3G/mobile broadband industry news from the UMTS Forum
03 December 2010
Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) has scaled up Tele2’s network in Sweden, using its Evolved Packet Core (EPC) solution to create a common core network for GSM, 3G and LTE. The introduction of ECP supports mobile data offerings, as well as traditional circuit switched voice telephony and IP telephony services. In addition to EPC, NSN has deployed its Subscriber Data Management and Subscriber Repository platforms based on the One-NDS solution, also including HSS (Home Subscriber Server) and EIR (Equipment Identity Register) functionality to consolidate subscriber data.
Verizon Wireless plans to launch its LTE network in 700 MHz spectrum in 38 major metropolitan areas on 5 December, covering more than 110 million Americans. Laptop users will be the first to take advantage of the LTE network, with average downlink speeds of up to 5-12 Mbps and average uplink speeds of 2-5 Mbps – around 10 times faster than the company’s 3G network. Verizon Wireless will offer two LTE-enabled USB modems: the LG VL600 and the Pantech UML290. Both devices will retail at US$99.99 on a two-year contract. Two data plans will be available: a 5 GB monthly data allowance for US$50 or a 10 GB monthly data allowance for US$80.
US operator MetroPCS has expanded its LTE network to the San Francisco metropolitan area. The contract-free unlimited LTE service is available on the LTE-enabled Samsung Craft smartphone on a pay-as-you-go basis, starting from US$55 per month for unlimited voice, text and data services. The Samsung Craft retails at US$299, plus tax. MetroPCS has so far launched LTE services in Las Vegas, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
Telefónica Móviles Argentina has commissioned Japan’s NEC Corporation for the first AWS (Advanced Wireless Spectrum) field trial in Latin America. The trials are being held between November and mid-December in Buenos Aires. NEC will provide a total LTE system, including terminals, base stations and core networks, and will also run mobility testing, such as throughput measurement from a fixed point, handover between networks and latency test.
TeliaSonera has launched its LTE network in Finland, representing its fourth market after Sweden, Norway and Uzbekistan. Following a six-month LTE pilot trial, the commercial LTE service has launched in Turku, as well as in the business centre area north of Helsinki. The LTE network operates in the 2.6 GHz frequency band. TeliaSonera is also focused on deploying LTE technology in the 1.8 GHz frequency, and will expand the LTE services significantly in Helsinki as soon as devices are available for both frequencies.
ZTE Blade on T-Mobile Network is First Branded Smartphone in Hungary
Chinese vendor ZTE has launched its first branded handset for the Hungarian market in co-operation with T-Mobile Hungary. The entry-level smartphone, branded the ZTE Blade, is a dual-band GSM/WCDMA handset that runs the Android operating system. The touchscreen device features a 3.5-inch TFT display. It is powered by a Qualcomm processor and offers 512 MB RAM. It also contains a built-in GPS receiver, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus and expandable microSD-card memory.
T-Mobile Czech Republic has expanded its 3G network to 35 towns and cities. Coverage has been rolled out to new areas, including Mlada Boleslav, Trinec, Ceska Lipa, Dobris and Stary Plzenec, while being improved in Prague, Brno, Ostrava and Plzen. New and existing customers can sample the new service free of charge. Contract customers are eligible for a one-month free trial, while prepaid users can opt for a two-week trial free of charge.
Reliance Industries and Ericsson have successfully trialled LTE-TDD services in India, using the 2.3 GHz band. Field trialshave achieved peak downlink rates of 80 Mbps and 20 Mbps in the uplink. The development has strengthened Reliance Industries’ confidence in the timely availability of LTE eco-system in India. The ecosystem capabilities were also showcased using ST-Ericsson dongles connected over the air to the base station.
Wireless Broadband Business Services, one of Qualcomm’s Indian LTE ventures, and Ericsson have demonstrated LTE-TDD mobility at 2.3 GHz in an outdoor environment in India. The demonstration streamed multiple HD video feeds to a mobile van in the Gurgaon area, showing hand-off between base stations while maintaining session continuity.
Vodafone has cut its mobile data roaming charges for customers travelling in Europe by 60%. The price reduction will enable the operator’s 35 million subscribers to benefit from data roaming services in Europe priced at the same level as in their domestic markets. Vodafone is offering two options: for a charge of EUR2 per day customers can use their domestic data plan abroad, or select a monthly price plan which includes data roaming. The new lower charges will be rolled out across the operator’s European markets during November and December 2010.
Slovenian mobile operator Tusmobil has selected Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to upgrade its 3G network with HSPA+ technology, enabling peak downlink rates of up to 21 Mbps. Under the three-year contract, NSN will implement an all-IP HSPA+ network in the 900 MHz band, using its Flexi Multiradio Base Station, FlexiPacket Microwave and complete IP-backhaul platform, running IPv6 and Direct Tunnel technology. The vendor will also provide network implementation services, including construction and care services for the operator, plus network optimisation and management services based on its NetAct system.
Switzerland’s Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) has announced plans to auction mobile broadband radio frequencies before the mid-2011. The spectrum that will be put to tender includes GSM and UMTS frequencies, for which licences expire on 31 December 2013 and 31 December 2016 respectively. In addition, ComCom will auction digital dividend spectrum in the 800 MHz range. The usage period for the new licences will be extended up to the end of 2028. Existing and new mobile radio operators have an opportunity to purchase the frequency packages required for long-term network operation.
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