3G/mobile broadband industry news from the UMTS Forum
29 January 2010
The UMTS Forum (www.umts-forum.org) confirms that subscriptions to 3G/UMTS networks have reached 500 million. The milestone comes just over eight years after the world’s first commercial 3G/WCDMA network was launched by Japanese operator NTT DOCOMO.
3 UK has activated its 10,000th 3G site this week as part of its 3G network capacity expansion plan. The 10,000th site was connected in Shooters Hill, South-East London, bringing 3 UK’s population coverage to nearly 93%. The operator expects to add 3,000 new sites this year, expanding its 3G network to around 13,000. 3UK remains committed to bring mobile broadband to new communities and boosting coverage to existing customers in urban areas.
Apple has unveiled the iPad, its new internet tablet and multimedia device. Measuring 9.56 x 7.47 x 0.5 inches and weighing 1.5 pounds, the iPad features responsive high-resolution Multi-Touch 9.7-inch display. It is equipped with 12 new innovative applications designed especially for the device, and will run almost all of the over 140,000 apps in the App Store. iPad comes in two versions—one with Wi-Fi only and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G. The 3G version supports speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSDPA networks. The iPad will be available in late March starting at US$499.
SwissQual, an independent Swiss network quality measurement company, has conducted a drive test on TeliaSonera’s recently launched commercial LTE network, achieving downlink speed of up to 47 Mbps with TCP latency at 20ms. The results are approximately 5 times faster than the typical performance of HSPA+ networks. The measurement tests were carried out using the Samsung Kalmia LTE-enabled modem mounted in the SwissQual Diversity Optimizer platform.
ZTE has signed a US$378-million network supply and managed services agreement with South Africa’s Cell C and its controlling shareholder Oger Telecom. Under the contract, ZTE will supply GSM/UMTS network equipment and operations services to Cell C worth US$378 million. The agreements specify product sales and engineering services in relation to ZTE's daily operations.
Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) and LG Electronics (LG) have completed first LTE data call at maximum downlink rate of 100 Mbps using a Class 3 USB wireless modem. The call was made using NSN’s LTE radio equipment, along with a pre-commercial LTE USB modem from LG, utilising the 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz frequency bands. The Class 3 terminals are expected to be the first commercial LTE terminals to be launched later in 2010. The trial was part of extended interoperability tests conducted together by NSN and LG.
Alcatel-Lucent has secured a EUR22-million (US$30.7 million) contract with Togo Cellulaire to extend the operator’s GSM network capacity and to build the first 3G wireless broadband network in Togo. Under the deal, Alcatel-Lucent will provide a full end-to-end turnkey solution including its converged radio access network (RAN) and transport solution while smoothly introducing its 3G/HSPA technologies, as well as network planning, radio design and operation and maintenance optimization. The new WCDMA/HSPA network will be deployed by the end of 2010, enabling Togo Cellulaire to offer advanced mobile broadband services to its over 2.2 million subscriber base.
Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile Germany and Huawei have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop and market next-generation M2M (machine-to-machine) solutions. The partners will develop an array of high-performance standard products, as well as tailored solutions, compatible with T-Mobile’s German mobile broadband WCDMA/HSPA network. Under the terms of the agreement, the partners will jointly acquire pilot customers for strategic projects, and will identify and quickly develop new customer segments for M2M solutions. In addition, they will develop joint offers as well as distribution and business models.
Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) and LG Electronics (LG) have completed first LTE data call at maximum downlink rate of 100 Mbps using a Class 3 USB wireless modem. The call was made using NSN’s LTE radio equipment, along with a pre-commercial LTE USB modem from LG, utilising the 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz frequency bands. The Class 3 terminals are expected to be the first commercial LTE terminals to be launched later in 2010. The trial was part of extended interoperability tests conducted together by NSN and LG.
Mongolia’s Mobicom has contracted Alcatel-Lucent to upgrade its network to 3G WCDMA/HSPA technology. The Franco-American vendor will supply its advanced converged radio access network (RAN) portfolio, enabling Mobicom to sustain a rapid increase of voice and data traffic. Alcatel-Lucent’s solution also includes WCMDA/HSPA base stations (eNode Bs), radio network controller, network management system, network installation and testing. It will enable Mobicom to extend its network capacity and coverage and meet the growing demand for new broadband data services in Mongolia, as well as smoothly transform its system to LTE.
Singapore’s M1 has selected Huawei to provide an ATCA (Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture) platform based on IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) technology. Huawei’s IMS solution will allow M1 to build its FMC (fixed and mobile convergence) capabilities and deliver new rich multimedia services (VoIP, IPTV, Centrex and HD video conferencing) aimed at its mobile and fixed customers. The development signals M1’s transformation from a mobile operator to a converged fixed and mobile service provider.
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