3G/mobile broadband industry news from the UMTS Forum
15 October 2010
Microsoft has joined forces with 13 mobile operators in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific to launch the first smartphones based on its new Windows Phone 7 operating system (OS). Initially, Windows Phone 7 devices will be available from manufacturers Dell, HTC, LG and Samsung. The new OS features Live Tiles with live updates to the home screen, mobile games over Microsoft's Xbox Live platform, the Zune music service, Bing search engine and Windows Live. Over 60 operators are committed to launch the Windows Phones in 30 countries.
Nokia has unveiled its second Symbian^3 smartphone, the Nokia C7. With a design that features stainless steel and glass, the Nokia C7 features a full-touch 3.5-inch AMOLED display. The HSDPA 10.2 Mbps handset is ideal for networking, with updates from Facebook and Twitter fed directly to the home screen, as well as one-touch access to many popular email accounts including Ovi Mail, Yahoo! Mail and Windows Live Hotmail. The Nokia C7 will retail at EUR335 before applicable taxes or subsidies.
The Global Certification Forum (GCF) has launched a streamlined certification process for new categories of connected products with GCF-certified embedded 3GPP wireless modules. The plan covers a variety of connected devices, ranging from laptops and netbooks to smart meters, automotive and health applications, as well as enterprise and consumer electronic products, where wireless communications is the secondary function. The new scheme can be employed by GCF Manufacturer Members to certify qualifying devices.
Broadcom has acquired mobile broadband solutions provider Beceem Communications to boost its LTE/WiMAX capabilities. Beceem owns the industry's first next-generation multimode platform that can support both LTE and WiMAX networks. Supporting peak broadband download speeds of up to 200 Mbps, the technology enables truly mobile broadband connectivity for smartphones, mobile computing, consumer electronics products and wireless gateways. The acquisition will allow Broadcom to target a widening ecosystem of equipment providers and operators.
Samsung has expanded its high-end bada handset range with the addition of the Samsung WAVE II (S8530) smartphone. The HSPA 7.2 Mbps device is designed to create an enhanced user experience with extensive multimedia entertainment and integrated messaging. It features a 3.7-inch Super Clear LCD screen and 5-megapixel camera, as well as QuickType by t9 Trace that offers a faster, easier alternative to standard text inputting. The Samsung Wave II will be available in the UK from December 2010.
India's Vodafone Essar has contracted Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to deliver and manage about 70% of its 3G network. Ericsson will deploy its equipment in India’s largest metropolitan circles (Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata), while NSN will build 3G network in six circles (Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, East Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal). Ericsson will provide the RAN system, network rollout services, spare parts and training services, along with the 3G common core platform. In addition to radio and core network technology, NSN will provide network planning and project management services to enable 3G network implementation, and will operate the 3G network for three years under a managed services contract.
ZTE has launched a touchscreen tablet PC, branded the ZTE Light. Powered by the Android 2.1 OS, the device supports voice calling on dual-band UMTS 2100 MHz/900 MHz and internet access on HSPA networks with peak downlink rates of up to 7.2 Mbps. It features a 7-inch TFT touchscreen, 512 MB RAM, GPS navigation, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 3-megapixel camera, music and video player with MP4 support. The ZTE Light supports various Google Services, multi-email account setup, desktop widgets and online document reading and editing features.
Having completed a three-year long network upgrade, Three has added 4,900 sites to its UK 3G network in response to the smartphone and dongle boom. The expansion has seen its network grow from 7,500 to 12,400 base stations, allowing the operator to bring 3G coverage to rural areas and add capacity to its system in the cities. Three’s 3G population coverage across the UK is now close to 97%. Equipment consolidation, including site sharing with other providers, has resulted in a net reduction in active masts across the country.
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