3G/mobile broadband industry news from the UMTS Forum
12 February 2010
ZTE will next week unveil three new 3G mobile broadband devices, including an HSPA+ USB data card, netbook and adapter, as well as an LTE-enabled datacard. The MF678 USB data card enables peak downlink speeds of up to 28.8 Mbps, while the V70 Top Speed Netbook with an embedded HSPA+ module enables speeds of up to 21.6 Mbps.
The first test cases required for an LTE device certification scheme have been validated and approved by GCF, the Global Certification Forum. Designed to give operators confidence in the interoperability of LTE devices across different networks, GCF’s Certification scheme will embrace both FDD and TDD versions of LTE.
Telefónica has teamed up with Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to carry out a live demo of LTE technology in a real network environment at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2010. The demo will use LTE radio and core network equipment from NSN in a real-network environment, as well as pre-commercial LTE terminals, showing attractive mobile broadband applications with real mobility, including high-resolution videos and video conferencing.
Swisscom plans to start LTE trails in April this year, with its commercial launch scheduled for 2011 at the earliest. The Swiss telecoms group will commence laboratory tests beginning in April 2010, followed by a field trial. Testing is expected to continue until autumn 2010. Exact timing of the commercial launch of LTE services will depend on results of the field trial.
AT&T has contracted Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson as radio access network equipment vendors for its planned upgrade to LTE. Following field trials of LTE technology later this year, the US operator will begin commercial deployment in 2011. Both Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson are AT&T’s existing 3G WCDMA/HSPA network suppliers. As part of the agreements, 3G equipment delivered to AT&T by the vendors starting this year will be easily convertible to LTE.
NEC will unveil its compact LTE base station at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2010 next week. It will enable operators to deploy LTE services according to capacity demand. It consumes 75% less power compared with NEC's existing W-CDMA product range. The new base station is SON-managed (Self Organizing Network), enabling efficient deployment and operation of LTE at a lower cost.
LG Electronics has introduced a new smartphone enhanced for social networking. The HSPA 7.2-enabled LG GT350 slider features a four-line QWERTY keyboard with a full 3-inch WQVA touchscreen. Its interface is fully integrated with social networks, enabling users to aggregate information from multiple social platforms onto one screen. The LG GT350 will be available in the UK from June and will then launch in other markets around the world. The LG GS290 is also a full touchscreen phone with social networking functionality.
Samsung has launched its new mid-range smartphone, the Monte, in the UK market. It features the TouchWiz 2.0 user interface, built-in Facebook and MySpace applications, Twitter and Bebo widgets, as well as multi-IM functionality. The device is equipped with a GPS receiver supported by Google Latitude, allowing users to share their location with contacts. With its full touch functionality, social network integration and sleek design, Samsung expects that the Monte will appeal to style-conscious consumers..
Chipmaker ST-Ericsson has unveiled a low-cost Android-ready platform that will help device manufacturers produce mass market smartphones with a wholesale price of less than EUR100. The platform is designed to support Linux-based operating systems, such as Android. It is equipped with an HSPA modem capable of delivering downlink speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps. ST-Ericsson anticipates that device vendors will release first commercial products based on the platform in the first half of 2010.
Hungary’s Pannon has announced plans to trial LTE technology in collaboration with ZTE from April this year. Field trials will be carried out in downtown Budapest, as well as south of the capital, and in a town in the countryside, which will be specified at a later stage. Under the contract, ZTE will provide an end-to-end solution, including radio and core infrastructure, as well as end user terminals.
Australia’s Optus has acquired 10MHz of paired 3G spectrum in the 2100MHz band from 3G Investments, a local subsidiary of Qualcomm. Once approved by the regulatory authorities, the purchase will double Optus' 2100MHz paired spectrum capacity in eight capital cities to 20MHz. The move is Optus’ response to growing retail and wholesale customer demand for its range of data services. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Alcatel-Lucent has released a new multi-technology radio module, allowing mobile network operators to support any mix of 2G GSM, 3G W-CDMA/HSPA+ and LTE simultaneously. The module is available for new deployments and it can be installed in more than 700,000 Alcatel-Lucent based stations already deployed worldwide, enabling a gradual shift from GSM to W-CDMA and LTE.
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