3G/mobile broadband industry news from the UMTS Forum
30 July 2010
NTT DOCOMO has unveiled the brand name for its planned LTE network which is scheduled to launch in December 2010. The brand name is written Xi™ and reads “crossy”, with the “x” denoting “connection” and “infinite possibility”, while “i” stands for “individual user” and “innovation”. DOCOMO’s Xi LTE service will offer peak downlink speeds of up to 75 Mbps, approximately 10 times faster than the company’s current FOMA 3G service. Initially, Xi will be available in the Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka areas, but in time coverage will expand to more major cities and other areas..
MTS Launches First Commercial LTE Network in CIS
Russia’s Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) has launched its LTE network in Uzbekistan, using the 2.5-2.7 GHz frequency band, with the network equipment provided by China’s Huawei. The LTE services are currently available in the central part of Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. In the future, MTS plans to expand LTE coverage in other regions. The company expects that its advanced mobile broadband network is a key driver for growth, particularly in a region like Uzbekistan with relatively low-fixed line broadband penetration.
The UK’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has launched a new programme designed to improve mobile broadband infrastructure. The government has instructed OFCOM to co-ordinate a combined auction of 2.6 GHz and 800 MHz spectrum as soon as possible, paving the way for LTE services in the UK. The plans are also for liberalising 2G spectrum at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, allowing operators to re-farm these frequencies for 3G technologies and expand mobile broadband coverage and network capacity.
LG U+, the South Korean mobile operator that plans to deploy its LTE network from next year, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft to develop a cloud services platform. Under terms of the alliance, LG U+ will leverage Microsoft’s innovative software and cloud offerings to enable a connected digital lifestyle and work style for its subscribers.
Bouygues Telecom has selected Alcatel-Lucent IP/MPLS-based mobile backhaul solution to flexibly support an anticipated surge in smartphone data usage. Alcatel-Lucent’s technology will enable the French operator to upgrade its Radio Access Network to a flatter IP/Ethernet network while increasing its bandwidth capacity to support new services. The move is part of Bouygues Telecom’s strategy to evolve a smarter, more converged, cost-effective mobile transport network infrastructure.
Spain’s Telefónica has agreed with Portugal Telecom to purchase 50% of Brasilcel held by the Portuguese operator for EUR7.5 billion. Brasilcel is the Dutch holding company, which controls 60% of Vivo, Brazil’s largest mobile operator. Telefónica already owns the remaining 50% of Brasilcel. The deal will enable Telefónica to merge Vivo with its Brazilian fixed-line operations Telesp. Vivo operates its HSPA network in Brazil and has more than 50 million customers.
Singapore’s StarHub is deploying Huawei’s smartphone signalling solution on its HSPA+ network. The technology is capable of optimising StarHub's smartphone mobile data service by reducing 56% of the redundant signalling loads, as well as significantly improving smartphone performance and mobile broadband connectivity. The system, which will be implemented nationwide by the end of 2010, will help StarHub to manage the increasing volume of HSPA 3G data traffic on its network and to deliver an improved mobile broadband experience.
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