3G/mobile broadband industry news from the UMTS Forum
01 October 2010
Qualcomm and Asiaspace WiMAX Sdn Bhd have agreed to jointly explore future deployment of LTE TDD (LTE Time Division Duplex) technology in Malaysia. Asiaspace currently holds a licence for mobile broadband frequencies in the 2.3 GHz band in Malaysia and intends to examine the technological and commercial opportunities presented by LTE TDD. Asiaspace expects to leverage the 3GPP wireless ecosystem serving more than one billion mobile subscribers worldwide.
Research In Motion (RIM) has released details of its first tablet, branded the BlackBerry PlayBook, aimed at both the enterprise and consumer segments. The high-end device is powered by a 1 GHz dual-core processor and the new QNX Neutrino-based BlackBerry Tablet OS that enables web browsing, true multitasking and high performance multimedia. The 7-inch capacitive touchscreen device will be available in the US in early 2011, with rollouts in other international markets beginning in Q2 2011.
Etisalat Sri Lanka Awards Alcatel-Lucent Major Contract to Expand Mobile Capacity and Upgrade Network to All-IP
Etisalat Sri Lanka has selected Alcatel-Lucent to upgrade its GSM/EDGE system and build its 3G HPSA+ wireless all-IP broadband network. Under the multi-million USD contract, Alcatel-Lucent is the sole supplier of an end-to-end solution, including the converged radio access, a new all-IP mobile packet core network supporting 2G, 3G and LTE, an end-to-end IP transport solution and related professional services. In total, the vendor will deploy 480 GSM/EDGE sites and 515 3G HPSA+ for Etisalat Sri Lanka.
US operator MetroPCS has switched on its second LTE network in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area, with the end-to-end LTE/EPC solution provided by Ericsson. As part of the network build, Ericsson has created a custom rapid rollout solution for MetroPCS that allows for substantial reuse of existing infrastructure. Ericsson's full end-to-end LTE solution for MetroPCS includes RBS 6000 base station, IP-RAN solution and Evolved Packet Core, as well as network services.
South African operator Cell C has expanded its HSPA+ 900 MHz network to East London, the third city connected to its high-speed mobile broadband network. So far, around 81% of the city’s population has been covered. The second phase of the rollout, which will be completed by the end of 2010, will see HSPA+ coverage expand to 100% of the population in the city and surrounding areas. Average downlink data speed reach between 4 and 7 Mbps in East London, with many locations in excess of 10 Mbps.
Nokia has begun shipments of its high-end N8 entertainment smartphone. Based on the new Symbian^3 operating software, the flagship device is designed to enable a more intuitive user experience. The N8 features a 12-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and HD video, a glass 3.5" AMOLED display. It supports multitasking and file-sharing. The smartphone comes pre-loaded with WebTV apps and free Ovi Maps walk & drive navigation for more than 70 countries. The N8, the first of Nokia's new Symbian smartphone range, has received the highest level of consumer pre-orders in Nokia history.
Vodafone is continuing rollout of its 3G network in the Czech Republic, aiming to cover 60 cities, including all the regional capitals, by the end of 2010. This will expand its 3G coverage to more than 30% of the population by the end of 2010. Currently, the operator combines its 3G services with access to MobilKom's CDMA data network.
Eleven new members have joined the ng Connect Program, founded by Alcatel-Lucent, more than tripling membership in 18 months. The new members bring expertise from a range of sectors, including machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, advertising, retail, internet security, media, entertainment, text-to-speech, and mobile voice technology. With a total of 47 members, ng Connect continues its cross-industry efforts to collaboratively develop new services, devices and business models for emerging LTE networks.
Samsung plans to release several Windows Phone 7 devices in Europe, the US, and Asia. The addition of Windows Phone 7 devices to Samsung’s handset line-up is part of its strategy to boost its position in the smartphone market and offer a range of devices across a variety of platforms. The devices based on Windows Phone 7, Microsoft’s revamped version of Windows Mobile, will benefit from its software portfolio, including Xbox LIVE, Office, Zune, Windows Live and Bing.
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