3G/mobile broadband industry news from the UMTS Forum
21 August 2009
US mobile operator Verizon Wireless has completed first trials of LTE data calls based on the 3GPP Release 8 standard in Seattle and Boston. As part of trials carried out in cooperation with its network and device vendors, Verizon has demonstrated voice transmission over LTE using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology. The operator plans to launch its LTE network in up to 30 markets in 2010, covering 100 million people, while aiming for full nationwide coverage in 2013.
The US-based service broker solutions provider AppTrigger has unveiled the latest version of its Ignite Service Broker (v. 11), which enables carriers to deploy legacy applications, such as TDM (time-division multiplexing) voice services and SMS (short message service) over LTE. AppTrigger is currently allowing service providers to test drive both the technology and business case benefits of the Ignite Service Broker.
Macedonia’s leading mobile operator Cosmofon has launched a mobile TV service, branded Live TV, which runs on the operator’s WCDMA/HSPA network. The Live TV service is available to all Cosmofon customers with 3G-enabled phones within the operator’s 3G coverage area.
The European Commission (EC) has opened a new €18-million line of investment in research on next-generation mobile networks based on the enhanced version of LTE technology, LTE Advanced. In September 2009, the EC will set out the details with project consortia, including the flagship Artist4G, which unites 4G industry and researchers from Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the UK. The new LTE Advanced research projects will commence in January 2010.
Jordan’s Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) has awarded a 15-year UMTS licence to the country’s leading mobile operator Orange Jordan, for which the company paid JOD50 million (US$70 million). Its parent company France Telecom will provide technological support and expertise, enabling Orange Jordan to launch its WCDMA network within the next six months. The operator will enjoy a one-year exclusivity period.
O2 Ireland has launched a new mobile TV service, branded O2 TV, which is available to customers with HSDPA handsets. The operator is currently offering a free 30-day promotion for customers who sign up before 9 September. Later on, the service will be available to prepaid and postpaid customers for EUR1 for a 24-hour pass. Alternatively, customers can choose between two packages: O2 Lifestyle Pack and Sky Sports & News Pack at a cost of EUR5 and EUR6 respectively for a 30-day pass.
Orange UK has launched Social Life, a new social networking application that aggregates content from sites like Facebook, MySpace and Bebo. Social Life is aimed at mobile users of social networks, enabling them to set up free text message alerts and updates on specific social network activity. The new service is accessible from Orange's mobile internet portal, Orange World. The operator has also launched Orange Widget Player, providing convenient access for users to their favourite content and applications.
Japan’s CDMA2000 1x network operator KDDI has selected Motorola to deploy its LTE network, including RAN/base stations, across the country. KDDI will deploy its LTE network in both 1.5 GHz and 800 MHz frequency bands. The company intends to offer commercial LTE services by December 2012 following a series of trials scheduled to begin in mid-2010.
Japanese vendor NEC has been awarded an LTE contract by the country’s mobile operator KDDI. NEC will develop and produce wireless base stations for KDDI's planned rollout of its LTE network using 800MHz and 1.5GHz LTE bands. KDDI plans to launch commercial LTE services in December 2012, and aims to provide national broadband mobile coverage to 96.5% of Japan by the end of 2014.
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