Q and A: 3G
Q&A: 3G
What is Third Generation or 3G?
What types of services are available in 3G UMTS and EDGE?
Are EDGE and UMTS truly worldwide?
Are EDGE and UMTS interoperable?
What features are available from 3G handsets?
What spectrum is used for 3G EDGE and UMTS services?
Where have 3G networks been launched?
What is Third Generation or 3G?
Third generation is the term used for the next generation of mobile communication systems that includes voice and high-speed data. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) set standards and sanctions for their IMT-2000 (3G) standards and approved five terrestrial standards including EDGE and UMTS (WCDMA). These standards require a minimum speed of 144 Kbps in a mobile environment.
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What types of services are available in 3G UMTS and EDGE?
Audio and video on demand, high-speed multimedia, and mobile Internet access are some of the possible services for 3G customers. Additionally, there are enhanced capacity, quality and data rates for operators.
At home: 3G affects us in many ways. We are able to manage our personal information, simplify tasks like shopping and make better use of our time. Examples include using 3G devices to: log onto your bank account for balance checks and bill payments; book hotel and dinner reservations upon arrival in a new city, view video clips of local tourist attractions; and manage your inventory on items that need restocking from your home's 'smart' refrigerator by ordering them and having those items ready for pickup from the local market.
At work: 3G enables increased flexibility in the work environment such as remote access to corporate networks for "home-officing." Examples include using your 3G device to discuss a draft presentation with colleagues back at headquarters while you are traveling and hold a tele-conference meeting while viewing the presentation and making changes online; or download a service video as a guide to repair a problem discovered while conducting a maintenance check. The services and applications for 3G mobility are unlimited and will be driven by customer demand.
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Are EDGE and UMTS truly worldwide?
There are two points to this question. The first point is "What/where is the global uptake of 3G UMTS and EDGE services?" The second point is "Are EDGE and UMTS interoperable?"
First, EDGE and UMTS are the standardized upgrades for, and natural evolution from GSM - the most widely used wireless technology in the world. More than 72 operators representing every major continent have announced their commitment to deploy EDGE, and have launched or are trialing EDGE networks on EDGE-equipped base stations.
UMTS is the leading 3G technology and as of March 2004, there have been nineteen UMTS network launches serving more than three million customers. According to the UMTS Forum, UMTS has been adopted by 98% of operators awarded new 3G licenses thus far and the organization expects dozens of new UMTS deployments in Europe alone by the end of 2004 as a significant majority of European operators anticipate to commercially launch around Q3/Q4. It is projected that UMTS and/or EDGE will represent an estimated 60% of the world's 3G services by the year 2006 [Source: Nokia]. They will likely be the only truly global 3G technologies.
Secondly, EDGE/UMTS devices will provide transparency of service for 3G customers. Thus, worldwide coverage for customers is virtually assured for the GSM 3G evolution through EDGE and UMTS.
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Are EDGE and UMTS interoperable?
Yes, with forward and backward compatibility, EDGE and UMTS will offer customers seamless services throughout the world.
EDGE is an ideal complement for UMTS/WCDMA and numerous operators are utilizing this in their deployment strategy. Both technologies use the same IP-based packet core network, and both are supported by 3GPP. Operating on the same core network ensures seamless interoperability.
For customers and operators, one of the major advantages of the GSM-based evolution path to 3G is the ability to switch between GPRS, EDGE and UMTS/WCDMA networks. This forward and backward compatibility means that customers will always have access to high-speed packet data services. Some examples include:
An operator initially deploys WCDMA only in major cities. When its UMTS customers travel outside of WCDMA coverage, their devices are automatically switched to EDGE or GPRS networks.
An operator deploys WCDMA only in cities and suburbs, while deploying EDGE in rural areas. When WCDMA customers travel to rural areas, their devices automatically switch to EDGE. When EDGE customers travel to cities, their devices will work on the WCDMA networks, so they can continue to use their EDGE-based 3G services.
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What features are available from 3G handsets/devices?
Customers are able to select a 3G device that is appropriate to their needs. Leading vendors such as Nokia, Motorola, Siemens, and Sony Ericsson, are developing a wide variety of EDGE and/or UMTS terminals. A few of the options available are camera, video camera, radio, MP3 player, person-to-person or group multimedia communication, internet access and browsing, integration into corporate IT systems, as well as email and content applications.
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What spectrum is used for 3G EDGE and UMTS services?
EDGE can be deployed in 800, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz bands and complements UMTS technology. Therefore, an operator may deploy EDGE in less populated or rural areas because it offers excellent propagation qualities; the lower the position in the spectrum, the less energy it takes to deliver the signal and the greater distance it will travel. As a narrowband radio technology, EDGE will also allow operators the choice of offering 3G services without purchasing addition spectrum with a 3G license.
Furthermore, UMTS licenses are awarded through auction by the regulatory bodies in each country. According to the UMTS Forum, UMTS has been adopted by 98% of operators awarded new 3G licenses as of April 2004. The UMTS Forum Special Assets Group produced three important reports setting out the Forum's position on key spectrum issues. These reports addressed the overall spectrum requirements for UMTS, spectrum demand per terrestrial operator in the initial phase of deployment and on frequency bands that are being considered internationally as candidates to provide additional spectrum for UMTS/IMT-2000 [UMTS Forum Reports #5, #6 and #7]. These reports significantly influenced the decision-making process within various regulatory bodies across the world. Generally, UMTS may be deployed in the 1900, 2000, 2100, and 2200 spectrum bands.
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Where have 3G networks been launched?
NTT DoCoMo was the first operator globally to deploy UMTS services in Japan in 2001. As of March 2004, there have been nineteen UMTS network launches in Asia and Europe, serving more than three million customers worldwide. The UMTS Forum expects dozens of new UMTS deployments in Europe alone by the end of 2004 as a significant majority of European operators anticipate to commercially launch around Q3/Q4.
Cingular Wireless was the first operator to launch EDGE, in its Indianapolis market on June 30, 2003 and has EDGE networks in ten cities as of March 2004. AT&T Wireless launched EDGE nationwide in the U.S., Bermuda and Puerto Rico in November 2003. Operators in Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Europe have also launched EDGE and operator announcements of EDGE deployments worldwide continue to grow. More than 72 operators worldwide have committed to EDGE on virtually every continent. Combined, these operators represent nearly one quarter of a billion customers in their networks.
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