3G/mobile broadband industry news from the UMTS Forum
07 December 2009
The UMTS Forum has warned that unnecessary regulatory hurdles are threatening the progress of 3G mobile broadband in India. UMTSF Chairman Jean-Pierre Bienaimé has urged that the entire 2.1 GHz frequency band – currently used by India’s military – should be opened up quickly to allow consumers to benefit from 3G mobile broadband services.
The Symbian Foundation has announced that its mobile operating system powers nine new FOMA 3G smartphones launched by Japan’s NTT DoCoMo. Four of the models are manufactured by Fujitsu and five models by Sharp Corporation. NTT DoCoMo has recently unveiled its line-up of 19 new handsets, nine of which are based on the Symbian platform. Main features of the new smartphones include 12.2-megapixel cameras, luxurious design and the world's first separable two-module body.
Japan’s NEC has teamed up with French operator SFR to deploy its 3G femtocell solution. NEC’s end-to-end femtocell technology includes compact indoor femto access point which can be installed in the customer premises, the femtocell gateway which aggregates and connects several access points to the core network and the management systems for the access point and the gateway. The low-power femto access point creates a dedicated indoors 3G network with enhanced signal for both voice and data services, enabling customers to access higher mobile broadband data rates.
Virgin Media, the UK’s leading MVNO, has launched a new mobile broadband service, which is powered by a 7.2 Mbps HSPA USB modem. The new device will be available as part of a flexible one-month rolling or 18-month contracts, with a choice of 1 GB or 3 GB of data each month for GBP10 and GBP15 respectively for new customers or GBP8 and GBP12 for existing customers. The new service doubles the peak mobile broadband speeds currently offered by the operator.
Vietnamese mobile operator Vinaphone has contracted Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) for a 3G core network upgrade project. NSN will supply its packet core solutions, which enables a cost effective network expansion. The vendor will also modernize Vinaphone’s existing 2G radio access network for its 3G rollout and will implement NetAct, which will manage new network elements to provide a centralized base of network resources and services. The network modernisation will allow Vinaphone to provide mobile broadband services to its 5 million subscribers.
Telefónica and Research In Motion (RIM) have launched the new HSDA-enabled BlackBerry Bold 9700 in Spain. The smartphone, which delivers high-end communications and multimedia features in a compact and refined design, features a next-generation (624 MHz) processor, 256 MB Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, a 3.2MP camera, 2.44” light-sensing display and QWERTY keyboard. The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 is available from Telefónica’s Spanish arm Movistar for €99 on select monthly tariffs.
Japan’s NTT DoCoMo has launched the new docomo SMART series F-03B mobile phone, manufactured by Fujitsu. The slim waterproof mobile phone features a12.2-megapixel camera with the Milbeaut Mobile LSI image-processing solution, developed by Fujitsu and Fujitsu Microelectronics, which functions as an image-processing engine inside the F-03B. The camera also supports face recognition and smile finder functionalities. The 13.9 mm thin device is compatible with NTT DoCoMo’s HSPA network.
SingTel has selected China’s ZTE to carry out LTE trials in the Philippines market. The two companies have also agreed to work on long-term planning for LTE network infrastructure, as well as strategic management of the network. The trial will run for six to nine months and will start in early 2010. The move is aimed at meeting the strong local market needs for mobile broadband network access. ZTE has so far secured 10 LTE contract and/or trials.
Bell Canada has unveiled the MiFi 2372 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot manufactured by Novatel Wireless. The MiFi 2372 operates on Bell's new HSPA network and offers simultaneous WiFi connectivity for up to five devices or users. Compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems, the device delivers peak downlink speeds up to 7.2 Mbps.
Telekom Austria has teamed up with Ericsson to upgrade its mobile networks in eight Central and South Eastern European countries with the vendor’s microwave solution, which enables increased capacity at reduced costs.
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