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3G
wireless global communication technology makes possible
packet-based transmission of digitized voice, data
and video. The "3G" IMT-2000 framework
supports the signal transmission technologies of
WCDMA (a natural progression from GSM networks)
and CDMA 2000. Carriers can only use one technology
and present networks generally determines the 3G
path.
Currently the North American wireless service providers
use TDMA, FDMA, GSM and CDMA and Europe uses GSM.
North America 
looks set for
a mixed progression, whereas Europe and Japan favor
WCDMA and China and South Korea look set to use
CDMA 2000.
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Both WCDMA and
CDMA 2000  systems
have strong potential 3g futures, according to preliminary
3G plans.
European Countries and Japan will use UMTS terrestrial
radio access (UTRA) for their 3G mobile networks
with WCDMA. Its maximum throughput, given as minimums,
is related to the environment as defined by cell
structure. In rural areas this will be 1.44K; in
cities 384K and indoors 2M bit/sec. They will provide
each connection with high flexibility and support
of multiple parallel variable-rate services. Voice
Stream Wireless Corp. and AT & T Wireless Group
Inc. of the U.S. are also taking the WCDMA route.
The committment of NTT DoCoMo Inc. is clear as it
constructs a nationwide WCDMA platform for 3G worth
$8 billion in committed resources on completion
(as estimated by Goldman Sachs Group). Currently,
DoCoMo is conducting a beta test with approximately
4000 uses and has a large-scale implementation ready
for October.
Sprint PCS and Verizon will complete their U.S.
CDMA 2000 network
upgrade during 2002. They are presently conducting
field trials with CDMA 1XRTT. This will double the
present voice capacity of CDMA systems and improve
data rates to 144 bit/sec.
As we write this Cingular Wireless Inc. has not
yet officially committed to either platform. |
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