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To: Mika Kukkanen who wrote (8919)4/19/2000 10:14:00 AM
From: Clarksterh  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 13582
 
Mika - Was very impressed. These were also on show at T99 in Geneva, and I have sung my praises about NEC's little WCDMA handset with video attachment (attached wirelessly -Bluetooth- to boot).

You are under the misapprehension that the only hard part of W-CDMA is blowing the chipsets. No. One of the hardest parts is tuning the standard and software so that the network works under load. I strongly suspect that this can only be done in a real world trial (which, for political reasons, will probably be called a roll-out.).

As for whether an agreed upon W-CDMA standard really comes out soon, I have no insight. But there does seem to be a lot of politics, and thus I'd be very surprised if it happened anytime soon. And even if it did, I'd say it isn't worth much if it needs major tweaking before it works under load.

Clark



To: Mika Kukkanen who wrote (8919)4/19/2000 12:09:00 PM
From: Bux  Respond to of 13582
 
Mika, I suggest you've been had if you think the WCDMA handsets were fully functioning prototypes but I would be willing to reconsider if you could provide direct testimony from a reputable person who actually saw the phones provide the expected data rates in both transmit and receive modes on a multiple base station test network.

Even Maurice has a non-functioning prototype 3G handset. Let's see, I think he developed that over 5 years ago. I'm not mocking WCDMA but I do know it is in the best interests of the WCDMA proponents to create the illusion that the technology is almost ready for prime-time.

You say you expect WCDMA to roll out in a commercial network near the end of 2001. That would be impressive and even more impressive if the network met the manufacturers performance specs and wasn't some sort of interim or de-tuned solution with limited capacity. I'm looking forward to any evidence you can provide that there are fully functioning WCDMA handsets in existence.

Bux




To: Mika Kukkanen who wrote (8919)4/19/2000 12:39:00 PM
From: gdichaz  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 13582
 
Mika: Re: WCDMA or DS

Appreciate your posting here - in the lions' den as many of your Ericsson and Nokia thread confrers see it.

From your post I learned the following: (please correct if wrong)

WCDMA will have its first full scale major trial under real "commercial type" conditions before the end of 2001, i.e. over a year and a half from now.

For clarification, do you see this as a full "commercial" operation which would trigger need for Qualcomm patents, or is it a "test" in real world conditions which could take place in a relatively small geographical area (such as the Isle of Man) which could be done without Qualcomm patents under cover of being a "test"?

In other words, would this be the sort of broad scale test in a limited geographical area but with real people and conditions that Clark is suggesting is essential before repeat before any commercial roll out that is at all meaningful?

On handsets, or lack thereof for WCDMA (or DS in the new terminology), you mention your admiration for the small Japanese handsets. Does the flip side of that mean that there are no "European" small or even medium size handsets, or so far none whatsoever that could be held in anyones hand, but that the "terminals" require a truck or van to cart around a track?

Your clarification and/or comments on this would be helpful, since you know WCDMA (DS) and GSM well yourself as I understand your experience in the wireless world.

Best.

Chaz