** From Mobile Next 12.99 **
Ericsson and Telia demonstrate live roaming between GSM and 3G networks
In the first demonstration of its kind, Ericsson and Swedish operator Telia showed how live roaming can work between a commercially deployed GSM network and a 3G system. The demonstration connection is set up between Ericsson's WCDMA Evaluation System near Stockholm and Telia's commercial GSM network.
In the test link-up, the GSM user takes the SIM card from the GSM phone and places it in a WCDMA mobile terminal, which can receive calls made to the user's GSM phone number. The user can then "roam" into a 3G network, using his or her existing GSM subscriber identity and number to receive calls on a 3G mobile terminal, which is mounted in a test vehicle.
"This is a significant step in the practical evolution toward 3G mobile services," says Mikael Hal‚n, manager for product marketing at Ericsson Wideband Radio Networks. "The test demonstrates the smooth migration path developed for the evolution of second- to third-generation mobile services, and highlights the interoperability of the two types of networks."
"In the near future, third-generation services will work together with existing ones," says Lorentz Engstr”m, senior technical advisor at Telia Mobile. "This test clearly demonstrates the coexistence of GSM with 3G."
Ericsson and Telia began their formal cooperation on WCDMA 3G development and evaluation in spring 1998. The two companies inaugurated the Stockholm WCDMA Evaluation System in spring 1999 - the same time that Ericsson inaugurated its WCDMA Demo Center, where operators and others can experience 3G services in a high-bandwidth mobile environment.
Banking on the power of wireless
Customers of ™stg”ta Enskilda Bank in Sweden will soon be able to use either GSM- or WAP-enabled mobile phones to verify payments or credit card purchases made over the Internet. Built on a SET standard, the new service for secure transactions over the Internet will be based on a solution created by the bank in collaboration with Ericsson Business Consulting. The solution provides an answer to the problem of handling digital certificates in SET.
"For us at ™stg”ta Enskilda Bank, this means we can offer our customers a safe and simple way of paying for transactions over the Internet," says Sven Schelin, vice president of ™stg”ta Enskilda Bank. "The collaboration will also give us vital experience for future launches of solutions that employ WAP technology - for example, share trading. We're currently preparing an fall release of at least two innovations combining WAP and banking services."
The bank expects the service to be used by private individuals, banks and companies for business transactions. ™stg”ta Enskilda Bank is the Swedish arm of Den Danske Bank.
Related links:
™stg”ta Enskilda Bank
A global roundup of 3G news and licenses
As mobile technology continues its shift from second to third generation, countries around the world are taking their first steps in regulating a technology that is still being defined:
Japan
Japan has not yet issued 3G licenses, but it is likely to become the first country with commercial 3G mobile service. New systems are expected for 2001. Japan is unique in that the additional bandwidth provided by 3G is needed to take care of current subscribers - roughly 50 million to date.
Finland
At 60 percent, Finland has the highest mobile penetration rate in the world. This country was also the first to grant 3G licenses. Four licenses were awarded last March to those operators the government felt best meet the intent of the Finnish Telecommunications Market Act. All the operators plan to use WCDMA technology. Commercial systems are expected to launch in early 2002.
United Kingdom
The British government released 3G specifications over the past summer, and attracted controversy with its requirement that existing mobile operators allow newcomers to roam in their networks while rolling out their own. Courts ruled in favor of the U.K.'s smallest mobile operator, One 2 One, when it sued the government over this issue. The government is appealing and, despite an uncertain outcome, auctions are expected to take place later this year.
New Zealand
Plans to auction licenses were derailed earlier this year when the native Maori made a claim for a share of the bandwidth. The government has yet to decide on the case, but analysts expect New Zealand to be one of the next countries to auction licenses, possibly by the end of 1999.
China
Though prospects for 3G licenses in mainland China are not yet even on the horizon, there are auction plans for Hong Kong in 2000, with awards in early 2001 and launch of commercial systems in 2002. Interestingly, spectrum for fixed-line systems is being cleared for 3G, says Ericsson analyst Katrien Van der Spiegel.
United States
The U.S. has already allocated IMT-2000 bandwidth for Personal Communication Services (PCS) without limiting the choice of technology to be used. But, with some operators limited to very small bandwidth - 2 x 5 MHz - it's likely that adaptations will have to be made. However, U.S. demand is currently low for the wireless Internet that 3G promises. "The focus is more on fixed-line Internet," says Van der Spiegel.
Europe
Two other countries in the forefront of the race for 3G systems are Germany and the Netherlands. Both are likely to begin the licensing process in late 1999 or early 2000.
Making the leap to 3G in the U.S.
U.S. operator Leap Wireless International has announced the development of a third-generation mobile system based on the first phase of cdma2000 technology, known as 1XRTT. In a US$330 million agreement, Ericsson will supply and install the system for Leap's U.S. subsidiary, Cricket Communications. The deal includes radio base stations, CMS 11 base station controllers, switching equipment, and services such as network design, deployment and training.
Ericsson will also provide Leap with vendor financing for equipment, services and operations needed to expand its wireless network in markets across the United States.
"We are pleased to be working closely with Ericsson as it continues to develop state-of-the-art CDMA infrastructure equipment," says Harvey P. White, chairman and CEO of Leap. "We believe that our relationship with a world-renowned vendor like Ericsson will allow us to provide the highest-quality wireless service to Cricket and Leap customers."
Related links:
Leap Wireless
New WAP dual-band phone introduced
Ericsson has released its third WAP product, the R320, a high-performance dual-band mobile phone. The R320 is part of a new product portfolio that currently includes the MC218 mobile companion and the R380 smart phone.
The R320 has a WAP browser to access Internet content. WAP is a microbrowser especially developed for mobile use, and is the main worldwide industry standard for providing Internet communications and advanced services on digital mobile phones and other wireless terminals.
The R320 is a GSM 900/1800 dual-band phone with a built-in infrared modem and RS232 cable modem. Features include a WAP browser, a full graphic display for five rows of Latin text or three rows of Chinese text, voice memo, voice dialing and answering, SMS, games, vibrating call alert, calculator and alarm clock.
"As the first WAP products come out on the market, WAP services will emerge as well," says Jan Ahrenbring, vice president for marketing and communications at Ericsson Mobile Communications. "The market will grow as devices are leveraged from content, and the other way around. What we will then see is both local content - services such as ordering movie tickets or take away food - and global content, such as news and entertainment."
The Ericsson R320 will be available in commercial volumes during the first quarter of 2000. Two versions of the R320 will be produced: the R320s and the R320sc, which features a complete Chinese interface.
Upcoming and current events
The Personal Communications Showcase (PCS '99) is being held this week in New Orleans, Sept. 21-24. With more than 22,000 global industry professionals, 650 exhibiting vendors and 70 technology sessions, it's a major wireless event. Guest speakers include Dan Hesse, president and CEO of AT&T Wireless, Lawrence Babbio, Jr., president and COO of Bell Atlantic and John Beletic, chairman and CEO of PageMart Wireless.
Related links:
PCS '99
Also this month is the Global Mobile Carriers Conference, which will be held Sept. 27-29 in Amsterdam at the Grand Westin Demeure Hotel.
And don't forget to mark your calenders for Telecom '99, the biggest telecom event of this year. Held every four years in Geneva, Switzerland, this year's conference will run Oct. 10-17. Ericsson will hold a press and analyst conference on Monday, Oct. 11.
3G demo at Telecom '99
Ericsson will also be demonstrating their third-generation WCDMA applications and infrastrucure at Telecom '99 in Geneva. Visitors will experience wireless applications such as video conferencing, playing games, browsing the Internet and booking theatre tickets as well as listening to and downloading music from the web - all while being fully mobile. Visitors will also be able to see a WCDMA system housed in a container outside PalExpo with the latest in 3G technology.
Related links:
Ericsson and Telecom 99
Copyright and Editorial Information
¸ Copyright 1999 Ericsson
Mobile Next is an Ericsson publication produced in cooperation with Appelberg Publications AB, Stockholm, Sweden.
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