Interesting summary of 3G proposals, progress and players. Incidentally, can someone enlighten me as to the meaning of UMTS in the context of 3G nomenclature? TIA.
Hanging Ten on the 3G Wave
RELATED SYMBOLS: (QCOM)(NOK)(NT)(NTDMY)(LU)(ERICY)(IMIT)
New York, May 08, 2000 (123Jump via COMTEX) -- It seems to be increasingly important to support the wireless transport of user data. The urgency of this need is being questioned by some, although growth in applications like wireless
email is expected. What about other applications? If customers show interest in the core network services provided by 2G+ systems, operators may invest in 3G
infrastructure to deliver these services more effectively. The core network services for first phase 3G will be essentially the same as those offered at the
2G+ stage. Additional services that can really only be delivered over a true 3G network will be added in the second phase of 3G development.
It is expected that the enhanced capability of 3G networks will offer an environment conducive to the development and delivery of new services. This in turn will enhance the customer appeal of 3G. Nobody is really sure what these
services will be, but a common sentiment is "Who anticipated the success of Internet?"
The requirements for 3G systems set forth by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) respond to these needs, both expected and perceived.
The ITU is an international standards body which is part of the United Nations. IMT-2000 is the ITU's vision of global wireless access in the 21st century. It is aimed at being a voluntary international standard capable of offering a full
range of mobile services that compete with wireline services. The main data rates are: 1) up to 144 kbits/second, mobile, also referred to as vehicular,
data rate; 2) up to 384 kbits/second, portable, often designated as pedestrian data rate; and 3) up to 2 Mbits/second, fixed data rate.
The ITU has put out a schedule to meet the goal of having a commercial system standard. Currently, evaluation, consensus building, and system specifications are occurring. These activities are happening at varying levels within and between the standardization bodies. The primary organizations for the consensus building and system specifications are the 3G partnership projects, the
abbreviations for which are 3GPP and 3GPP2.
While the wireless industry and international standards bodies have worn themselves thin dueling over third-generation air interface standards, equipment
vendors have made sure 3G network, including radio access and handset technologies, will be available when wireless carriers are ready to deploy them.
Ericsson Trialing W-CDMA
Among its air-interface efforts, Ericsson (ERICY) has trialed its wideband code division multiple access technology with Telia in Sweden and with NTT DoCoMo
(NTT) in Japan. Ericsson will provide equipment for the latter company's commercial system, which is expected to launch in 2001. More Ericsson wideband CDMA trials will come with operators in Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. The company will demonstrate general packet radio service on global system for mobile communications networks around the world this year, including in the U.S. with Omnipoint Communications Services. Ericsson is also developing cdma2000 technologies with its new acquisition of Qualcomm Inc (QCOM).
Qualcomm Launches CDMA Offerings
Code division multiple access originator Qualcomm has introduced its CSM5000 cell station modem for CDMA infrastructure and test equipment products, along
with the mobile station modem MSM 5000 - a digital base-band solution for application in handsets that will support packet data as well as provide an Internet protocol suite, voice recognition and other features. Both products
support equipment based on Interim Standard-95 technology, while allowing incremental upgrades to cdma2000, and both will begin field trials by midyear for phase one cdma2000. The CSM3100 and MSM3100 chips incorporate a universal
serial bus that enables communication with various devices, and global positioning system capabilities.
Motorola Focuses on Internet Products
Working in all second- and third-generation technology standards, Motorola (MOT)is developing a range of devices, starting with one that will provide good voice
communications in the 3G-band. It is also developing smart phone products of various capability levels.
Its network solutions sector, in conjuction with Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO), is developing an open Internet-based framework that will work across all wireless standards. It also is working with Alcatel (ALA) to jointly develop universal mobile telecommunications services products for European carriers.
Motorola's cdmaOne technologies can upgrade to IS-95B and IS-95C. It is conducting trials of IS-95B and cdma2000 3X technologies with DDI in Japan, which is expected to launch its IS-95B system at year-end. The company is also
working with the Japanese carrier to develop customer applications that will run on this network. It also is working with Sprint PCS (PCS) in the United States
to trial cdma2000 and W-CDMA technologies.
Lucent Debuts New Platform
There is another contender on the battle field. Lucent Technologies Inc. (LU)also is providing W-CDMA equipment to NTT DoCoMo. It is conducting cdma2000 trials with DDI/IDO in Japan, Sprint PCS and Bell Atlantic Mobile (BEL) in the
U.S., and UMTS trials with Vodafone (VOD) in the United Kingdom.
Last spring, Lucent's Microelectronics Group introduced its Sceptre 3 hardware and software systems-level platform intended primarily for handsets that run on GPRS, UMTS and W-CDMA phones. The platform is based on Lucent's DSP16000-based core that allows manufacturers the flexibility of customizing features for basic handsets as well as highly featured multimedia devices.
Lucent's base station electronics include the dual-core digital signal processor, the DSP16410. The DSP allows development of multi-function applications for base station controllers and base station transceiver stations, enabling 2G systems to evolve to 3G.
Nortel Demos Mobile Video Technique
Nortel Networks (NT) is focusing on radio access and network technologies. Among its radio-access technology developments, the company has recently demonstrated W-CDMA mobile video and Web browsing laboratory conditions in France. With Panasonic, Nortel is also conducting trials of UMTS equipment and terminals with British Telecommunications Plc. (BTY) in London.
Nortel's near-term focus is on cdma2000 1XRTT and EDGE, both of which it plans to launch during the next 3-6 months. It plans to deliver GPRS systems, which it
is now testing under laboratory conditions, during 2000 for both TDMA and GSM networks. Australia's Cable & Wireless Optus has announced it will deploy Nortel GPRS equipment in 2000.
Nokia Tests Video Calls
Nokia (NOK) is developing terminals for all 3G standards. The company has announced it will supply products to NTT DoCoMo, and it has already completed a number of test video calls at 384 kilobits per second. Nokia also is working
with Korean operator SK Telecom to develop W-CDMA capabilities. The scope of the agreement includes development of a high-capacity W-CDMA radio access network
optimization technology and radio network planning and measurement tools.
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