz) the spectrum. This is particularly beneficial for operators that have spectrum limitations but want to cost-effectively add 3G data capabilities. In the near future, GSM and TDMA also likely will be able to carry voice over EDGE, providing another interoperable voice offering. GSM and TDMA are more alike than they are different. In essence, the standards are both based on TDMA--a common foundation that makes convergence and inter-standard calling feasible. There are many benefits of an interoperable GSM/TDMA 3G network, including: • A global footprint unmatched by any other standard or combination of standards. • A fully integrated feature set of services across the two technologies. • A cost-effective way to meet the requirements of both customers and operators. Wireless users will be unencumbered by borders, no longer worrying whether their phone will work when they travel domestically or abroad. Interoperability also will create great economies of scale with common GSM/TDMA network and handset products, predictably leading to price reductions from suppliers. Dual-technology carriers will be able to optimize operations and leverage existing investments. GSM/TDMA interoperability will revolutionize wireless services and create a global network that reaches even the most distant points of the world. It represents not a loose compromise between disparate technologies, but a true convergence of two very similar and established standards. We have seen the foundation and future of 3G. It is time division. Keith Radousky is director of engineering for BellSouth Cellular Corp. in Atlanta.