3G/mobile broadband industry news from the UMTS Forum
06 September 2010
Fujitsu has unveiled its new mini tablet PC, the LIFEBOOK T580, which combines touch screen mobility with the convenience of a keyboard. With a 10.1-inch screen, the device features more processor power, a keyboard, two USB slots, SD card and SmartCard readers, a webcam, and outputs for both VGA monitors and high-definition HDMI displays. The LIFEBOOK T580, which comes with optional embedded 3G/UMTS (combined with GPS), converts from a notebook to a touch screen tablet PC with a simple twist of the unique bi-directional rotatable screen.
Samsung has launched its first tablet, the Samsung GALAXY Tab, exclusively with Vodafone. Powered by Android Operating System 2.2, the GALAXY Tab enables full web browsing with flash 10.1 support, on the large enough 7-inch display. The device provides 3G connectivity with HSDPA 7.2 Mbps in the downlink and HSUPA 5.76 Mbps in the uplink in the 900, 1900 and 2100 MHz bands. The GALAXY Tab will be available in October in the majority of Vodafone’s European markets and through several partner networks, as well as in a number of other Vodafone markets worldwide.
Orange has commercially launched mobile High Definition (HD) Voice, becoming the UK’s first network to use the HD voice technology. It improves the sound quality of traditional mobile voice calls by reducing background noise and other disturbances often heard on a normal mobile call. Orange HD Voice is available at no extra cost to all Orange mobile customers who take a HD Voice enabled handset (the Nokia 5230, Nokia X6, Nokia E5 and Samsung Omnia Pro).
Intel to Acquire Infineon's Wireless Solutions Business
Intel has acquired the wireless division of the German semiconductor manufacturer, Infineon Technologies for US$1.4 billion. The acquisition of Infineon’s Wireless Solutions (WLS) signals Intel’s strategy to enter the high-growth wireless baseband chip market for the smartphones. It will enable Intel to expand its wireless broadband product portfolio to cover not only Wi-Fi and WiMax, but also 3G and LTE, bringing internet connectivity to all computing device segments and beyond the consumer electronics sector.
Sierra Wireless has become a device supplier for Telstra’s rollout of its Dual Carrier HSPA+ network in Australia. The Sierra Wireless AirCard 312U wireless USB modem is now commercially available from the Australian operator under the Telstra Ultimate USB modem brandname. The device currently enables real-world download speeds up to 20 Mbps in enabled coverage areas.
Russia’s WiMAX operator Yota has launched its first LTE network in Kazan, capital city of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan. The new network supports downlink speeds of up to 100 Mbps achieved in the lab tests. The move will enable Yota to provide new mobile broadband services, such as live 3D-video conferencing and full HD video streaming. Yota has invested US$20 million in building the Kazan network, which covers the city’s whole population of over one million people with 147 base stations.
Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN), Nokia and Telefónica have created the Smartphone Experience Lab, which is based in Telefónica‘s premises in Madrid, in an effort to transform mobile networks to cope with the explosion in smart devices.
Germany’s Federal Network Agency has finalised the allotment of the frequency blocks in the 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands following the auction in May 2010 on an abstract basis. Following the allotment proceedings for the Digital Dividend, Telefónica O2 Germany now has the first two blocks in the 800 MHz band. The two middle blocks have been allotted to Vodafone, with both upper blocks in the 800 MHz band going to Telekom Deutschland. The frequency blocks in the 800 MHz band are subject to a rollout obligation to cover underserved areas with broadband (so-called white spots).
South Korea’s SK Telecom Mobile has started the deployment of Alcatel-Lucent’s packet optical backhaul solution in an effort to upgrade its mobile broadband data network. Alcatel-Lucent’s mobile backhaul solution will help SK Telecom to increase its network capacity for the delivery of its expanded WiFi and WiBro services. It will also support the operator’s WCDMA/HSPA traffic and future LTE services.
Samsung has introduced the Wave 723, its newest mid-range smartphone powered by the open platform, Samsung bada. The Wave 723 features the 3.2-inch TFT-LCD display, Wi-Fi, and a 5MP camera with LED flash. It supports HSDPA 3.6 Mbps connectivity. The Social Hub allows users to store all contacts from their email, Facebook and phonebook to one central address book. The device will be available across Europe from September, and in the UK in the final quarter of this year.
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