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Frequency allocation
The World Radio Conference (WRC) has allocated a frequency band
around 2GHz for use by Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs) to support
third generation public mobile phone and data services. These are
expected gradually to replace the existing second generation networks
(largely based on GSM and I995).
The International Telecommunications Union Radio (ITU-R) has overall
responsibility for defining the third generation system, known as the
International Mobile Telecommunications 2000 (IMT-2000).
The IMT-2000 system will be an integrated system that allows terminals to
access both satellite and terrestrial based stations. Bands 1885MHz to
2025MHz and 2110MHz to 2200MHz are allocated to the terrestrial
component. Bands 1980MHz to 2021MHz and 2170MHz to 2200MHz are
allocated to the satellite component.
UMTS summary
A UMTS network can consist of one or more access networks, using
different radio access systems, linked to the same core network. Together
they form a single UMTS network. The term UMTS covers all the network
elements in both the access network and the core network. The UTRAN
specified by ETSI is one such UMTS access network. It supports wide area
terrestrial mobile telecommunications services, using the Frequency
Division Duplex (FDD) IMT-2000 bands. This document concentrates
primarily on the ETSI FDD UTRAN. The UTRAN comprises the network
elements that correspond to the Base Station Subsystem (BSS) in a GSM
network: Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
Base Station Controller (BSC) In the UTRAN, the equivalent of the GSM
BTS is referred to as either the BTS or the Node B.
The equivalent of the GSM BSC is referred to as the Radio Network
Controller (RNC). The UTRAN BTS and RNC together form the Radio
Network System (RNS).
Owing to differences in the radio standards currently used, and
consequently those used to provide a IMT-2000 service, this document
concentrates on WRC Region 1, where the UTRAN RNS will be used as the
UMTS access network.
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The allocated spectrum consists of two blocks:
140MHz for TDD and FDD uplinks from 1885 to 2025MHz
90MHz for FDD downlinks from 2110 to 2200MHz
Satellite allocation
Within each block, two 30MHz sub-blocks with a 190MHz duplex
separation are allocated to
Satellite operation:
1980MHz to 2010MHz for uplinks.
2170MHz to 2200MHz for downlinks.
Terrestrial allocation
FDD systems
1920 to 1980MHz Uplink Mobile Transmit (60MHz band, duplex
separation 190MHz).
2110 to 2170MHz Downlink Base Transmit (60MHz band, duplex
spacing 190MHz).
TDD systems
1885 to 1920MHz (35MHz band).
2010 to 2025MHz (15MHz band).
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3
Layer 1
Layer 1 is the physical layer. Signalling and traffic data is borne on the air
interface by physical channels. The physical channels are defined by
code set and frequency in FDD mode and by code, timeslot, and
frequency in TDD mode.
Layer 2
Layer 2 is divided into two sub-layers:
Medium Access Control (MAC) layer (lower layer).
The MAC layer is responsible for the random access procedures, physical
link control, error protection, ciphering, multiplexing, and channel
mapping to the physical layer (Layer 1) Radio Link Control (RLC) layer
(upper layer).
GSM to UMTS Transition RF Engineering Guideline
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The RLC layer is responsible for logical link control, and acknowledgement
/unacknowledgement of data transfer
Layer 3
Layer 3 is the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer. The RRC layer is
responsible for
coordination and control of bearers, monitoring processes, power control,
measurement
reporting, paging, and broadcast control functions.
In order to define a process for each different type of information, sets of
logical channels are mapped onto transport channels, and ultimately
physical channels are defined.
Logical channels are defined between the RLC and the MAC. Transport
channels are defined between the MAC and the physical layer (Layer 1).
Logical channels
The following logical channels are used to transfer signalling information:
Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) downlink The BCCH is a downlink
broadcast channel which carries system information. There are two types:
BCCH-Constant (BCCH-C) and BCCH-Variable (BCCH-V), the data on
which may be constantly updated.
Paging Control Channel (PCCH) - downlink
The PCCH is a downlink channel which carries paging messages. It is used
when the
network does not know the location cell of the mobile or the mobile is in
sleep mode.
Common Control Channel (CCCH)
The CCCH is a bi-directional channel which carries data when the
mobile has no RRC
connection to the network.
Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH)
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The DCCH is a bi-directional channel which carries point-to-point
dedicated control data
between the network and a mobile. It is used when a dedicated
connection has been
established through RRC connection set up procedures.
ODMA Common Control Channel (OCCCH)
The OCCCH is a bi-directional channel which carries control data directly
between mobiles.
It is used when the mobile has no RRC connection with the network.
ODMA Dedicated Control Channel (ODCCH)
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The ODCCH is a bi-directional point-to-point channel which carries
dedicated control data directly between mobiles. It is used when a
dedicated connection has been established through the RRC
connection set-up procedures.
Shared Channel Control Channels (SHCCH) TDD mode only
The SHCCH is used in TDD mode only. It is a bi-directional channel which
carries control data for the uplink and downlink shared channels.
Synchronisation Control Channel (SCCH) TDD mode only
The SCCH is used in TDD mode only. It is a downlink channel which carries
the location
and structure of the BCCH.
The following logical channels are used to transfer user data:
Dedicated Traffic Channel (DTCH)
The DTCH is a bi-directional dedicated point-to-point channel which
carries user data
between the network and the mobile.
ODMA Dedicated Traffic Channel (ODTCH)
The ODTCH is a dedicated point-to-point channel which carries user data
directly between mobiles, used as a relay link.
Common Traffic Channel (CTCH)
The CTCH is a uni-directional point-to-multipoint channel which carries
user data for a
specified group of mobiles.
Transport channels
The information is transferred from the MAC layer and mapped onto
physical channels via a set
of transport channels.
There are two types of transport channel:
Common transport channels
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Dedicated transport channels
Common transport channels
Broadcast Channel (BCH) downlink
The BCH is transmitted from the base station to all mobiles in the cell
coverage area and
broadcasts system configuration information.
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Paging Channel (PCH) downlink
The PCH is also broadcast from the base station to all mobiles in the cell
coverage area. It
pages mobiles when they are in idle mode and only their Location Area,
not their specific
cell, is known. Forward Access Channel (FACH) downlink
The FACH is transmitted from the base station to mobiles and carries
relatively small
amounts of control data and very short packets of user data, without the
use of power
control.
Random Access Channel (RACH) uplink
The RACH is a contention-based uplink channel used for initial access,
non-real time
dedicated control or very short packets of traffic data.
ONMA Random Access Channel (ORACH)
The ORACH performs a similar function to the RACH when a relay link is
used.
Common Packet Channel (CPCH) FDD mode only
The CPCH is a contention-based channel carrying bursty traffic data in
shared mode using fast power control. Downlink Shared Channel (DSCH)
The DSCH is a downlink channel shared between several mobiles for
carrying control or
traffic data. DSCH Control Channel
The DSCH Control Channel is a downlink channel used in conjunction with
the DSCH for signalling of DSCH resource allocation.
Broadcast Channel (BCH)
The BCH is a downlink broadcast channel carrying system information for
the whole cell. Synchronisation Channel (SCH) TDD mode only
The SCH is a downlink TDD mode channel carrying synchronisation data
for the whole cell.
Note: This SCH has no connection with the physical channel SCH used in
FDD mode.
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Uplink Shared Channel (USCH) TDD mode only
The USCH is an uplink TDD mode channel shared by several mobiles for
carrying control or traffic data.
7
The following graph shows measurements taken during ETSI
characterisation tests of the AMR codec for AMR clean speech in AFS and
AHS modes, compared against GSM EFR, FR and HR.
Mean Opinion Score CIR (dB)
1
2
3
4
5
No
Errors
7 4 10 13 16 19
Wi rel ine Quality Region
ITU -T G .711 PCM-64 &
Analogue Local Loop
HR
AHS
AFS
EFR
FR
Figure 12 Speech quality (MOS) against CIR for GSM speech codecs
Advantages
Greater robustness to channel errors in FR mode under poor radio
channel conditions
Increased network capacity through codec operation in AMR Half
Rate mode and allowing a
lower CIR compared to existing GSM codecs
Significant capacity gains (up to 90%) can be achieved through AMR
mode
Extra capacity is freed up for expected increase in data traffic
Extended coverage deeper into buildings
AMR operation can be tailored to meet different operator needs
GSM to UMTS Transition RF Engineering Guideline
AMR can be used in the following modes:
Full Rate mode for maximum robustness to channel errors
Half Rate mode to maximise network capacity
Mixed Full/Half Rate mode. This allows operators to balance the trade-
off between speech
quality and network capacity in accordance with prevailing radio
channel and traffic load
conditions
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Mobile Handover
This chapter outlines the three main types of UMTS mobile handover, with particular
emphasis on inter system handover between a UTRAN and a GSM network.
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exists within a GSM network. This type of handover is to be expected in the
early
stages of UTRAN deployment, when UTRAN coverage may not be
contiguous over
network operators areas. Additionally, to promote competition some
countries are
encouraging the issue of UTRAN licences to companies that do not
operate an
existing GSM network. Under these circumstances, existing GSM licenses
have
been amended to require support for roaming by UTRAN subscribers
To support inter frequency hard handover, (for example, between UTRANs
or between a
UTRAN and a GSM network), the mobile must conduct a cell search on a
different frequency from that used for the serving cell, without interrupting
the data flow associated with the call in progress. This can be achieved
by either of the following methods:
Using a dual receiver
Slotted downlink transmission
Cell sets
The mobile maintains three cell sets:
Active Set
This lists all UTRAN cells that are currently assigning a downlink Dedicated
Physical
Channel (DPCH) to the mobile. It includes any cell with which the mobile
is in soft or softer handover. Handover Monitoring Set This lists all the cells
(UTRAN and GSM) that the mobile has been tasked to monitor. The list
corresponds to the BCCH Allocation (BA) list sent on the Slow Associated
Control
Channel (SACCH) in the GSM network.
A separate set can be defined to monitor for cell selection, corresponding
to the BCCH
Allocation (BA) list sent on the Broadcast Control channel (BCCH) in the
GSM network.
Handover Target Set This lists the cells received by the mobile at a level
sufficient for the associated DPCHs to be decoded, but which are not
currently in the Active Set. These cells may be on different frequencies
from the current serving cell, and part of a UTRAN or GSM network. GSM to
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3.3. Preparation for UTRAN to UTRAN
handover
The Handover Monitoring Set is sent to the mobile via the BCH of the
serving cell or via specific signalling on the Dedicated Channel (DCH). The
Handover Monitoring Set contains the following data for each monitored
cell:
Downlink scrambling code Cell ID number
The network knows the mapping of cell scrambling codes to
synchronisation codes (groups indicated by the secondary
synchronisation channel). During the neighbour cell measurement process
the mobile uses the primary and secondary synchronisation channels to
synchronise to the cells, together with knowledge of the scrambling codes
in use.
From both the serving and neighbour cells, the mobile measures the
downlink:
Received signal level
Relative timing between serving and neighbour cells, based on the
phase difference of the
scrambling codes Bit Error Rate (BER) / Block Error Rate (BLER)
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Slotted frames are achieved by compressing the data that would
normally be sent in a 10ms
frame, by either code puncturing or reducing the spreading factor, so
that it can be sent in only
5ms. This creates a 5ms silent period (the Silence Duration) during which
the mobile can make
GSM signal level measurements.
To avoid compromising the quality of the radio link during transmission of
the compressed slot
data, the transmitted power is increased. When high data rate services
are used, it may not be
possible to create the idle slot (the silent period) by compressing a single
time slot of data. In
this case the data in a number of slots can be compressed to create the
required idle slot.
As an alternative to slotted frames, mobiles can use an independent GSM
receiver branch.
However, although more flexible, this approach is likely to increase the
cost of mobiles.
GSM system information must be exchanged between the two networks.
This is to allow the
UTRAN to broadcast the GSM BA list (GSM frequencies to monitor) to the
mobiles in the
UTRAN area.
Due to the inherently lower maximum data rate available from a GSM
network, a more
integrated form of network operation is required if the particular type of
service is to be
maintained during inter system handover.
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Silence Duration parameters
The absolute length of the Silence Duration (SD) depends on the time
taken for the mobile to
switch from the UMTS frequency to a GSM frequency, decode and
measure the GSM channel
data, and switch back to the UTRAN frequency.
Note: Appendix A contains Silence Duration parameter definitions
reproduced from the ETSI
UTRAN Handover standard.
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GSM cell timing unknown
If there is no knowledge of the relative timing of the UTRAN and GSM cells,
Silence Duration
Patterns are used to search and decode the GSM Synchronisation
Channel (SCH). The
process is repeated whenever the mobile receives a new SCH.
Depending on the mobiles capabilities, the SCH search may be either
sequential (track first
GSM Frequency Correction Channel before decoding SCH), or parallel
(parallel tracking of FCH
and SCH). The parallel option decodes the SCH faster and thus needs
fewer SD patterns.
For example, a parallel search with 2 SD patterns every 0.48s alternately
using Tpattern1 (the delay
between successive SD patterns) of 226.92ms (47 * 4.615ms) and Tpattern2
263.08ms (57 *
4.615ms) is as efficient as a sequential search with 4 SD patterns per 0.48s
with T pattern 120ms.
The number of successive patterns used to scan a specific GSM frequency
(N pattern) before it is
assumed to be unsuccessful, can vary the probability of detection against
the number of slotted
frames (that is, the impact on UTRAN link). The default settings for Npattern
is 11 for serial
searches and 6 for parallel searches, to ensure successful detection under
worst case GSM cell
timing conditions.
If the SDs are allocated by the UTRAN on a periodic basis, the mobile
triggers the search
procedure within the available SDs. So no specific signaling is needed
between the mobile and
the UTRAN.
Alternatively, the mobile may initiate a search by sending a Request New
Cell Search message
to the UTRAN, within which it indicates its serial/parallel search capability.
The UTRAN
calculates a suitable SD pattern and advises the mobile using the normal
SD indicators. The
network operator can delay implementation of this SD pattern according
to the timing priority
assigned for New BSIC (Base Station Identity Code) identification. When
the mobile completes
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its search, it signals to the UTRAN the timing of the associated SCH (or SCH
Not Found).
Examples of Silence Duration and associated SD patterns are given in
Appendix A.
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GSM cell timing known
The mobile may gain some knowledge of the relative timing between the
UTRAN Active Cell set
and the GSM neighbour cells, either from the UTRAN, or following
acquisition of the GSM FCH.
When the timing is known, the Silence Duration pattern may be assigned
for a specific frame
intended to capture a specific GSM SCH/FCH.
The control is implemented over 306 frames (13 GSM multi-frames). As the
UTRAN 720ms
super-frame shifts of a super-frame during the period, the 4 x 306-frame
period is used to
align the timing of a UTRAN cell and a GSM cell.
The mobile performs an SCH search whenever a new GSM neighbour cell
is received, by
sending a Request New Cell Search to the UTRAN. The UTRAN responds
with:
Frame number where the slotted mode takes place (frame number {[x]
+ [n*306]} where n is
an integer)
GSM carrier for which the particular slotted frame is intended (BSIC, CI,
ARFCN)
When the search is complete, the mobile signals the UTRAN the timing of
the SCH (or SCH Not
Found), and the UTRAN stops the SD pattern.
GSM cell BSIC reconfirmation
Once the mobile has successfully received the SCH for a neighbors GSM
cell, it must reconfirm
the cell Base Station Identity Code (BSIC) to establish the identity of the
cell.
If Silence Durations (slotted frames) are allocated on a periodic basis on
the downlink, the
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mobile autonomously performs this process, and no specific signaling
between the UTRAN and
Mobile is necessary.
If Silence Durations are not allocated on a periodic basis on the downlink,
the mobile advises
the UTRAN of the timing of the SCH and the length of the Silence Duration
required to capture
one SCH burst. The UTRAN operator sets the BSIC reconfirmation target
time and this together
with the timing data received from the mobile is used by the UTRAN to
determine the Silence
Duration pattern. The Silence Duration pattern is communicated to the
mobile using the normal
Silence Duration Indicators. If the UTRAN already has timing data
regarding the neighboring
GSM cells, it can calculate the Silence Duration pattern with no mobile
involvement.
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Silence Duration parameters for GSM power
measurement
In order to measure the received power level of GSM carriers, additional
Silence Duration (that
is, slotted frames) will be required by mobiles without a separate GSM
receiver branch.
Monitoring multiple GSM neighbour cells
The previous sections introduced the concept of initial synchronisation,
identification, and power
measurement of a single GSM neighbour cell. In real deployment
situations this must be
extended to monitor multiple GSM neighbour cells in the following
circumstances.
Handover owing to lack of UTRAN coverage
When a dual-standard mobile moves outside the coverage of the UTRAN,
but remains
within coverage from a GSM network, it may handover from the UTRAN to
the GSM
network.
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The number of downlink slotted frames per reporting period (0.48s)
depends on:
- Type of slotted frame used (start, end, double start/end or mid-frame)
- Number of BCH measurements per slotted frame that the mobile can
perform
- Number of measurements required per reporting period
Handover owing to bearer services
A network operator with both a UTRAN and a GSM network may wish to
use the UTRAN
for high data rate services and the GSM network for low data rate services
(such as voice).
In this case, when a dual-standard mobile asks to set-up a call on the
UTRAN, it may be
assigned channels on either the UTRAN or the GSM network, according to
the bearer
service it negotiates with the network.
When the call set-up involves DCH allocation, the slotted mode is required
to handle GSM
handover preparation. The downlink slotted mode starts as soon as the
network knows the
requested bearer service. For example, when included in the initial bearer
request sent
from the mobile for a mobile originated call, or known by the network for
a network
originated call. The measurements are performed over a number of
reporting periods.
When the call set-up does not involve DCH allocation, downlink slotted
frames are not
required. The mobile cannot listen to GSM channels as the downlink
UTRAN messages can
occur at any time.
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Monitoring and reporting GSM neighbour
cells
A dual-standard mobile which is monitoring GSM neighbour cells, performs
the measurements
specified in the GSM recommendations:
Monitors up to 32 GSM carriers
16
Synchronises with up to 6 GSM carriers
Sends measurement reports back to the network on the 6 strongest
GSM cells for which
the BSIC is correctly decoded, (assuming the GSM Multi-band Reporting
parameter is set
for Normal Reporting)
Performs the measurements down to the reference sensitivity and
reference interference
levels specified in GSM Recommendation 05.05
Demodulates the GSM SCH on the BCCH carrier of each neighbour
cell and decodes the
BSIC as often as possible, and as a minimum once every 10s
The UTRAN to GSM handover may be invoked in either of the following
circumstances.
Handover owing to lack of UTRAN coverage
If the mobile can make systematic GSM neighbour cell measurements, it
does so when
served by a UTRAN cell on the edge of the UTRAN coverage area. If the
mobile cannot
make systematic GSM neighbour cell measurements, the UTRAN decides
whether to
activate this as a background task, based on the uplink and downlink
received signal level.
Handover owing to bearer services
If a Dedicated Channel is allocated during call set-up, implementation of
slotted mode on
the downlink is necessary to allow the mobile to make GSM cell
measurements. If a
Dedicated Channel is not allocated during call set-up, no measurements
are needed.
The handover procedure will stop in the following circumstances:
The mobile is instructed to execute a handover to GSM
The UTRAN includes a new cell in the Active Set (that is, start soft hand-
off)
Execution of an inter frequency handover within the UTRAN
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3.5. Handover execution
This section describes the execution of intra-UTRAN soft handover and
UTRAN-GSM
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handover.
UTRAN soft handover
The bearer service used by the mobile is known to the serving cell(s) of the
Active Set. When a
new cell is added to the Active Set the UTRAN passes the following data
to the new cell:
Maximum data rate and other service parameters associated with the
duplex connection
(for example, coding schemes, number of parallel code channels)
Mobile ID and uplink scrambling code
Timing information for the new cell, with respect to the time
synchronisation of the mobile
with the current serving cell(s), as measured by the mobile at its current
location. The new
cell uses this to calculate the timing of its common channel (for example,
BCH)
transmission
The mobile is given the following information via its current serving cell(s):
The frame that the new cell uses to start transmission to the mobile,
(assuming the Active
Set update is accepted)
The channel code(s) used for the transmission by different cells need not
be the same, and
each cell uses a different scrambling code
UTRAN to GSM handover
Handover owing to lack of UTRAN coverage
When the mobile executes the handover from the UTRAN to the GSM
network it stops
communication with the UTRAN and establishes its signalling link on the
target GSM cell
(as defined in GSM Recommendations 05.08 and 04.08). If the handover is
not successful
the mobile may attempt to resume communication with its previous
UTRAN serving cell(s).
Handover owing to bearer services
If the call set-up involves Dedicated Channel allocation, after receiving
the handover
execution message from the UTRAN to the GSM network, the mobile stops
communication
with the UTRAN and establishes its signalling link on the target GSM cell (as
defined in
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GSM Recommendations 05.08 and 04.08). If the handover is not successful
the mobile
may attempt to resume communication with its previous UTRAN serving
cell(s).
- If the call set-up does not involve Dedicated Channel allocation, the
mobile is
assigned a GSM channel and stops communicating with the UTRAN
serving cell(s).
As it has not yet synchronised to the GSM cell, the mobile then listens to
the GSM
target cell BCH frequency to establish its time slot and frame
synchronisation by
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decoding the FCH and SCH. Once completed the mobile establishes a
dedicated
traffic channel on the required frequency of the target cell.
3.6. GSM to UTRAN handover
To simplify cell identification, the GSM system may also indicate the UTRAN
base station
scrambling codes in the GSM/UTRAN service area. As the UTRAN does not
use a super-frame
structure to indicate synchronisation, a dual-standard mobile operating in
GSM mode may
obtain frame synchronisation with the UTRAN once the UTRAN base station
scrambling code
timing has been acquired. The scrambling code has a 10ms period and is
synchronised to the
UTRAN Common Channel frame timing.
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BTS Antennas
In addition to the usual BTS site antenna system design criteria (such as RF
characteristics and
site and electrical constraints) the existence and type of any network
already owned by the
organisation is crucial. The organisation may own a single band (900MHz
or 1800MHz) GSM
network, a dual band GSM network, or may not own an existing network.
Each situation is
discussed in this section.
At the time of writing, dual band (GSM/UMTS) antennas have been
developed by a number of
manufacturers and are about to enter production. Tri band antennas,
with separate isolated
ports and elements for 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2GHz are at the prototype
stage and expected
to enter production early in 2001.
No existing network
The simplest situation is if a company obtains a licence for an area where
it does not own an
existing network, does not wish to share antennas with an existing network,
and has no future
intention of operating a network on a different band.
In this case it is only necessary to install antennas for the UTRAN band. For
convenience, we
refer to these as 2GHz antennas.
Existing single band network
An existing GSM network operator may obtain a UTRAN licence, and
intend to operate both a
UTRAN and a GSM network for a period of time. The GSM network may
operate on the
900MHz or 1800MHz band.
For logistic and economic reasons the operator is likely to want to use
existing GSM network
BTS sites to provide UTRAN coverage. So it will be necessary to install an
antenna system at
the GSM sites, which can serve both the GSM and the UTRAN BTSs.
Separate GSM and UTRAN antennas
The simplest way to operate a dual band (GSM and UTRAN) base station is
to install separate
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antennas for the two bands. In an existing network this needs only one
additional antenna
system to serve the new 2GHz band. However, this approach has some
significant
disadvantages, including:
Greater loading on the antenna support structure
Increased number of antenna feeders and associated duct/riser
space required
Increased rental costs
Increased environmental impact with subsequent implications for
planning consent
Requirement to carry spares for each antenna type
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As a result, operators are likely to install dual band antennas.
Dual band GSM/UTRAN antennas
In view of the magnitude of the frequency span, dual band antennas
used for the 900MHz and
2GHz bands normally employ separate radiating elements for each band.
These are enclosed
in a common radome, and may comprise elements printed on a substrate
(microstrip
elements), or a number of three-dimensional (for example, wire) individual
dipole elements.
Although both the 900MHz and 2GHz element arrays are contained within
the same radome,
and may be laid on the same substrate, different electrical down-tilts may
be applied to each
array. Additionally, the electrical down-tilt may be either fixed or
electrically adjustable.
Typically, a fixed tilt is used for one array and its ground level radiation
pattern is adjusted by
mechanically tilting the whole antenna assembly. An electrical down-tilt is
applied to the second
array allowing its ground level radiation pattern to be separately adjusted.
Dual band antennas used for the GSM 1800MHz and UMTS 2GHz bands
may use the same
radiating elements. This is because the bandwidth required to cover both
bands (+/-230MHz) is
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only ~+/-12% of the centre frequency (1.94GHz). When a single antenna is
used for both bands
it is clearly not possible to have different values of down-tilt (either
electrical or mechanical)
applied to the two different bands.
In this case, if a single dual band antenna is to be used for duplex
operation on both bands, it is
necessary to:
Divide the received signal and provide a receive feed to both the
1800MHz and the 2GHz
BTS
Combine the transmit signal from the 1800MHz and 2GHz BTS, and
provide a common
feed to the antenna
Both the receive path receive distribution amplifier and power divider,
and the transmit path
combiner can be located in the equipment room.
As the 2GHz band is separated by ~40MHz from the 1800MHz band,
relatively low loss
broadband frequency selective band combiners can be used.
If a dual polarisation dual band antenna is used to provide receive
polarisation diversity, and
transmit diversity is not required, the 1800MHz BTS transmitter can feed one
polarisation, and
the 2GHz BTS transmitter can feed the other, thereby reducing transmitter
combining loss.
GSM to UMTS Transition RF Engineering Guideline
80 Lucent Technologies
Proprietary
See Notice on first page
Issue 1.1 - July 2000
Existing dual band network
Existing dual band GSM network operators who obtain a UTRAN licence,
may want to continue
to operate the dual band GSM network in addition to a UTRAN for the
foreseeable future. The
existing dual band network may operate with either single or dual band
(900/1800MHz)
antennas.
There are three possible options:
Install additional 2GHz antennas
At sites with separate 900 and 1800MHz antennas, replace the
1800MHz antenna with a
22
dual band 1800MHz / 2GHz antenna
At sites with dual band 900/1800MHz antennas, replace the dual band
900/1800MHz
antenna with a tri-band 900/1800/2000MHz band antenna
Separate GSM and UTRAN antennas
This option is unlikely to be popular, for the same reasons previously
outlined for single band
networks upgrading to UTRAN coverage.
Dual band GSM/UTRAN antennas
A dual band GSM/UTRAN antenna can be used under two
circumstances:
At sites with a separate 1800MHz antenna, the 1800MHz band antenna
can be replaced by
a dual band 1800/2000MHz antenna
At sites with a dual band 900/1800MHz antenna, the dual band
900/1800MHz antenna can
be replaced by a single band 900MHz antenna and a dual band
1800/2000MHz antenna
Both options yield a 900/1800/2000MHz antenna system using two
antennas.
The previous comments about dual band GSM/UTRAN antennas in an
existing GSM single
band network also apply to existing dual band networks.
Tri band GSM/UTRAN antennas
To date, tri band antenna developments have been based on the use of
two arrays of radiating
elements, one array for the 900MHz band and one broadband array for
both the 1800MHz and
2GHz bands. Both arrays are contained in one radome.
This technique allows different electrical down-tilts for the 900MHz beam
and the combined
1800/2000MHz beam. This is reasonable since the propagation
characteristics at 1800MHz and
2GHz are similar, when compared with 900MHz propagation.
Tri band antennas are likely to be installed at sites which currently use dual
band 900/1800MHz
antennas. They allow the capability to provide service on 900MHz,
1800MHz, and 2GHz from a
single antenna system.
GSM to UMTS Transition RF Engineering Guideline
Issue 1.1 - July 2000 Lucent Technologies
Proprietary
23
See Notice on first page
81
As with the dual band GSM/UTRAN antenna, a similar 1800MHz and 2GHz
signal power
receive path division and transmit path combination is required. However,
in the case of the tri
band antenna, if a single 900/1800/2000MHz feeder (for each polarisation)
is used, it is also
necessary to:
In the equipment room, combine the transmit and divide the receive
900, 1800, &
2000MHz power
Due to the spacing between the three bands, frequency selective
broadband power
combiners with relatively low insertion loss (<1dB) can be used.
At the masthead, or within the tri band antenna:
Combine the received 900MHz power from the 900MHz antenna elements
with the 1800 &
2000MHz received power from the broadband 1800/2000MHz antenna
elements.
Divide the BTS transmit power at 900MHz from that at 1800 & 2000MHz,
and present it to
the 900MHz antenna elements, and the broadband 1800/2000MHz
antenna elements
respectively.
The power division/combining between the 900MHz and 1800/2000MHz
paths can be
implemented externally or within the antenna radome.
In addition to the standard choices of single or dual polarisation, azimuth
and elevation
beamwidth, and gain, some dual band GSM/UTRAN and tri band
antennas provide an internal
900MHz and 1800/2000MHz band diplexer (cross-band coupler).
The main configurations available for dual band GSM/UTRAN antenna
feeders are illustrated in
the following diagram:
GSM to UMTS Transition RF Engineering Guideline
82 Lucent Technologies
Proprietary
See Notice on first page
Issue 1.1 - July 2000
Figure 16 Example configurations for dual band GSM/UTRAN antennas
Note: Dual polarisation antennas have been illustrated to demonstrate
the most complex
24
configuration, but they are not mandatory for dual GSM/UTRAN band
operation.
Tri band antenna with internal band diplexer
This combines the signals from both the 900MHz and 1800/2000MHz band
elements onto a
single mast feeder.
The advantages of a single feeder system are:
Mast/tower loading is similar to that for GSM operation
The same number of feeders is required as for GSM operation (no
additional feeders to
install when upgrading a GSM site for UTRAN operation)
Reduced justification for rental increase at leased sites
Reduced installation time
Reduced maintenance effort
No additional cable riser/duct/tray/ladder space required
GSM to UMTS Transition RF Engineering Guideline
Issue 1.1 - July 2000 Lucent Technologies
Proprietary
See Notice on first page
83
The disadvantages of a single feeder system are:
Because common feeders are used, the improved cell availability for
users of dual
standard GSM/UTRAN mobiles due to the redundancy arising from
provision of GSM and
UTRAN coverage is reduced
Losses incurred in the internal antenna band diplexer
Masthead pre-amplifiers cannot be added at their optimum position
(which is immediately
after the antenna)
Additional losses incurred in the cross-band combiner installed near the
base station
transceiver rack
Tri band antenna without internal band diplexer
This type of antenna has two separate ports: one for the 900MHz feeder
and one for the
1800/2000-MHz feeder.
It can be used with an external cross-band combiner to achieve a similar
effect to a dual band
GSM/UTRAN antenna with internal cross-band diplexer. However, this
approach requires
additional tails, and the components that are not housed within the
antenna require
25
weatherproof housing and mounting.
The relative advantages and disadvantages of using a dual band
antenna without internal
cross-band diplexer are the exact converse of those for an antenna with
the internal cross-band
diplexer.
GSM to UMTS Transition RF Engineering Guideline
Dual band and tri band GSM/UTRAN diplexers
Dual band and tri band diplexers are used to combine and divide two
and three (possibly
duplex) signal bands, so that more than one band can share a common
antenna or antenna
feeder.
Isolation between the ports for each band is necessary to avoid high
power transmit signals
from one band impairing the performance of the receiver(s) operating on
the other bands.
Dual band diplexers
Dual band diplexers may take the following configurations:
900MHz and 2GHz
1800MHz and 2GHz
Dual band diplexers are three port devices used for the following
purposes:
To combine a Band 1 signal on port one with a Band 2 signal on port
two, and present the
composite signal on port 3
To divide a composite Band 1 and Band 2 signal input on port 3, and
present the Band 1
signal on port one, and the Band 2 signal on port two
Provide inter port isolation between ports 1 and 2
Example
Assume that a base station site wishes to operate a GSM 900, GSM 1800,
and UTRAN BTS
using a single dual polar duplex antenna with a single port for 900, 1800,
and 2000MHz signals,
and an internal 900MHz and 1800-2000MHz diplexer.
A 1800MHz and 2GHz dual band diplexer can be used to combine the
signals from the GSM
1800 and UTRAN BTSs. A second dual band diplexer can be used at the
ground end of the
feeder to combine this signal with that from the GSM 900 BTS. This
configuration is shown in
the right of the following diagram.
26
If a dual band antenna without an internal diplexer is used with a single
900/1800/2000MHz
feeder, a second dual band diplexer with 900MHz and 1800-2000Morts
may be used at the
antenna end of the feeder. This second diplexer divides the 900MHz and
1800-2000MHz
signals from the common feeder and presents them to the appropriate
antenna ports. This
configuration is shown in the centre illustration in the following diagram
27
Operating temperature 40 to +850C
28
Data on
3G
An Introduction to the Third Generation
29
See also
http://www.mobile3G.com
30
1. Introduction The telecommunications world is changing
as the trends of media convergence,
industry consolidation, Internet and Internet Protocol (IP) technologies and
mobile communications collide into one. Significant change will be
bought about by this rapid evolution in technology, with Third Generation
mobile Internet technology a radical departure from that that came
before in the first and even the second generations of mobile technology.
Some of the changes include:
People will look at their mobile phone as much as they hold it to their
ear. As such, 3G will be less safe than previous generations- because
television and other multimedia services tend to attract attention to
themselves- instead of hands-free kits, we will need eyes-free kits!
As with all new technology standards, there is uncertainty and the fear of
displacement. Third Generation (3G) mobile is topical and contentious for
several reasons:
31
3G is based on a different technology platform- Code Division Multiple
Access (CDMA)- that is unlike the Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
technology that is widely used in the 2G world. GSM (Global System for
Mobile Communications) was based on TDMA technology
The US, Japanese and European mobile players all have different
technology competences and are now unified in this single standard-
the separate wireless evolution paths and European wireless leadership
are thereby challenged
Many industry analysts and other pundits have questioned the return
on an investment in 3G technology- questioning whether network
operators will be able to earn an adequate return on the capital
deployed in acquiring and rolling out a 3G network.
32
business case can pay for itself. The main positive (rather than
defensive) reason for mobile network operators to secure 3G network
licenses is to solve capacity issues in terms of enabling far greater call
capacity than todays digital mobile networks allow.
Non voice (data) traffic will also be huge, with new mobile multimedia
applications such as mobile postcards, movies and music driving new
applications and services along with corporate applications.
Applications and services available through the Internet, intranet and
extranet will drive the interest in and traffic on 3G networks.
Many people will not have a fixed phone at home. Preventing this until
now has been the slow speed of mobile data in 2G and even so called
2.5G technology that has made Internet access the principle
application for home phones.
33
vendors will be those that can deliver new products rapidly and
reliably.
From an end user point of view, the move from GPRS to 3G is much
more revolutionary than the move from Second Generation data
services to GPRS. GPRS allows the mobile network to catch up with the
data bandwidths available over fixed telecommunications networks,
whereas 3G provides unprecedented bandwidth for mobile users, so
34
much bandwidth that new applications will need to be invented to use
it.
35
In the first half of 1999, much progress was made in agreeing a global IMT-
2000 standard that met the political and commercial requirements of the
various technology protagonists- GSM, CDMA and TDMA. In late March
1999, Ericsson purchased Qualcomms CDMA infrastructure division and
Ericsson and Qualcomm licensed each others key Intellectual Property
Rights and agreed to the ITUs family of networks compromise to the
various standards proposals.
36
TABLE 2: SOURCE MOBILE LIFESTREAMS
As can be seen from the table above, there are several different names
for each of the air interface modes, and furthermore, new names are
regularly introduced! For the sake of this book, we refer to WCDMA,
cdma2000 and FDD wherever possible, and refer to UWC 136 and UMTS
separately.
There are three radio interface modes with two (existing) major core
network standards- GSM MAP and TIA IS-41 (from Telecommunications
Industry Association, a US standards setting body). The core network is the
physical network infrastructure to which the radio access network is
connected in a mobile network. A radio access network is the portion of a
mobile network that handles subscriber access, including radio base
stations and other nodes.
3G DATA RATES
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
has laid down some indicative minimum
requirements for the data speeds that the IMT-2000 standards must
support. These requirements are defined according to the degree of
mobility involved when the 3G call is being made. As such, the data rate
that will available over 3G will depend upon the environment the call is
being made in:
High Mobility 144 kbps for rural outdoor mobile use. This data
rate is available for environments in which the 3G
user is traveling more than 120 kilometers per hour in outdoor
environments. Let us hope that the 3G user is in a train and not driving
along and trying to use their 3G terminal at such speeds.
Full Mobility
37
384 kbps for pedestrian users traveling less than 120 kilometers per hour in
urban outdoor environments.
RADIO NETWORK A new air interface is needed for 3G. This will
require new Base Station Systems (BSSs).
Specifically, the BSS changes needed are:
NODE B
38
A Node B is equivalent to a Base Station in the 2G network but also
incorporates support for the 3G air interfaces.
CORE NETWORK
The 3G core network will be an evolution from
GPRS or equivalent 2.5G core network systems.
GPRS nodes such as the Serving GPRS Support
Node (SGSN) and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) are described in
detail in Data on GPRS from Mobile Lifestreams. Upgrades to the mobile
and transit switching systems to deliver packets will also be needed.
39
transport technology but is certain to be based on packet technologies
such as Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and Internet Protocol (IP). The
backbone network is built as a mesh of IP routing or ATM switching nodes
interconnected by point to point links. Technologies such as IP over ATM
may be used that uses ATM switching to multiplex IP traffic. This IP over
ATM architecture supports voice traffic alongside IP. Many vendors prefer
a pure end to end IP approach whereas others (such as Fujitsu profiled
below) prefer an ATM/ IP hybrid to guarantee quality of service.
40
5. Timescales for 3G When a new service is introduced,
there are a number of stages
before it becomes established. 3G service developments will include
standardization, infrastructure development, network trials, contracts
placed, network roll out, availability of terminals, application
development, and so on. These stages for 3G are shown in Table 4 below:
Date Milestone
Throughout 3G radio interface standardization took place, and initial 3G
1999 live demonstrations of infrastructure and concept terminals
shown
2000 Continuing standardization with network architectures,
terminal requirements and detailed standards
May 2000 The formal approval of the IMT-2000 Recommendations will
be made at the ITU Radio communication Assembly in early
May
2000 3G licenses are awarded by governments around Europe
and Asia
2001 3G trials and integration commence
41
6. 3G Specific Applications
With 3G, MP3 files will be downloadable over the air directly to your
phone via a dedicated server. There are numerous business models to
allow both the network providers as well as the copyright owners of the
MP3 material to benefit financially. Mobile Lifestreams expects that the
integration of mobile telephony with everyday consumer products will
emerge within the next four years to the extent that we will be able to
retrieve data be it voice, Internet or Music anytime, anyplace through
the next generation of mobile devices.
Mobile phones with MP3 built-in from Samsung and with add on MP3
modules from Ericsson have already been demonstrated in late 1999 and
are expected to be commercially available during the year 2000. These
devices are shown in the next section below.
The era of downloading multimedia content from the Internet over fixed
telecommunications and cable links to PCs is only just beginning and is
dependent upon bandwidth to a large degree- with quality of image and
availability of service inversely proportionate to the amount of available
bandwidth.
42
Due to bandwidth constraints, currently, users go online and downloaded
files to their portable device over the fixed network which are then
watched and listened to a later date- there is no real time audio and
video streaming over mobile networks.
Since even short voice clips occupy large file sizes, high speed mobile
data services are needed to enable mobile audio applications. The
higher the bandwidth, the better- hence the attractiveness of 3G for
mobile multimedia applications such as mobile audio and video.
VoIP is not however a replacement for standard voice services since VoIP
services are bandwidth demanding- there needs to be a high switching
rate on the IP backbone to minimize the very high likelihood of delayed
and lost packets.
STILL IMAGES
Still images such as photographs, pictures, letters,
postcards, greeting cards, presentations and static web pages can be
sent and received over mobile networks just as they are across fixed
telephone networks.
43
the slow data transmission speeds that were available prior to the
introduction of mobile packet data.
Whilst a picture paints a thousand words, and this amount of text can
easily be handled by GPRS, we expect the single image to be used
instead!
44
MOVING IMAGES
Sending moving images in a mobile
environment has several vertical market
applications including (monitor sensor triggered) monitoring parking lots or
building sites for intruders or thieves, and sending images of patients from
an ambulance to a hospital. Videoconferencing applications, in which
teams of distributed sales people can have a regular sales meeting
without having to go to a particular physical location, is another
application for moving images that is similar to the document sharing/
collaborative working applications reviewed below. Skeptics argue that
vertical markets dont need video and consumer s dont want it.
However, with the Internet becoming a more multimedia environment, 3G
will be able displaying those images and accessing web services.
As such, whilst we are confident that still images such as pictures and
postcards will be a significant application for GPRS, moving images may
not be of high enough quality initially to elevate the communication
above the medium. Users could spend all their time adjusting the size of
the image on their screen and trying to work out what they are seeing.
This is where 3G comes in- once again, the bandwidth uplift it enables
allows for high quality image transmission over the mobile network. As
such, we see all moving video and image transmission application
migrating to the 3G bearer as soon as it becomes available. By the time
3G is here, full length moves could be downloadable from Internet sites.
45
VIRTUAL HOME ENVIRONMENT
VHE could also allow some other more useful services by placing their
Universal Identity Module (UIM) into ANY terminal- and those terminals
could be something other than mobile devices if smart cards are more
widely supported than they are today.
In general, smart cards are hyped beyond their usefulness. They have very
limited storage capability (64 K counts for being the state of the art!!!!!!!!!!!)
but are useful in switching devices (users are likely to have multiple
devices in different form factors in the 3G world) and for non-mobile
applications such as identification and security for mobile banking and
the like.
ELECTRONIC AGENTS
46
Certainly, 3G terminals will give their owners much more control over their
lives than todays mobile phones. They will be e Assistants, e Secretaries, e
Advisors and e Administrators. This kind of control is what Home
Automation applications anticipate. Indeed Orange in the UK has a vision
expects that within ten years, our mobiles will be waking us up, reading
out our emails, ordering our groceries, telling us the best route to work,
reminding us and translating our conference calls. The key question is the
extent to which these processes are human initiated or computer
generated and controlled and the extent to which devices can learn
individual preferences and act accordingly.
Download Times
Download times vary depending on the speed of your modem and the
size of the application. Typical download times vary from 10 minutes to
two hours.
Download Time
Connection Speed
Very fast corporate type connection (e.g. T1) 30 seconds
Corporate type connection (e.g. ISBN) 12 minutes
47
Typical home modem (e.g. 28.8 modem) 104 minutes
By
7. Optimal Bearer by Applications designing
application
s to minimize the effects of the limitations of existing mobile services- such
as the length of a short message or the speed of a Circuit Switched Data
call- existing nonvoice mobile services can often be successfully used for
mobile working. However, many nonvoice applications are graphics
intensive and the new faster data services such as 3G will allow BETTER
VERSIONS of todays existing nonvoice applications.
It is often assumed that early adopters will be corporate customers for 3G,
but Mobile Lifestreams expects that since consumer electronics devices as
their name suggests appeal to consumer markets and will have 3G built
in. Mobile multimedia- games, entertainment and the like are much more
consumer oriented that the buttoned down sober suited business people.
Mobile Lifestreams expects 3G to be a consumer revolution and not a
corporate one.
The most ideal bearer for each application- 3G, GPRS or the Short
Message Service (SMS).- is an important question we will consider next.
48
Downloading Software 3G
Virtual Home Environment 3G
Web Browsing GPRS/ 3G
Document Sharing/ Collaborative Working GPRS/ 3G
Audio GPRS/ HSCSD/ 3G
Home Automation GPRS/ 3G
Remote LAN Access GPRS/ 3G
Electronic Agents GPRS/ 3G
Dynamic Authoring GPRS/ 3G
Job Dispatch GPRS
Still Images GPRS
Information Services- Qualitative GPRS
Unified Messaging SMS/ GPRS
Internet Email SMS/ GPRS
Chat SMS/ GPRS
Remote Monitoring SMS/ GPRS
Instant Messaging SMS/ GPRS
Mobile banking SMS/ GPRS
Corporate email SMS/ GPRS
Information Services- Quantitative SMS
Affinity programs SMS
Simple Person to Person Messaging SMS
Voice and fax mail notifications SMS
Prepayment SMS
Ringtones SMS
Electronic commerce SMS
Customer Service SMS
Vehicle Positioning SMS
Over The Air SMS
People Location SMS
Remote Point of Sale Circuit Switched Data
Of course, stating optimal and primary bearers does not mean that
handset vendors, network operators, application developers and
customers will not develop all kinds of applications using all kinds of
bearers. However, these bearers are considered to be the optimal means
to deliver the customers requirements in the most efficient and
convenient way.
49
With any new service, it is an
8. Initial 3G Traffic important part of the business case
to estimate what the applications
for that technology will be. We believe that the business case for any
network operator for Third Generation (3G) is compelling. The more
popular nonvoice applications using Third Generation (3G) are expected
to be:
Rankin Application
g Bearer
1 Voice over IP (VoIP) 3G
2 Moving Images 3G
3 Remote LAN Access GPRS/ 3G
4 File Transfer 3G
5 Downloading Software 3G
6 Web Browsing GPRS/ 3G
7 Audio GPRS/ HSCSD/ 3G
8 Document Sharing/ Collaborative GPRS/ 3G
Working
9 Home Automation GPRS/ 3G
10 Electronic Agents GPRS/ 3G
11 Dynamic Authoring GPRS/ 3G
12 Virtual Home Environment 3G
50
SOURCE: MOBILE LIFESTREAMS
51
14. 3G Mobile Terminals
As shown and described in
detail in Mobile Lifestreams 3G Terminals report, there are common
trends in 3G terminals:
The most popular form factor that has been shown in the 3G concept
devices is the video palm- a device form factor that can be held in
one hand and supports video applications with varying small, medium
or large screen sizes.
Nearly all of the devices are in form factors that are familiar to us
today- we may use the phone for different things and in different ways,
but it will probably look similar to todays mobile phones
52
Shown below are a couple of the 3G Concept devices from NTT DoCoMo,
a Japanese mobile network operator. On the left is a video phone built
into a walking stick and on the right is a Visor Phone that you wear like
glasses and watch like television!
53
9. 3G Contracts Awarded
Country Network Operator Date announced 3G Supplier
Australia Telstra 23MAY99 Lucent
(WCMA)
Australia One.Tel 23NOV99 Lucent
Canada NA Ericsson
54
Japan NTT DoCoMo 28APR99 Ericsson
55
Comparison of 3G Infrastructure Suppliers
Note: A rating of High denotes a better ranking than MED and so on.
It is interesting that Nortel and Lucent who have made large IP related
acquisitions (Bay Networks and Ascend respectively) have done well with
3G whilst making little inroads into the GPRS market.
56
DATA
(DATA). Denotes the data centricity of the vendor. Each of
the vendors has pursued a different strategy relating to support of non
voice mobile services such as the Short Message Service (SMS) and Circuit
Switched Data in the past. Clearly, these partnerships and this is house
knowledge will affect the vendors willingness and ability to develop
complete and compelling 3G applications. Only Nokia is rated highly in
this category since it has pioneered the use of Circuit Switched Data and
the Short Message Service much more proactively than any other vendor.
It has lead the way in terms of man machine interface on its terminals,
support in its terminals for non voice services such as confirmation of
message delivery and picture messaging and Smart Messaging.
Nortel Networks has not been very active in the non voice field in the past,
other than through partnerships and reseller relations rather than in-house
developments. Nortel is however highly committed to mobile IP networks
with core networks based on IP and IP based services and applications.
dual slot mobile phones. Ericssons approach to non voice has not been
proactive- the terminals have had poor man machine interfaces and the
Alcatel have partnered with Phone.com for WAP services, but done little
else in the non voice field. Lucent has developed a superb concept
platform called the Wireless Data Server, as well as being active in the
CDPD market.
57
AIR LINKS
airline standards. Alcatel, Nokia and Siemens are primarily GSM vendors.
Motorola supports multiple air links such as GSM, TACS, AMPS, DAMPS, PHS,
CDMA, but not TDMA. Ericsson, Lucent and Nortel are all worldwide
vendors of all kinds of air link systems. Ericsson has not traditionally
ACQUISTIONS
(ACQ). All of the 3G vendors have
been acquiring IP companies over the past couple of
years and in particular during 1999 as they seek to
position themselves for the converging Internet and
wireless world. Alcatel acquired large players such as
DSC Communications Corporation and Xylan
Corporation, Lucent Technologies made by far the
most expensive acquisition when it acquired Ascend
and Nortel Networks purchased Bay Networks. Siemens,
Ericsson and Nokia have all chosen to acquire several
less expensive smaller companies rather than large
58
vendors. Motorola has taken the partnership route with
Cisco Systems rather than acquire companies in this
field.
PARTNE
For 3G, Alcatel has partnered with Motorola and Cisco
Systems. Ericsson has not partnered with anyone to implement its IP plans.
Neither has Lucent. Motorola partners with Cisco Systems, Fujitsu, Alcatel
and Pioneer. Nokia partners with InterDigital. Nortel partners with
Matsushita/ Panasonic and Samsung. Siemens is working with NEC and
Casio.
We can see that many of these partnerships are between Japanese and
European companies. We expect to see more such partnerships such as
between mobile phone manufacturers and consumer electronics
manufacturers in the not too distant future.
Lucent, Nortel, Siemens and Alcatel only have a few GPRS contracts
between them- Lucent are yet to announce their first customer for
PacketGSM.
59
11. Summary The Third Generation of mobile
communications will bring with it mobile multimedia with high data
bandwidths and sophisticated mobile terminals and new services and
applications.
Simon Buckingham
Email: simonB@mobilelifestreams.com
60