Mobile telco giant Globe Telecom on Thursday questioned the regulators’ plan to exclude qualified 3G (third-generation) communications firms from participating in the auction of the fifth remaining 3G frequency spectrum.
It would seem that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), according to Globe, is favoring the entry of new players by blocking off current 3G frequency holders from the spectrum assignment process.
The frequency band 1965 to 1975 megahertz (MHz), 2155 to 2165 MHz or 1890 to 1900MHz/1970 to 1980MHz have been made available by the regulators for assignment. The NTC wants to bar existing 3G frequency holders and their affiliates from applying for the last license.
Globe, according to regulatory affairs head Froilan Castelo, opposes this, saying the cellular firm cannot be lawfully disqualified from applying for the remaining frequency band. “How can the best-qualified be disqualified?” asked the Globe lawyer.
The NTC conducted a public hearing in January for this purpose. In that hearing, it was stated that the proposed rules for bidding out the remaining 3G frequency are a continuation of the 2005 circular issued for the same purpose. Only four frequency slots were awarded.
Castelo opined that if the NTC considers the proposed rules as a continuation of its 2005 promulgation—where four out of the nine firms were deemed qualified to apply for 3G frequencies—then only the same four qualifiers should be allowed to join the auction.
But since Connectivity Unlimited Resource Enterprise Inc. (Cure) was acquired by Smart Communications Inc. last year, there remain only three possible assig-nees—Globe, Smart and Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc. “As a continuation of the 3G spectrum assignment memorandum circular of 2005, the five applicants disqualified then are still disqualified now. Since Globe, Smart and Digitel are existing 3G spectrum assignees, now disqualified under the draft rules, it would appear that the entire telecommunications industry at large is effectively restricted from gaining access to the remaining 3G spectrum and from utilizing the same for public service,” said Castelo.
Globe added that the consequence of the so-called continuation is the disqualification of existing telcos, “presumably in favor of a new player or two.”
Express Telecom, which did not apply a 3G license in the previous occasion, is now actively pursuing a comeback, openly declaring its intention to be a 3G player.
Not surprisingly, Express Telecom favored the NTC draft rules and even told the commission that it wants previously disqualified 3G applicants—Bayan Telecommunications Inc., AZ Communications, Multimedia Telephony Inc., Pacific Wireless and Next Mobile Inc.—to be excluded from the new frequency assignment process.
Globe said that even if new applicants will still be entertained, they will be hard-pressed to use the cellular spectrum. Globe cited the case of Cure, which never sustained viable operations since its 3G spectrum assignment in January 2006. “Cure was eventually acquired by Smart last year, alleviating its pressure to cope with commercial dues. On the side, it is alarming to note that the said acquisition resulted in an unfairly disproportionate allocation of 3G frequencies among incumbents—25Mhz for Smart and only 10Mhz each for Globe and Digitel,” said Castelo.
The cellular firm said there are other ways of fostering a competitive environment other than adding new players to an already fiercely competitive industry. Globe urged the NTC to keep the remaining 3G radio frequencies within grasp of companies which have truly proven their ability to make the best use of the scarce resource.
“Hence, there should be no outright disqualification of existing 3G spectrum assignees; rather, a qualification process evolved from the one employed in 2005 to cull out the best qualified ought to be applied on the very same current assignees. The most sensible track for the assignment of the remaining 3G frequencies is to allow the qualified parties to face off-ideally in a beauty contest, but in open tender if necessary should demand exceed supply,” said Castelo.
Globe said it has invested over $250 million into 3G mobile and broadband technologies and services since 2006. As of October 2008, Globe has more than 1,800 3G cellsites, extending its 3G footprint across 66 of the 79 provinces.
It had applied for additional 3G spectrum twice last year. On March 5, it requested the NTC to be assigned the 825-845/870-890 MHz band to expedite 3G service deployment in rural areas. On May 16, Globe applied for the same 3G frequencies that are the subject of the current draft circular in order to increase capacity for higher 3G HSDPA (high-speed data packet access) transmission rates.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
3G Standards
The dream of 3G is to unify the world's mobile computing devices through a single, worldwide radio transmission standard. Imagine being able to go anywhere in the world secure in the knowledge that your mobile phone is compatible with the local system, a scenario known as "global roaming". Unfortunately, the process of unifying the numerous international standards has proved to be extremely difficult. After difficult negotiation, a 3G "standard" called IMT-2000 emerged as a rather unsatisfactory compromise. IMT-2000, in fact, represents several incompatible standards lumped together under one banner. The hope of IMT-2000 is that phones using these different standards will be able to move seamlessly between all networks, thus providing global roaming.
The rather fragmented nature of IMT-2000 has resulted in a proliferation of confusion acronyms (e.g., TDMA, UMTS, EDGE) often referred to as "alphabet soup". Possibly the most important acronym to remember is "UMTS": this is the 3G standard for Europe and Japan.
UMTS is the successor to the current ultra-successful GSM mobile phone standard in Europe. UMTS is being very heavily sold as the 3G standard (some sources use the terms "3G" and "UMTS" synonymously, though this is really not correct and just adds to the confusion).
The main global competitor to UMTS is CDMA2000, the 3G standard developed in the U.S. by Qualcomm. UMTS and CDMA2000 look set to battle it out for global supremacy. However, other less-publicised standards will not let those two have it all their own way. It is hoped that the following guide will act as a roadmap through the confusing subject of 3G standards. Let's start by stepping back a "G"...
The rather fragmented nature of IMT-2000 has resulted in a proliferation of confusion acronyms (e.g., TDMA, UMTS, EDGE) often referred to as "alphabet soup". Possibly the most important acronym to remember is "UMTS": this is the 3G standard for Europe and Japan.
UMTS is the successor to the current ultra-successful GSM mobile phone standard in Europe. UMTS is being very heavily sold as the 3G standard (some sources use the terms "3G" and "UMTS" synonymously, though this is really not correct and just adds to the confusion).
The main global competitor to UMTS is CDMA2000, the 3G standard developed in the U.S. by Qualcomm. UMTS and CDMA2000 look set to battle it out for global supremacy. However, other less-publicised standards will not let those two have it all their own way. It is hoped that the following guide will act as a roadmap through the confusing subject of 3G standards. Let's start by stepping back a "G"...
GPRS and 3G Wireless Networks
Abstract:
The Mobile Cellular Systems have evolved very rapidly in the past few years. Starting from the First Generation Systems which supported only speech we now have systems which offer varied kind of services like audio-video, Internet access, facsimile etc. In this report, fist of all an introduction to Mobile cellular concepts is presented. This is followed by discussion of GPRS and UMTS (Third Generation) Cellular Systems in greater detail. The architecture of both the systems is discussed in detail.
The Mobile Cellular Systems have evolved very rapidly in the past few years. Starting from the First Generation Systems which supported only speech we now have systems which offer varied kind of services like audio-video, Internet access, facsimile etc. In this report, fist of all an introduction to Mobile cellular concepts is presented. This is followed by discussion of GPRS and UMTS (Third Generation) Cellular Systems in greater detail. The architecture of both the systems is discussed in detail.
Telecom Carriers Unveils 3G Network Construction Plans
BEIJING, Apr 10, 2009 (SinoCast Daily Business Beat via COMTEX) -- CHUFF | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Top executives for China's three integrated telecom carriers disclosed their 3G network construction progress and plans for the near future at the 2009 Mobile Communication Industry Summit Forum on April 9.
China Unicom Vice President Zhang Fan said that the company aims to achieve seamless switch between 3G and 2G networks. The 2G network, which has been upgraded, will undertake the traditional voice business. As for the 3G network, all base stations will be deployed with high-speed downlink packages access (HSDPA) and high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA), with down-link speeds up to 14.4Mbit/s and up-link speeds up to 5.76Mbit/s.
Zheng Qibao, general manager for China Telecom strategy division, forecasted that the telecom operator's investment in base stations will leap 80% by the end of July 2009. Taking over the CDMA business in July 2008, China telecom saw its mobile phone subscribers increase 1.7 million in this February.
China Mobile plans to build approximately 140,000 TD-SCDMA new base stations in 2009-2011. The TD-SCDMA network is expected to cover 70% of the country at the end of 2009 and cover all Chinese cities at 2011-end. Totally, the number of TD-SCDMA base stations will top 160,000 by then.
China Unicom Vice President Zhang Fan said that the company aims to achieve seamless switch between 3G and 2G networks. The 2G network, which has been upgraded, will undertake the traditional voice business. As for the 3G network, all base stations will be deployed with high-speed downlink packages access (HSDPA) and high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA), with down-link speeds up to 14.4Mbit/s and up-link speeds up to 5.76Mbit/s.
Zheng Qibao, general manager for China Telecom strategy division, forecasted that the telecom operator's investment in base stations will leap 80% by the end of July 2009. Taking over the CDMA business in July 2008, China telecom saw its mobile phone subscribers increase 1.7 million in this February.
China Mobile plans to build approximately 140,000 TD-SCDMA new base stations in 2009-2011. The TD-SCDMA network is expected to cover 70% of the country at the end of 2009 and cover all Chinese cities at 2011-end. Totally, the number of TD-SCDMA base stations will top 160,000 by then.
Sprint's new ads stress savings, 3G network
Last month, I celebrated the fact that Sprint was killing its bizarre ad campaign with CEO Dan Hesse. Reader response to the blog was divided--some readers said they liked the ads, while others shared my joy. A Sprint spokesperson even chimed in to say that the ads "ranked among the best wireless ads in recent months for memorability."
Sprint also was good enough to send me its press release for two new TV, billboard, and Internet ad campaigns. The first, which (surprise!) features the Palm Pre (at least someone gets to touch it), revolves around Sprint's Now Network, aka the carrier's wireless broadband network. The central message appears to be the breadth of Sprint's network and the services, information and communication available on it. The campaign launched April 6.
You can see the video on YouTube and Sprint has launched a "Sprint Now widget" that gives you a taste of the campaign. On the widget is a treasure trove of random facts that will fascinate the trivia buff.
You'll find everything from Sprint-related factoids, such as how many text messages are being sent to the carrier's network, to the very non-Sprint-related, such as how many babies are being born right now. You'll also find completely useless information, such as how many people are stuck in elevators are this moment.
From the start, I found the widget utterly compelling, even if it was a little much for the eyes to take in at once. Why you need all the little people walking over the various tiles (see the widget), I don't know.
Yet, I dare to say that it could influence people to switch to Sprint. While it doesn't tell you why Sprint is better, it can get you excited about technology, communication, and the speed at which the two are conveyed. Bunker types may find it frightening, but that's a fair trade-off. You can download the widget if you wish, and I'm certain it will be available on the Pre once the phone goes on sale.
In another series of ads, which launched April 3, the emphasis is on saving money in a tight economy. According to Sprint's press release, "Sprint continues to emphasize that individuals and families can save a great deal on their wireless bills if they switch to Sprint from AT&T or Verizon." Perhaps you can't save by switching from T-Mobile.
I'll have to catch the full campaigns for my final verdict, but as long as I'm not watching Hesse walk through a black-and-white New York City (with the occasional Sprint yellow), I think it's an improvement. The San Francisco-based agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners produced both campaigns.
Sprint also was good enough to send me its press release for two new TV, billboard, and Internet ad campaigns. The first, which (surprise!) features the Palm Pre (at least someone gets to touch it), revolves around Sprint's Now Network, aka the carrier's wireless broadband network. The central message appears to be the breadth of Sprint's network and the services, information and communication available on it. The campaign launched April 6.
You can see the video on YouTube and Sprint has launched a "Sprint Now widget" that gives you a taste of the campaign. On the widget is a treasure trove of random facts that will fascinate the trivia buff.
You'll find everything from Sprint-related factoids, such as how many text messages are being sent to the carrier's network, to the very non-Sprint-related, such as how many babies are being born right now. You'll also find completely useless information, such as how many people are stuck in elevators are this moment.
From the start, I found the widget utterly compelling, even if it was a little much for the eyes to take in at once. Why you need all the little people walking over the various tiles (see the widget), I don't know.
Yet, I dare to say that it could influence people to switch to Sprint. While it doesn't tell you why Sprint is better, it can get you excited about technology, communication, and the speed at which the two are conveyed. Bunker types may find it frightening, but that's a fair trade-off. You can download the widget if you wish, and I'm certain it will be available on the Pre once the phone goes on sale.
In another series of ads, which launched April 3, the emphasis is on saving money in a tight economy. According to Sprint's press release, "Sprint continues to emphasize that individuals and families can save a great deal on their wireless bills if they switch to Sprint from AT&T or Verizon." Perhaps you can't save by switching from T-Mobile.
I'll have to catch the full campaigns for my final verdict, but as long as I'm not watching Hesse walk through a black-and-white New York City (with the occasional Sprint yellow), I think it's an improvement. The San Francisco-based agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners produced both campaigns.
T-Mobile expands its 3G network
T-Mobile USA plans to have more than 20 markets lit with 3G coverage when it begins selling the first ever Google Android phone in October. But will it be enough to entice smartphone consumers to choose the HTC Dream over the iPhone 3G or even the BlackBerry Bold?
The verdict is still out on that one.
Even though the Android-based HTC Dream hasn't been officially announced, most people believe it will support 3G speeds when T-Mobile unveils it next week. And given the fact that it will compete head-to-head with Apple's iPhone 3G and newer versions of Research in Motion's BlackBerry devices, it really needs to be 3G.
The biggest problem for T-Mobile has been its nearly nonexistent 3G network. T-Mobile launched its 3G service in New York in May. Since then, it has added service in 12 other markets including, Austin,Texas, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Portland, Ore., San Antonio, and San Diego.
And on Thursday T-Mobile said it would expand its 3G coverage from 13 markets to 27 markets by the end of the year. The expansion will provide 3G access to more than two-thirds of T-Mobile's current customer base, the company said. T-Mobile also plans to keep expanding coverage in 2009.
By mid-October, when the HTC Dream hits the market, the company will expand 3G coverage to additional markets including, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Orlando, Fla., Philadelphia, Sacramento, Calif., San Francisco, and Seattle. And by the end of the year, six more markets will get 3G: Birmingham, Ala., Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis, Tenn., and Tampa, Fla.
Getting the 3G service up and running in as many markets as possible is key to T-Mobile's overall strategy. But even with the planned network expansion, T-Mobile will still be woefully behind its competitors when it comes to its 3G coverage.
Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel have the largest 3G footprints. AT&T plans to have 3G deployed in 350 markets by the end of the year, but it has still been criticized for not having enough of its network covered with 3G to satisfy some iPhone 3G users. T-Mobile's lack of 3G coverage could lead customers--even those who are hot to try an Android phone--willing to wait for a different Android handset on another carrier's network.
The verdict is still out on that one.
Even though the Android-based HTC Dream hasn't been officially announced, most people believe it will support 3G speeds when T-Mobile unveils it next week. And given the fact that it will compete head-to-head with Apple's iPhone 3G and newer versions of Research in Motion's BlackBerry devices, it really needs to be 3G.
The biggest problem for T-Mobile has been its nearly nonexistent 3G network. T-Mobile launched its 3G service in New York in May. Since then, it has added service in 12 other markets including, Austin,Texas, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Portland, Ore., San Antonio, and San Diego.
And on Thursday T-Mobile said it would expand its 3G coverage from 13 markets to 27 markets by the end of the year. The expansion will provide 3G access to more than two-thirds of T-Mobile's current customer base, the company said. T-Mobile also plans to keep expanding coverage in 2009.
By mid-October, when the HTC Dream hits the market, the company will expand 3G coverage to additional markets including, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Orlando, Fla., Philadelphia, Sacramento, Calif., San Francisco, and Seattle. And by the end of the year, six more markets will get 3G: Birmingham, Ala., Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis, Tenn., and Tampa, Fla.
Getting the 3G service up and running in as many markets as possible is key to T-Mobile's overall strategy. But even with the planned network expansion, T-Mobile will still be woefully behind its competitors when it comes to its 3G coverage.
Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel have the largest 3G footprints. AT&T plans to have 3G deployed in 350 markets by the end of the year, but it has still been criticized for not having enough of its network covered with 3G to satisfy some iPhone 3G users. T-Mobile's lack of 3G coverage could lead customers--even those who are hot to try an Android phone--willing to wait for a different Android handset on another carrier's network.
3G phone network standards vary by carrier
If you’re among the growing number of Americans using the Web or e-mail on your phone, the quality of that experience depends on your cell phone company's data network. Wireless carriers all make similar promises of blazingly fast mobile Internet, even more so now with 3G, or third-generation, wireless.
A speedy network with a strong signal brings faster-loading Web pages, quick e-mail delivery and smoother video streams on the go. Of course, sluggish data speeds and lousy network coverage means you'll likely wait until you get to work or home before jumping online via computer.
So what are the differences between the mobile Internet technologies and networks of AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile, the four major carriers in the United States?
A speedy network with a strong signal brings faster-loading Web pages, quick e-mail delivery and smoother video streams on the go. Of course, sluggish data speeds and lousy network coverage means you'll likely wait until you get to work or home before jumping online via computer.
So what are the differences between the mobile Internet technologies and networks of AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile, the four major carriers in the United States?
T-Mobile Launches 3G Modem
Catering to users who want a constant cellular connection to their laptops, T-Mobile has unveiled its new WebConnect USB Laptop Stick. According to the Seattle Times, the USB stick modem is equipped with up to 8GB of storage capacity, has a slot for a micro SD card and comes with a SIM card.
The portable modem enables users to connect to the Web from their laptop using T-Mobile's 3G network or Wi-Fi. In addition, the WebConnect USB Laptop Stick includes T-Mobile Connection Manager software which automatically detects the best means of connectivity for the user, says CNET News. The device also features tri-band 3G connectivity making it usable when a user is traveling abroad. It's also compatible with GPRS/EDGE so users will still be able to connect to the Web when in an area without 3G.
T-Mobile's WebConnect USB Laptop Stick will be available today in select T-Mobile retail stores. The device by itself costs $250, $100 with a one-year service contract, or $50 with a two-year service contract. The monthly plan runs $60 for 5GB of wireless data.
The portable modem enables users to connect to the Web from their laptop using T-Mobile's 3G network or Wi-Fi. In addition, the WebConnect USB Laptop Stick includes T-Mobile Connection Manager software which automatically detects the best means of connectivity for the user, says CNET News. The device also features tri-band 3G connectivity making it usable when a user is traveling abroad. It's also compatible with GPRS/EDGE so users will still be able to connect to the Web when in an area without 3G.
T-Mobile's WebConnect USB Laptop Stick will be available today in select T-Mobile retail stores. The device by itself costs $250, $100 with a one-year service contract, or $50 with a two-year service contract. The monthly plan runs $60 for 5GB of wireless data.
Why 3G?
3G provides accelerated data speeds and simultaneous voice and data capabilities for an amazing wireless voice and data experience.
Access CV for faster on-demand viewing of high quality video clips from your favorite TV shows, news, sport and weather
Surf the wireless Internet faster and significantly lower your wait for page loads
Download files and access email faster from favorite providers like Yahoo!, MSN, and AOL.
Multi-task while you are on a call—search for movies times, look up directions, or send messages.
Get more done with faster access to email and internet. AT&T LaptopConnect gives you the power of the AT&T network while you’re on the go
How fast is AT&T’s mobile broadband 3G network?
AT&T offers the nation’s fastest 3G network. 3G speeds for supported devices deliver:
Typical download speeds of 700 Kbps—1.7 Mbps
Typical upload speeds of 500 Kbps—1.2 Mbps
Technology
The AT&T 3G network uses HSDPA/UMTS technology (High Speed Downlink Packet Access/Universal Mobile Telephone System), which makes it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless services. It also gives AT&T the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services. That means you can talk and use the Internet at the same time. How's that for multitasking?
Availability
Check the coverage viewer for mobile broadband 3G coverage in your area.
Disclaimer: 3G network not available in all areas
Disclaimer: Referenced speeds require an HSDPA 3.6Mbps / HSUPA capable device with Receive Diversity and/or Equalizer. BroadbandConnect speed claims based on our network tests without compression using 3MB data files. 3G devices not enabled with HSUPA support typical upload speeds of 220-320kbps based on our network tests without compression using 500KB data files for upload. Actual throughput speed varies.
Access CV for faster on-demand viewing of high quality video clips from your favorite TV shows, news, sport and weather
Surf the wireless Internet faster and significantly lower your wait for page loads
Download files and access email faster from favorite providers like Yahoo!, MSN, and AOL.
Multi-task while you are on a call—search for movies times, look up directions, or send messages.
Get more done with faster access to email and internet. AT&T LaptopConnect gives you the power of the AT&T network while you’re on the go
How fast is AT&T’s mobile broadband 3G network?
AT&T offers the nation’s fastest 3G network. 3G speeds for supported devices deliver:
Typical download speeds of 700 Kbps—1.7 Mbps
Typical upload speeds of 500 Kbps—1.2 Mbps
Technology
The AT&T 3G network uses HSDPA/UMTS technology (High Speed Downlink Packet Access/Universal Mobile Telephone System), which makes it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless services. It also gives AT&T the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services. That means you can talk and use the Internet at the same time. How's that for multitasking?
Availability
Check the coverage viewer for mobile broadband 3G coverage in your area.
Disclaimer: 3G network not available in all areas
Disclaimer: Referenced speeds require an HSDPA 3.6Mbps / HSUPA capable device with Receive Diversity and/or Equalizer. BroadbandConnect speed claims based on our network tests without compression using 3MB data files. 3G devices not enabled with HSUPA support typical upload speeds of 220-320kbps based on our network tests without compression using 500KB data files for upload. Actual throughput speed varies.
AT&T Mobile 3G Network to Support Blazing 20 Mbps Speeds
Those on AT&T who are not enjoying the carrier's speeds on connectivity may have the possible summer launch of a new iPhone to thank. Ma Bell is supposedly performing massive network upgrades in preparation for a possible June iPhone launch according to Gizmodo. According to the report, AT&T may up its current network speeds of 7.2Mbps on the 3G mobile data network to 14.4 Mbps, with some coverage areas to receive an upgrade to 10 Mbps.
In addition to increasing the data speed, the carrier is said to be switching its data from the 1900 MHz frequency to the 850 MHz frequency. The 850 MHz frequency is credited for holding better signal strength and can operate better in densely populated areas with buildings and trees.
In addition to increasing the data speed, the carrier is said to be switching its data from the 1900 MHz frequency to the 850 MHz frequency. The 850 MHz frequency is credited for holding better signal strength and can operate better in densely populated areas with buildings and trees.
3G services expected to boost economy
For operators, the issuance of 3G licenses means the beginning of a new round market competition; for equipment suppliers, it means there will be a huge investment cake worth RMB280 billion yuan in the future three years; for subscribers, 3G means the bandwidth of cell phone surfing will be sharply increased and the charge will be cheaper and cheaper. For 3G itself, 3G is a service market. Both the construction and operation of 3G will promote a new development for telecommunication manufacturers.
Wen Jiabao, Premier of State Council, stated when delivering government work report on The 2nd Session of The 11th National People's Congress on March, 5th that technological R&D and industrialization shall be supported and promoted, including such aspects as new energy, biology, medicine, 3G mobile communication, 3-network integration, energy conservation and environmental protection. Before it, only after one week that State Council Executive Meeting approved the initiation of 3G licenses, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of P.R.C. (MIIT) issued 3G licenses to three major operators promptly.
In the early January, MIIT announced that China Mobile Communications Corporation (China Mobile) had been approved to add TD-SCDMA-based 3G business operating permission, China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom) had been approved to add CDMA2000-based 3G business operating permission, and China United Network Communications Corporation Limited (China Unicom) had been approved to add WCDMA-based 3G business operating permission.
For operators, the issuance of 3G licenses means the beginning of a new round market competition; for equipment suppliers, it means there will be a huge cake in the market; for subscribers, 3G means the bandwidth of cell phone surfing will be sharply increased and the charge will be cheaper and cheaper. What's more important, under the current international financial crisis, 3G construction will not only benefit expanding domestic demand and promoting economic stable and rapid development, but also benefit expediting industrial enterprises' structural adjustment and industrial competitiveness upgrade.
Drive RMB2 trillion yuan social investment
Li Yizhong, Minister of MIIT, once revealed that in accordance with their own development plans of the telecom operators approved to operating 3G licenses, around RMB280 billion yuan is planned to directly invest on 3G in 2009 and 2010. Experts analyst that 3G construction could promote the shape-up of such a communication industrial chain that includes 3G network construction, terminal equipment manufacture, operating service and information service. In the future three years, it will even drive the social investment worth nearly RMB2 trillion yuan and drive China's GDP up 0.5 to 1 percent.
Our reporter learned that since the beginning of this round of telecom reorganization, for the sake of taking positive position in the future 3G operation, the three major operators had finished the upgrade and capacity expansion of the current network and the equipment public bidding successively. Besides the former initiated TD network construction, China Unicom is expediting the internal test on the first batch of WCDMA trial network in such eight cities as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Foshan, Liuzhou, Zhengzhou, Baoding, Wuhan and Wuxi. In this month, China Unicom will officially conduct WCDMA equipment public bidding, and the first batch of WCDMA network will be officially opened in May. According to plans, China Unicom will finish the network distribution in big cities before the mid-2009, and realize the network operation in middle-and-above-level cities before the end of 2009.
Due to technologies, the speed on upgrading and transforming China Telecom's CDMA network will be faster. Industrial experts estimated that China Telecom would be such an operator that could provide overall 3G services the earliest, and the time of upgrade from current CDMA network to 3G-version CDMA2000 only need one month. An insider in Guangdong China Telecom revealed that Guangdong China Telecom would have a mature capacity on issuing 3G numbers by the mid of this year.
"Operators will turn their focus on trying their best to construct 3G network. And the situation of the operators in the future five to ten years will depend on the competitive strength in 3G era. Therefore, under this network construction strategy, it is very likely that operators will take short time and high quality as a goal, not dragging but seeking for quick success." This will play a huge promoting role in the overall telecom industrial chain and national economy development. Liu Yunjie, Director of Science & Technology Committee of China Unicom, believed that the 3G license issuance in China will even play a huge promoting role in the global stagnant market.
Zeng Jianqiu, Professor and Doctoral Advisor of Economics and Management School of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, believed that the driving of 3G demand will be a continuous course and unlikely to invest several hundred billion Renminbi all at once. Issuing 3G mobile communication licenses will exert significant function in driving domestic demand, optimize the competitive structure in telecommunication market and advancing the maturity of TD-SCDMA industrial chain. Speaking in such an aspect, 3G doesn't play industrial cards but national cards. Under the challenge to global economic development, 3G will become a powerful weapon to resist international financial crisis.
3G demand will be released gradually
Zeng Jianqiu also expressed that the driving of 3G demand will be a continuous course, especially in the big country China, to promote 3G networks comprehensively needs several years. Meanwhile, the driving of 3G has a chain relation. 3G itself is a service market. The 3G construction and operation will enable telecom manufacturers have a new development. 3G will play a positive role in driving domestic demand, including promoting the development of China's 3G and global 3G. With the official issuance of 3G licenses in China, telecom operators, equipment manufacturers, cell phone manufacturers and even investors in share market are all itching to share the cake. Seen from the experience of overseas 3G operations, 3G network investment construction will drive the growth of telecom equipment manufacturers' revenue, and the promotion of 3G business will enhance operators' ARPU and their business expansion capacity in some extent. Some consumers expressed that although the 3G operation cost in the early stage is relatively higher, and the price is possibly higher, with the rapid growth of the group using cell phone to surf in the internet, the competition of the three major operators will be fiercer, and the charge on mobile data business will be lower and lower.
Meanwhile, while China's three major operators are expediting 3G network construction, they will also make full efforts to fasten the development of 3G business to let 3G be used widely in terms of education, art, science, office, entertainment, communications, business, work, daily life, health care, first-aid treatment and disaster relief. Therefore, with the new impact of 3G on the consumption mode of information era, compared with the consumption demand stimulated by 3G constructions, the investment scale for the construction only takes up a small part.
Lv Tingjie, Dean of Economics and Management School of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, expressed that the year of 2009 mainly focuses on the fundamental infrastructure construction. Various application developments have an exploring course, so the promotion speed will be low. It is estimated that the blowout growth of 3G application will emerge in the second half of 2009 or in the early of 2010.
Wen Jiabao, Premier of State Council, stated when delivering government work report on The 2nd Session of The 11th National People's Congress on March, 5th that technological R&D and industrialization shall be supported and promoted, including such aspects as new energy, biology, medicine, 3G mobile communication, 3-network integration, energy conservation and environmental protection. Before it, only after one week that State Council Executive Meeting approved the initiation of 3G licenses, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of P.R.C. (MIIT) issued 3G licenses to three major operators promptly.
In the early January, MIIT announced that China Mobile Communications Corporation (China Mobile) had been approved to add TD-SCDMA-based 3G business operating permission, China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom) had been approved to add CDMA2000-based 3G business operating permission, and China United Network Communications Corporation Limited (China Unicom) had been approved to add WCDMA-based 3G business operating permission.
For operators, the issuance of 3G licenses means the beginning of a new round market competition; for equipment suppliers, it means there will be a huge cake in the market; for subscribers, 3G means the bandwidth of cell phone surfing will be sharply increased and the charge will be cheaper and cheaper. What's more important, under the current international financial crisis, 3G construction will not only benefit expanding domestic demand and promoting economic stable and rapid development, but also benefit expediting industrial enterprises' structural adjustment and industrial competitiveness upgrade.
Drive RMB2 trillion yuan social investment
Li Yizhong, Minister of MIIT, once revealed that in accordance with their own development plans of the telecom operators approved to operating 3G licenses, around RMB280 billion yuan is planned to directly invest on 3G in 2009 and 2010. Experts analyst that 3G construction could promote the shape-up of such a communication industrial chain that includes 3G network construction, terminal equipment manufacture, operating service and information service. In the future three years, it will even drive the social investment worth nearly RMB2 trillion yuan and drive China's GDP up 0.5 to 1 percent.
Our reporter learned that since the beginning of this round of telecom reorganization, for the sake of taking positive position in the future 3G operation, the three major operators had finished the upgrade and capacity expansion of the current network and the equipment public bidding successively. Besides the former initiated TD network construction, China Unicom is expediting the internal test on the first batch of WCDMA trial network in such eight cities as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Foshan, Liuzhou, Zhengzhou, Baoding, Wuhan and Wuxi. In this month, China Unicom will officially conduct WCDMA equipment public bidding, and the first batch of WCDMA network will be officially opened in May. According to plans, China Unicom will finish the network distribution in big cities before the mid-2009, and realize the network operation in middle-and-above-level cities before the end of 2009.
Due to technologies, the speed on upgrading and transforming China Telecom's CDMA network will be faster. Industrial experts estimated that China Telecom would be such an operator that could provide overall 3G services the earliest, and the time of upgrade from current CDMA network to 3G-version CDMA2000 only need one month. An insider in Guangdong China Telecom revealed that Guangdong China Telecom would have a mature capacity on issuing 3G numbers by the mid of this year.
"Operators will turn their focus on trying their best to construct 3G network. And the situation of the operators in the future five to ten years will depend on the competitive strength in 3G era. Therefore, under this network construction strategy, it is very likely that operators will take short time and high quality as a goal, not dragging but seeking for quick success." This will play a huge promoting role in the overall telecom industrial chain and national economy development. Liu Yunjie, Director of Science & Technology Committee of China Unicom, believed that the 3G license issuance in China will even play a huge promoting role in the global stagnant market.
Zeng Jianqiu, Professor and Doctoral Advisor of Economics and Management School of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, believed that the driving of 3G demand will be a continuous course and unlikely to invest several hundred billion Renminbi all at once. Issuing 3G mobile communication licenses will exert significant function in driving domestic demand, optimize the competitive structure in telecommunication market and advancing the maturity of TD-SCDMA industrial chain. Speaking in such an aspect, 3G doesn't play industrial cards but national cards. Under the challenge to global economic development, 3G will become a powerful weapon to resist international financial crisis.
3G demand will be released gradually
Zeng Jianqiu also expressed that the driving of 3G demand will be a continuous course, especially in the big country China, to promote 3G networks comprehensively needs several years. Meanwhile, the driving of 3G has a chain relation. 3G itself is a service market. The 3G construction and operation will enable telecom manufacturers have a new development. 3G will play a positive role in driving domestic demand, including promoting the development of China's 3G and global 3G. With the official issuance of 3G licenses in China, telecom operators, equipment manufacturers, cell phone manufacturers and even investors in share market are all itching to share the cake. Seen from the experience of overseas 3G operations, 3G network investment construction will drive the growth of telecom equipment manufacturers' revenue, and the promotion of 3G business will enhance operators' ARPU and their business expansion capacity in some extent. Some consumers expressed that although the 3G operation cost in the early stage is relatively higher, and the price is possibly higher, with the rapid growth of the group using cell phone to surf in the internet, the competition of the three major operators will be fiercer, and the charge on mobile data business will be lower and lower.
Meanwhile, while China's three major operators are expediting 3G network construction, they will also make full efforts to fasten the development of 3G business to let 3G be used widely in terms of education, art, science, office, entertainment, communications, business, work, daily life, health care, first-aid treatment and disaster relief. Therefore, with the new impact of 3G on the consumption mode of information era, compared with the consumption demand stimulated by 3G constructions, the investment scale for the construction only takes up a small part.
Lv Tingjie, Dean of Economics and Management School of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, expressed that the year of 2009 mainly focuses on the fundamental infrastructure construction. Various application developments have an exploring course, so the promotion speed will be low. It is estimated that the blowout growth of 3G application will emerge in the second half of 2009 or in the early of 2010.
CDMA 3G Variants (in the IMT-2000 Family)
In this section we cover the following
:: cdma2000
:: cdma2000 1X-EV-DO
:: cdma2000 1X-EV-DV
:: cdma2000 3X
CDMA aficionados are rigorously promoting a technically benign upgrade of existing cdmaOne (IS-95) CDMA networks to faster cdma2000 technology, a CDMA 3G standard that they say can provide the same level of 3G service claimed by W-CDMA/UMTS promoters. There are various types of cdma2000 types, explained below.
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cdma2000 1X
The 1xEV specification was developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), a partnership consisting of five telecomnunications standards bodies: CWTS in China, ARIB and TTC in Japan, TTA in Korea and TIA in North America.It is also known as High Rate Packet Data Air Interface Specification. It delivers 3G-like services up to 140 kbps peak rate while occupying a very small amount of spectrum (1.25 MHz per carrier), protecting this precious resource for operators.
cdma2000 1X EV-DO
1X EV-DO, also called 1X-EV Phase One, is an enhancement that puts voice and data on separate channels in order to provide data delivery at 2.4Mbit/s. It was developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), a partnership consisting of five telecomnunications standards bodies. Also known as High Rate Packet Data Air Interface.
cdma2000 1X EV-DV
EV-DV, or 1X-EV Phase Two with promises of data speeds ranging from 3Mbps to 5Mbps. As many as eight proposals have been submitted to standards committee 3GPP2 for the design of EV-DV
cdma2000 3X
CDMA2000 3x is an ITU-approved, IMT-2000 (3G) standard. It is part of what the ITU has termed IMT-2000 CDMA MC. It uses 5 Mhz spectrum (3x 1.25 Mhz channels) to give speeds of around 2-4 Mbps.
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This first phase of cdma2000 - variously called 1XRTT, 3G1X, or just plain 1X - is designed to double current voice capacity and support always-on data transmission speeds 10 times faster than typically available today, some 153.6 kbps on both the forward and reverse links.
Handset standby times also increase by up to 50%. Users will also be able to benefit from enterprise and consumer applications requiring more bandwidth, including personal information management, telemetry, corporate intranet access, video conferencing, gaming and music on demand.
The increase in voice and data capacity stems inter alia from advances in modulation algorithms, new IP backbones, and new chipsets that support up to 32 simultaneous users on a single chip, a four-fold increase over the previous generation.
While the cdma2000 specification allows for an evolutionary migration to later advances in cdma2000 that use core IP networks and voice-over-IP, the current 1X migration requires relatively modest hardware and software upgrades to existing cdmaOne infrastructure. Even then, operators can upgrade to 1X without having to implement it throughout their entire cdmaOne network, which means they can upgrade certain hotspots that require voice capacity enhancements or higher data speeds.
The strategy also aims to reduce technological risks by phased enhancements of networks with medium rate data services, and then later evolve to higher rate data services so as to avoid uncertainties of ROI that currently cloud the UMTS 3G vision.
cdma2000 can be deployed in existing spectrums such as 1900MHz along with an existing cdmaOne system, overlaying its new feature set and increased capacity on the existing cdmaOne networks. Most importantly, it uses existing (and paid for) 1.25 MHz spectrum.
Handsets using cdma2000 technology will also be backward compatible to the existing cdmaOne networks, so current handsets and features will operate over next generation networks providing continued access both at home and while roaming. Operators who deploy 3G with 1X will still have roaming with worldwide CDMA operators on their cdmaOne networks. Dual mode handsets that allow TDMA/cdma2000 interoperability may also augment the business case for a move by TDMA operators to cdma2000.
The flexible migration from cdmaOne provides a series of upgrades leading to cdma2000's increased voice capacity and Megabit 3G data rates, allowing each operator to upgrade when its individual market requirements dictate without significantly upgrading infrastructure or purchasing new spectrum.
:: cdma2000
:: cdma2000 1X-EV-DO
:: cdma2000 1X-EV-DV
:: cdma2000 3X
CDMA aficionados are rigorously promoting a technically benign upgrade of existing cdmaOne (IS-95) CDMA networks to faster cdma2000 technology, a CDMA 3G standard that they say can provide the same level of 3G service claimed by W-CDMA/UMTS promoters. There are various types of cdma2000 types, explained below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cdma2000 1X
The 1xEV specification was developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), a partnership consisting of five telecomnunications standards bodies: CWTS in China, ARIB and TTC in Japan, TTA in Korea and TIA in North America.It is also known as High Rate Packet Data Air Interface Specification. It delivers 3G-like services up to 140 kbps peak rate while occupying a very small amount of spectrum (1.25 MHz per carrier), protecting this precious resource for operators.
cdma2000 1X EV-DO
1X EV-DO, also called 1X-EV Phase One, is an enhancement that puts voice and data on separate channels in order to provide data delivery at 2.4Mbit/s. It was developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), a partnership consisting of five telecomnunications standards bodies. Also known as High Rate Packet Data Air Interface.
cdma2000 1X EV-DV
EV-DV, or 1X-EV Phase Two with promises of data speeds ranging from 3Mbps to 5Mbps. As many as eight proposals have been submitted to standards committee 3GPP2 for the design of EV-DV
cdma2000 3X
CDMA2000 3x is an ITU-approved, IMT-2000 (3G) standard. It is part of what the ITU has termed IMT-2000 CDMA MC. It uses 5 Mhz spectrum (3x 1.25 Mhz channels) to give speeds of around 2-4 Mbps.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This first phase of cdma2000 - variously called 1XRTT, 3G1X, or just plain 1X - is designed to double current voice capacity and support always-on data transmission speeds 10 times faster than typically available today, some 153.6 kbps on both the forward and reverse links.
Handset standby times also increase by up to 50%. Users will also be able to benefit from enterprise and consumer applications requiring more bandwidth, including personal information management, telemetry, corporate intranet access, video conferencing, gaming and music on demand.
The increase in voice and data capacity stems inter alia from advances in modulation algorithms, new IP backbones, and new chipsets that support up to 32 simultaneous users on a single chip, a four-fold increase over the previous generation.
While the cdma2000 specification allows for an evolutionary migration to later advances in cdma2000 that use core IP networks and voice-over-IP, the current 1X migration requires relatively modest hardware and software upgrades to existing cdmaOne infrastructure. Even then, operators can upgrade to 1X without having to implement it throughout their entire cdmaOne network, which means they can upgrade certain hotspots that require voice capacity enhancements or higher data speeds.
The strategy also aims to reduce technological risks by phased enhancements of networks with medium rate data services, and then later evolve to higher rate data services so as to avoid uncertainties of ROI that currently cloud the UMTS 3G vision.
cdma2000 can be deployed in existing spectrums such as 1900MHz along with an existing cdmaOne system, overlaying its new feature set and increased capacity on the existing cdmaOne networks. Most importantly, it uses existing (and paid for) 1.25 MHz spectrum.
Handsets using cdma2000 technology will also be backward compatible to the existing cdmaOne networks, so current handsets and features will operate over next generation networks providing continued access both at home and while roaming. Operators who deploy 3G with 1X will still have roaming with worldwide CDMA operators on their cdmaOne networks. Dual mode handsets that allow TDMA/cdma2000 interoperability may also augment the business case for a move by TDMA operators to cdma2000.
The flexible migration from cdmaOne provides a series of upgrades leading to cdma2000's increased voice capacity and Megabit 3G data rates, allowing each operator to upgrade when its individual market requirements dictate without significantly upgrading infrastructure or purchasing new spectrum.
IMT-2000
In all, these technologies fall under the ITUs generic name of IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunications 2000). But when the ITU tried to unify and standardise 3G technologies, no consensus was reached. There were thus five terrestrial standards developed as part of the IMT-2000 program. Instead, depending on where in the world 3G will be implemented, the 3G standard will be based on CDMA variants cdma2000 or W-CDMA.
CDMA (See our CDMA section)
The new 3G services are almost all flavours of technolgies based on the generic name, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). CDMA is a digital wireless technology that allows multiple users to share radio frequencies at the same time without interfering with each other. A telephone or data call is assigned a unique code that distinguishes it from others and and since the signals hop among different frequencies.
Current 2G services using the original CDMA "IS-95" technology are know as cdmaOne. 3G services will use new high-speed versions of CDMA called W-CDMA, or its competing technology, cdma2000. (More on CDMA)
Current 2G services using the original CDMA "IS-95" technology are know as cdmaOne. 3G services will use new high-speed versions of CDMA called W-CDMA, or its competing technology, cdma2000. (More on CDMA)
3G Overview
:: 3G Defined
3G (Third Generation) is a generic name for a set of mobile technologies set to be launched by the end of 2001 which use a host of high-tech infrastructure networks, handsets, base stations, switches and other equipment to allow mobiles to offer high-speed Internet access, data, video and CD-quality music services.
Data speeds in 3G networks should be show speeds of to up to 2 Megabits per second, an increase on current technology.
:: 2G/2.5G Defined
GSM for example is a 2G technology. It uses TDMA technology, proving data speeds of 9.6kbps/14.4kbps. The packet radio upgrade to GSM, called GPRS, can have speeds of up to 114kbps. GPRS an interim technology towards 3G, and hence is known as 2.5G. GSM might go the same way as the older first generation (1G) NMT and AMPS networks in 8-15 years because of the use of newer and better UMTS technology (More on GSM) ; (More on GPRS)
3G (Third Generation) is a generic name for a set of mobile technologies set to be launched by the end of 2001 which use a host of high-tech infrastructure networks, handsets, base stations, switches and other equipment to allow mobiles to offer high-speed Internet access, data, video and CD-quality music services.
Data speeds in 3G networks should be show speeds of to up to 2 Megabits per second, an increase on current technology.
:: 2G/2.5G Defined
GSM for example is a 2G technology. It uses TDMA technology, proving data speeds of 9.6kbps/14.4kbps. The packet radio upgrade to GSM, called GPRS, can have speeds of up to 114kbps. GPRS an interim technology towards 3G, and hence is known as 2.5G. GSM might go the same way as the older first generation (1G) NMT and AMPS networks in 8-15 years because of the use of newer and better UMTS technology (More on GSM) ; (More on GPRS)
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