EDGE in Europe??
This is a long Post. Please scroll past if you have no interest in EDGE as a partial substitution threat to WCDMA deployment (which of course delays royalty revenue flow to Qualcomm).
I have clipped below several articles on EDGE published over the last 6 months in reverse chronology. Some have been posted here before. Many of them are by Unstrung's European Editor, Ray Le Maistre, who has followed EDGE closer than most, but who as of yet has been unable to form a conclusion about the degree to which GSM EDGE, which is intended to be implemented in existing 900 MHz/1800 MHz spectrum (In-Band 3G) will be used to complement 3GSM WCDMA buildouts in Europe.
>> Vendors Sharpen EDGE
Ray Le Maistre
Unstrung
03.21.03
O2 Ireland is the latest European operator considering a deployment of EDGE (enhanced data for GSM evolution/environment), as the hype machine for the technology goes into overdrive (see "EDGE Gets Extra HYPE" below).
The service provider, along with every other GSM operator, is examining the potential of EDGE, which represents the next step up from GPRS (general packet radio service) and has the potential to increase data throughput to a theoretical 384 kbit/s, or up to 100 kbit/s in the real world.
"We are looking at the potential of EDGE, but it's no more than that," says O2 Ireland corporate affairs manager Johanna Cassells. "We have been looking at a number of data services, and have launched GPRS services and some wireless LAN hotspots, so we're looking at other high-speed wireless data technologies." The hotspots are currently offering trial services (see "mmO2 Gears Up For WLAN" below).
O2 Ireland has a 3G license, and Cassells says the operator would view EDGE services very much as complementary to, and not instead of, 3G services.
This is the view of many operators that have commented on the potential of EDGE deployments in Europe. Most of the GSM base stations shipped and deployed in the past few years can be easily and cheaply upgraded to offer EDGE services. The main pain for operators considering the technology would be in finding handsets or PC cards for the service, and then selling them. There are no EDGE handsets or cards available for the European market yet, though Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) says it will have devices ready for the frequencies used by GSM networks in Europe (900 MHz and 1800 MHz) this year.
The market for EDGE is more defined in the Americas, where GSM networks use 850MHz and 1900MHz spectrum (see Finns EDGE In, Nokia EDGEs Into Arizona, and Nokia Launches EDGE Device). The potential for vendors and carriers to make money from the upgrade in Europe is less clear.
IDC analyst Paolo Pescatore (or Paul the Fisherman, as he's known in the U.K.) says a lot depends on data usage patterns. "I have a sneaky suspicion we'll see EDGE used in Europe, though the timing will depend on the data demands put on the existing GPRS networks," he says, adding that applications such as cameraphones, online gaming, and business useage could drive adoption.
Once 3G networks are live, Pescatore believes EDGE could be used to offer data coverage in rural areas, with 3G base station build-outs restricted to urban and suburban areas.
Meanwhile, the EDGE story is being pushed hard by vendor groups, such as the Global Mobile Suppliers Association and by the vendors themselves. "For the vendors it's a chance to make more money from the existing networks and sell more handsets," says Pescatore, who notes that Nokia has been pushing the technology most vigorously (see Euro Edge Creeps Closer ). <<
>> O2 Ireland Asks Regulator for Permission to Use EDGE
Global Wireless
Dublin, Ireland
March 19, 2003
O2 Ireland is in negotiations with the telecommunications regulator over its revised plans for third-generation (3G) services. Almost exactly a year after it staged Ireland's first live 3G demonstration, the company has proposed a mixture of 3G in urban areas and Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) technology everywhere else.
EDGE has been described as a solution to delays in the availability of 3G equipment. However, it is also a much cheaper option. O2 Ireland is one of the first European operators to publicly announce it is considering EDGE technology.
It is not clear at this point exactly how the proposals will be received by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg). The commission has always maintained that rollout targets must be met, and there are penalties for failing to meet commitments laid out in the licenses.
In February, O2 unveiled its first series of wireless local area network (WLAN) hot spots, marketed as a high-speed alternative to dial-up Internet access. The company said it plans to install similar WLAN networks in airports, train stations and apartment complexes. <<
>> EDGE Gets Extra HYPE
CTIA Wireless 2003
New Orleans
Unstrung
03.19.03
GSM operators and vendors at the EDGE Operators' Forum (EOF) in New Orleans on March 17 provided timely advice regarding the progress of EDGE and its current commercialization to an important audience of rural, regional, and international operators representing the Americas, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.
Key Points Presented:
1) Deployment: EDGE is here and ready for the market. EDGE will be deployed by fourteen operators representing over 84 million subscribers in nine countries throughout the Americas, with the first commercial launches beginning the 2nd half of 2003. A growing number of operators in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe have been actively evaluating EDGE as a complementary deployment with UMTS. One vendor reports over fifteen trials currently underway.
2) Market Readiness: GSM operators are already seeing the uptake of messaging, a good precursor to high-speed wireless data services. Worldwide, there were an estimated 430 billion mobile messages sent in 2002 with GSM operators accounting for the largest market share.
3) Spectral Efficiency: EDGE is the most spectrally efficient 3G radio access technology up to 100 Kbps while UMTS offers the best spectral efficiency for data rates higher than 100 Kbps, thus provide a fully complementary network plan. EDGE may be deployed within an operator's existing spectrum and does not require a new 3G license.
4) Terminals: All EDGE devices will support GSM/GPRS and work on multiple spectrum bands including variations of 800/900/1800/1900 MHz. The cost of including EDGE capabilities within a device is considered negligible and industry consensus is that EDGE will be a standard feature in all new GPRS terminals from the end of 2003. Multiple vendors have already made commercial announcements regarding devices and PC-cards.
5) Infrastructure: There are hundreds of thousands of EDGE-capable GSM base stations being deployed today, that require relatively simple software and hardware upgrades and thereby provide the lowest total lifetime cost of network ownership for operators. Vendors providing infrastructure include Alcatel, Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, Nortel Networks, and Siemens.
6) Cost to Upgrade: Practical experience shows that the cost to upgrade to EDGE from GSM/GPRS is about $1-$2 per POP, in addition delivering three times the data capacity.
7) Global Availability: EDGE will be globally available for operators by 2H 2003 in all primary spectrum bands with commitments in place by terminal and infrastructure vendors.
Chris Pearson, Executive Vice President of 3G Americas, remarked to press and analysts at an EDGE Operators' Forum briefing during CTIA, "Today, we are showcasing the outstanding progress of EDGE: from AT&T Wireless becoming the first operator to announce deployment of EDGE in 2000, followed by Rogers, Cingular, T-Mobile, Telcel, and another nine operators in the Americas to date; AT&T Wireless completing the first EDGE call with multiple vendors in 2001; the massive amounts of infrastructure shipped by multiple vendors since 2002; operators nearing completion of their EDGE network upgrades; the announcements of commercial EDGE devices by multiple vendors; to the commercial deployments of EDGE expected in the second half of 2003."
Alan Hadden, President of the GSA, commented, "We have indicated that EDGE is not just an Americas' technology and confirm that EDGE is being deployed on a global basis in all major continents." He continued, "Operators with commitments to EDGE represent about 100 million subscribers. They have the advantages of both the economies of scale with GSM/GPRS and the interoperability of EDGE with UMTS (WCDMA) that will be assured through the standards work of the 3GPP. This translates into a world of 3G services for GSM customers." <<
>> EDGE Wireless Market Seen Emerging in 2003
Robert Keenan
Commsdesign.com
New Orleans, LA
March 19, 2003
A panel of operators and equipment manufacturers tried to answer the burning question of the CTIA Wireless 2003 conference: When will EDGE technology become a viable solution for the wireless sector. Most agreed the answer was simple — 2003.
Some operators claim that making the move to EDGE will require only an additional $1 to $2 per POP (point of presence) in cost, said Chris Pearson, executive vice president of 3G Americas, the industry association backing the Global System for Mobile (GSM) camp in the United States. In the second half of 2003, U.S. deployments of EDGE technology by AT&T, Cingular and T-Mobile are likely, according to Pearson.
AT&T Wireless and Cingular executives agreed. AT&T announced it is investing $325 million to roll out EDGE technology to 200 million POPs, said Mike Bamburak, AT&T Wireless' vice president of technology architecture and standards. "Right now 79 percent of our GSM/GPRS POPs are EDGE enabled. We'll be 100-percent capable by the end of the year," Bamburak said.
Cingular hasn't yet detailed the amount of money it is spending on an EDGE upgrade. But all GSM equipment being purchased by Cingular is EDGE-enabled, said Mark Austin, Cingular's director of radio technology and planning. "We're actively testing EDGE."
Despite constant pleas, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) still has not allocated additional spectrum for the development of UMTS-compliant W-CDMA and 3x cdma2000 services. To move data rates forward, EDGE is therefore the only option for U.S. GSM operators.
The European landscape is different. After overpaying for new 3G spectrum, European operators are under intense pressure to make W-CDMA a reality. That push raises questions about the viability of EDGE in that sector.
A panel here that included representatives of Siemens, Ericsson, Nokia and Nortel called EDGE a complementary technology for W-CDMA, serving as a cost-effective upgrade in less densely populated European markets.
W-CDMA Limited
Since W-CDMA will require a new rollout in a new spectrum band, panelists said it would take time to establish coverage across Europe. "W-CDMA will be limited to 30 to 40 percent of the coverage," said Klaus Kohrt, vice president of strategic product management at Siemens.
One reason why W-CDMA will be limited is the spectrum it uses. By operating in the 2 GHz range, W-CDMA systems will operate at shorter ranges than existing cellular systems operating in the 900 MHz band in Europe. That shorter range could require carriers to roll out three times the number of base stations now used in existing 900-MHz GSM systems. That possibility would create real cost questions in the short term, said Mika Kahkola, head of GSM/EDGE BSS marketing and sales at Nokia.
"GSM won't go away for a long time," Bamburak said. "Therefore EDGE is going to happen."
To make it happen, infrastructure and handsets must be available. Infrastructure vendors are already delivering EDGE to the market. "Hundreds of thousands of EDGE-capable base station transceiver systems have shipped between 2000 and 2002," said Alan Hadden, president of the Global Mobile Suppliers Association.
While handsets aren't as readily available, Ericsson and Nokia have both prepped products for the market. Chipsets are also coming. Analog Devices and Philips have EDGE-capable chipsets available now. Texas Instruments, Skyworks and RF Micro Devices are also working on EDGE-enabled chip offerings. <<
>> 3G Gets Closer to EDGE
Tony Hallett
silicon.com
21st February 2003
3GSM: Although 3G networks are beginning to spring up in Europe, reports indicate that some networks will take an intermediary step
With 3, Hutchison's UK greenfield mobile network, going live shortly and other operators close to UMTS 3G launches -- research company EMC estimates 40 this year -- it seems users are nearer to the fast and versatile mobile telecoms promised land they have heard so much about in recent years.
However, news out of the 3GSM show in Cannes this week confirms a number of operators will take another step before fully fledged UMTS networks -- in Europe as well as other continents.
EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) is sometimes referred to as 2.75G, sitting in the evolution path between 2.5G GSM/GPRS networks and 3G networks of the W-CDMA -- or UMTS -- flavour. So far equipment companies have been guarded about which operators will use EDGE, mainly because it is seen as an embarrassment that the leap to 3G cannot yet be taken.
This week the EDGE Operators' Forum (EOF) announced that "EDGE will be a market reality during 2003," with operators and vendors giving it "their full commitment".
Partly because of spectrum issues it is widely accepted at least three operators in the US will move to EDGE. However, Nokia admits to being involved in over 20 rollouts in 13 countries, some in its own back yard in Europe.
Jarmo Leivo, Nokia Networks director for W-CDMA marketing, said: "EDGE is a chance to enhance existing networks but EDGE is no W-CDMA."
The fear, however, is that some operators holding W-CDMA licences -- costing the legendary billions in a few cases -- may not roll out 3G widely, or maybe at all.
The other main 3G standard besides W-CDMA is CDMA2000, developed by San Diego-based Qualcomm and now used by 36 networks across three continents. Qualcomm initially had a path to a very fast data rate 3G standard but an inbetween technology commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1x, of which there are several variations, has proved so popular in Japan, South Korea and the US that it is now recognised as a workable, respectably fast 3G technology.
Jeff Belk, Qualcomm senior VP marketing, told silicon.com: "What we have learnt is that 3G cannot be faked in any fashion. If it doesn't meet the consumer bar operators won't be able to monetise it."
The EOF refers to EDGE as the "most spectrally efficient of the 3G radio access technologies up to 100Kbps". Ultimately most operators realise that users will decide if it is worthy of the 3G moniker, especially as some will have made the leap in the meantime to W-CDMA 3G. <<
>> Finns EDGE In
Ray Le Maistre
Unstrung
02.11.03
The market for EDGE-enabled base stations grew a bit today when Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) announced it was supplying América Móvil with base stations fired up and ready to provide GSM, GPRS, and EDGE services in Colombia and Ecuador.
It's a small deal but a significant one, because it demonstrates that Nokia continues to set the pace in this nascent market. The Nords already have signed six deals for EDGE-equipped base stations.
Nokia says that it does not yet know when the operator plans to activate the EDGE capabilities of these products. "We are delivering the equipment now, though we don't know when the operator plans to put it into commercial service," says Nokia Networks spokesman Thomas Jonsson. <<
>> Ray Le Maistre Posts on Unstrung's Message Board
Unstrung
2.17.02
There is interest in the industry about EDGE and just how niche it is going to be. It seems European GSM carriers are giving themselves an option, though one they may never have to resort to. Maybe they realize that, like everyone else, they have little idea about what demands mihgt be out on their networks in the coming years, and that some futureproofing might not be such a bad idea.
However, I'll be more convinced once I see some EDGe-capable handsets for 900/1800 MHz. <<
>> Euro Edge Creeps Closer
Ray Le Maistre
Unstrung
12.17.02
Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) says it has delivered "EDGE-capable" infrastructure to 25 operators in 14 countries worldwide, including nine territories in Europe.
Those countries are: the already well-documented U.S. and Brazil in the Americas; India and Thailand in Asia/Pacific; Israel in the Middle East; and Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland, Spain, and the U.K. in Europe.
Talking at a London briefing Tuesday, Kai Konola, marketing and sales director of the vendor's IP Mobility Networks division, told Unstrung that the first commercial software deliveries would be made to operators in the U.S. (operating at 800 MHz and 1900 MHz) at the beginning of 2003, and that the network software for networks operating at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, the "European" frequencies, would be "available later in the first half of the year."
He declined to name any of the European operators who had ordered the "EDGE-capable" kit during the second half of 2002, though he noted that in the U.K., O2 Ltd. (NYSE: OOM) and Orange UK (London: OGE) are existing "major customers" of Nokia's GSM network infrastructure.
EDGE (which stands for Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution or Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution) offers higher data rates, theoretically up to 384 Kbit/s, on existing spectrum than the now widely deployed GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) while using the same basic network infrastructure. "EDGE offers a noticeable difference in terms of data speeds," says Konola.
The Nokia man was unable to offer any details on handset availability, other than to reiterate its promises of EDGE handsets for the U.S. market in the first half of 2003 and for Europe in the second half of the year (see Nokia Launches EDGE Device and Nokia Promises EDGEy 2003).
Many things remain unclear about EDGE in Europe. For example: When, where specifically, and for the support of which particular services might the operators deploy the enhancements? Or have they ordered EDGE-capable infrastructure simply to give themselves the option of upgrading as, when, or even if required?
Nokia, of course, is not alone in the EDGE market. LM Ericsson (Nasdaq: ERICY) is also ready to deliver to its GSM customers as and when required, while Alcatel SA (NYSE: ALA has also stated its intention to meet carrier needs.
For handsets, Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) will play a role, as it is also developing an EDGE handset. A test call was recently made between a Nokia 6200 handset hooked up to Telecom Italia Mobile SpA's (Milan: TIM - message board) mobile network in Brazil and a Motorola EDGE handset linked to the AT&T Wireless Services Inc. (NYSE: AWE) network. <<
>> mmO2 Gears Up For WLAN
Ray Le Maistre
Unstrung
11.29.02
Pan-European operator mmO2 plc is planning to announce wireless LAN services through its wireless carrier businesses in Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and the U.K. in 2003.
O2 Ireland has already undergone some trials and is sourcing its equipment and software exclusively from Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK - message board) (see Nokia Does Irish WLAN). However, this does not mean the Finnish vendor will automatically win business from the rest of the O2 operator stable. Although mmO2 has "a central strategy to do things as efficiently as possible," says data PR manager Kate Mant, "each O2 operator will make a decision based on market conditions. Solutions will vary across the group."
Ireland is leading the way within the group, says Mant, and the other operators will "be communicating their strategies early in 2003, though that will be to explain what they are doing rather than saying they have rolled out services." When asked whether O2 U.K. would partner with its former parent British Telecommunications plc (BT) (NYSE: BTY - message board; London: BTA), which is rolling out WiFi hotspots (see BT Adds Coffee Hotspots), Mant says "nothing has been finalized, but we'll be talking about the U.K. plans some time around next February."
We were keen to find out more about O2's specific plans in Ireland, but the phones went unanswered before we published this story.
What we do know is that Nokia's "solution" includes access points, access controller, authentication servers, and end-user cards. The system, which is compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE)'s 802.11 standards, offers authentication using a mobile SIM card, and allows the operator to combine WLAN access with regular mobile services on the same subscriber account and to provide a single bill.
The Irish telecom watchdog, Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation (ODTR), cleared the public use of 802.11 and Bluetooth equipment in the 2.4GHz and 5GHZ bands in September 2001.
mmO2 follows in the footsteps of Swisscom Mobile, which is launching its service on Monday (see Swisscom Launches WLAN), and T-Mobile International AG, which has hotspot trials ongoing in Berlin and London Starbucks coffee shops.
Telecom analysts believe mobile operators are ideally positioned to offer WLAN services to their customers. In-Stat/MDR believes wireless carriers should enter the WLAN market as soon as possible (see In-Stat: Don't Miss WLAN Boat), while the Yankee Group analyst Declan Lonergan believes WiFi services are a perfect complement to mobile wide area network data services. Yankee believes there will be nearly 8 million public WLAN (PWLAN) users in western Europe in 2007 (more than 6 million of which will be business users) creating revenues of about $1.7 billion. "I believe the fixed and mobile operators will carve up most of the PWLAN market between them, but that the mobile operators have more to bring to the sector," says Lonergan.
Naturally, the equipment vendors are very keen to see the operators plan access point rollouts, and are jostling to be in the best position to win carrier contracts. Apart from Nokia, Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) is actively targeting the carrier sector with its WLAN products, while LM Ericsson (Nasdaq: ERICY), Agere Systems (NYSE: AGR/A), and Proxim Corp. (Nasdaq: PROX) recently teamed up to woo wireless operators. <<
>> Nokia EDGEs Into Arizona
Nokia
Unstrung
12.24.02
Nokia and Cellular One of Northeast Arizona today announced they have signed an agreement for the delivery of GSM/EDGE network systems. Nokia will be the sole supplier for the mobile switching and radio access network, which will bring next-generation services to large areas of Northeast Arizona and Western New Mexico that do not currently have mobile phone service. Deliveries have begun with commercial services scheduled for this month.
Under the agreement, Nokia will provide its industry-leading MSCi mobile switching platform, Base Station Controller, Nokia NetAct(TM) operations support system (OSS), and Short Message Service Center (SMSC), as well as the Nokia UltraSite EDGE-capable base stations, which address the growing demand for higher voice and data traffic in today's mobile networks. The Nokia UltraSite supports GSM, High Speed Data, GPRS, and EDGE technologies.
Nokia will also provide project management and GSM/EDGE implementation and optimization services for fast network ramp-up. Also included is an extensive range of care services, including training, software maintenance and emergency services, to help maintain the competitiveness of the network after rollout. <<
>> Nokia Launches EDGE Device
Las Vegas
11.18.02
Nokia (NYSE: NOK) announced the Nokia 6200 tri-band (GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/1800/1900MHz) phone, the world's first 3GPP compliant EDGE (Enhanced Data-Rates for GSM Evolution) handset, offering users advanced voice features and robust mobile data services via high speed Internet connectivity. The Nokia 6200 phone also represents the first mobile phone to support GSM 850, 1800 and 1900 frequency bands. Deliveries for operator controlled live network tests of the Nokia 6200 handset will begin in Q4 2002. Commercial availability for first customers is expected to begin Q1 2003.
GSM evolution to EDGE is a much needed technology enhancement because it alleviates some voice traffic bandwidth and enables higher data throughput, therefore maximizing overall efficiency and performance of the network and services. EDGE provides the platform for more efficient content delivery and more robust mobile services such as MMS, XHTML and Java(TM) technology at data speeds initially more than double that of existing GSM/GPRS networks.
“No technology is an economic success for the technology itself. What people want is effortless mobility, value-add applications and services, and fast, simple access to information on the go,” said John Barry, director, mobile phones business unit for Nokia “The Nokia 6200 handset allows users to take advantage of all of that with access to richer content and more advanced services at high speeds and allows carriers to begin realizing ROI for their next generation EDGE network investments.” <<
>> Nokia Promises EDGEy 2003
Ray Le Maistre
Unstrung
11.04.02
Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) claims it will deliver EDGE-capable mobile devices to European GSM operators in the second half of 2003.
Rene Svendsen-Tune (no, he didn't sing us a song!), senior VP for marketing and sales at Nokia's IP Mobility Networks division, told Unstrung at Nokia's Mobile Internet Conference in Munich that "EDGE terminals for European frequencies [900 MHz and 1,800 MHz] will be available in the second half of 2003," though he would not elaborate on volumes.
He also declined to name any of the operators that have allegedly taken delivery of EDGE (enhanced data for GSM evolution) equipment, but noted that operators that do not have a UMTS license are likely to be a key target market.
"EDGE is an obvious next step for those operators that do not have a 3G license. We are convinced that those GSM operators that do not have 3G spectrum will go down that route. We also believe that most GSM operators will leverage their [2G] spectrum to deploy EDGE at some stage, but there is not a strong momentum in Europe just now."
EDGE is an enhancement to the GSM and TDMA wireless communications systems that increases data throughput up to 384 kbit/s. EDGE uses the same basic network structure as existing 2G technologies. Nokia has already made some loose announcements about its EDGE position and plans (see Nokia Gets EDGEy). For those operators without a 3G license, EDGE would at least offer an opportunity for higher data rates than will be possible with GPRS, while, in many cases, not having to replace base stations. Both Nokia and LM Ericsson (Nasdaq: ERICD) have built upgrade opportunities into their GSM network equipment for years, and they market EDGE technology as a simple and cheap upgrade.
In addition, as part of the GSM evolution cycle (GSM-GPRS-EDGE-Wideband-CDMA), it would allow these 3G-less carriers: applications continuity; enhancements enabled by increased data rates; and the possibility of device support from existing GSM vendors.
Executives at Ericsson, Nokia's main GSM infrastructure rival, agree that EDGE will be deployed first by the 3G-less operators, and ultimately by most GSM carriers. "Why wouldn't an operator want to triple the IP capacity offered by GPRS?" said Mikael Halén, the Swedish vendor's director of W-CDMA marketing during a recent telephone interview with Unstrung. "GSM operators want to preserve the investment they have already made in their networks."
Which all sounds rather promising for the takeup of EDGE, seeing as how no additional (expensive) licenses or spectrum are required. Nokia's Svendsen-Tune is wise to this and, without prompting, proclaims W-CDMA as the ultimate capability for GSM operators and startup greenfield carriers alike. Wideband-CDMA increases data rates in GSM systems by using the CDMA air interface instead of TDMA; it is part of the universal mobile telecommunications specification (UMTS).
"W-CDMA still allows the most cost-effective solution and the best use of available capacity," he proclaims, knowing of course that the 3G license conditions require network infrastructure above and beyond the capabilities of EDGE. Knowing that they need to pump their cash and effort into UMTS/W-CDMA to meet their regulatory requirements, European operators with 3G licenses have no plans at present to deploy EDGE, according to IDC senior research analyst Paolo Pescatore.
While Europe looks at present to be less of an opportunity, the market is already developing in North America, while Asia is showing signs of interest, says Svendsen-Tune. "There is clear progression in the U.S. where WCDMA frequencies [2.5 GHz] are not available yet. AT&T Wireless Services Inc. [NYSE: AWE], Cingular Wireless, and T-Mobile USA have all announced plans and begun work on their networks. EDGE terminals for North America's GSM frequencies [850 MHz and 1,900 MHz] will be available in the first half of 2003," he says, which indicates a slight slip in timescales for handset delivery, as Nokia executives said during the company's recent financial statements that they would be available before the end of 2002.
Asia is less developed, but some operators should deploy EDGE in 2003, says the Nokia man, but that this would be outside the territories already well developed in high-capacity network systems (i.e., Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan).
On more general matters, Svendsen-Tune says Nokia is delivering WLAN equipment and systems to mobile operators for WLAN/WAN integration on all continents -- though you can count the number of customers at present on the fingers of "several hands" -- and that this is its own manufactured equipment based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE)'s 802.11 standards. Its channel via systems partner IBM Corp. (NYSE: IBM) is very important here, he says.
In the W-CDMA network equipment market, "Nokia has said we will take 35 percent of the market, and we are already very close to that." How close? "More than 30 percent, measured in actual sales booked."
He also claims that Nokia has a "very strong market position in GSM networks in China," but declines to say what that equates to in market share, simply stating that Nokia has a global share of the GSM equipment market "in the high 20s percent." <<
- Eric - |
