3G/mobile broadband industry news from the UMTS Forum
09 July 2010
Telstra and Huawei have carried out trials of LTE technology in the 1800 MHz spectrum band in Victoria, ahead of the operator’s planned move to LTE. The 1800 MHz evaluation has included tests of throughput using MIMO antenna configurations, plus evaluation of Inter Cell Interference Coordination and Self Organising Networks. Telstra’s evaluation of the 1800 MHz band for LTE – currently used for 2G services – is expected to complement deployment in the 2.6 GHz and ‘Digital Dividend’ 700 MHz spectrum bands.
LG Electronics (LGE) has unveiled a new family of smart devices under the LG Optimus brand as part of the vendor’s strategy to grow its share of the global smartphone market. The LG Optimus line-up will include smartphones running on popular operating systems and an Android-powered tablet device. The devices, which will range from entry to premium level, will be launched in the second half of 2010.
Japanese semiconductor supplier Renesas Electronics is to acquire Nokia’s wireless modem unit for approx. US$200 million. The deal includes Nokia's wireless modem technologies for LTE, HSPA and GSM standards, as well as certain patents related to the transferred assets. The two companies have also entered into a long-term joint research partnership on future radio technologies. Renesas Electronics has licensed the Nokia modem since 2009, and the two companies have been working together to develop an HSPA+/LTE platform.
Japan’s EMOBILE has soft-launched its mobile broadband network based on Dual Carrier HSPA+ technology supplied by Sweden’s Ericsson. Under the contract, Ericsson is to equip EMOBILE’s network in major metropolitan areas, such as Tokyo, Tokai and Osaka, with Dual Carrier HSPA+ functionality, which enables peak downlink speeds of up to 42 Mbps. Commercial launch is planned by the end of 2010.
Bulgaria’s Mobiltel has upgraded its network with Dual Carrier HSPA+ technology, enabling peak downlink speeds of up to 42 Mbps. The commercial launch of mobile broadband services based on Dual Carrier HSPA+ is planned in Sofia by the end of 2010. The operator will also expand its HSPA+ network, providing data transfer speeds of up to 21 Mbps beyond the capital to Varna, Plovdiv and Burgas by the end of August.
Motorola has unveiled an Android-powered touch screen smartphone, branded the Motorola CHARM, which has been designed with the social networking users in mind. The Motorola CHARM will be the vendor’s first device in the U.S. to feature an enhanced version of the MOTOBLUR user interface built on the Android 2.1 operating system. MOTOBLUR enables a highly customised user experience, which syncs contacts, posts, messages, photos from various social networks and personal emails in easy-to-manage streams.
T-Mobile Czech Republic has expanded its 3G network coverage to Ceske Budejovice, with 3G services available to 95% of residents of the city. Following Prague, Plzen and Brno, Ceske Budejovice is the fourth Czech city covered by the operator’s WCDMA/HSPA network, which enables peak downlink speeds of up to 14.4 Mbps. The upgrade has been carried out in cooperation with Nokia Siemens Networks.
Sagem Wireless has joined forces with ST-Ericsson to develop a multimode platform for the planned launch of commercial multimode LTE/HSPA+ products in 2010. The partners will collaborate on the development of multimode LTE/HSPA+ reference designs, devices and modules. The platform will connect LTE, HSPA+, 3G and GSM networks, supporting the development of a mobile broadband modem to be launched before the end of 2010.
Vodafone Portugal has launched a new mobile data connection sharing device, the Vodafone Sharing Dock, priced at EUR29.90 (US$38). The device enables users to share a 3G connection with up to five Wi-Fi devices. The operator has also introduced a new 3G dongle, the Vodafone Connect Pen K3571, also priced at EUR29.90 in the prepaid version. This represents a 25% reduction in the price of an entry-level mobile broadband device.
Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) has overhauled its mobile broadband price plans, with a freeze on prices, significant increases in data allowances, a universal reduction in excess data charges, as well as a selection of new prepaid, monthly and 12-month postpaid plans. The operator has added the Data Plus Starter pack to Vodafone’s Prepaid mobile range, which includes a free USB modem and a 6 GB of included data with 3-month expiry, for AU$99.
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