Voice Capacity Enhancements for GSM Evolution to UMTS

Peter Rysavy
July 18, 2002

Voice Capacity Enhancements for GSM Evolution to UTMS is a white paper written by independent expert Peter Rysavy of Rysavy Research, for 3G Americas, that clarifies information on GSM voice capacity as a key ingredient for TDMA operators in their GSM evolution path to 3G, especially as the efficient use of spectrum remains critical to the Americas region.

Rysavy Research utilized numerous internal and external sources including vendors and operators to compile a composite view of GSM voice capacity, thus the conclusions in this white paper are well supported throughout the industry.

The paper includes research covering the many enhancements available, both now and in the future, that will boost GSM capacity, such as frequency hopping, advanced radio planning, and new voice compression methods.

Conclusions of the paper indicate that with GSM innovations:

• GSM maximizes capacity to sixteen times first generation analog wireless service (AMPS) using the new Adaptive Multi-rate Codec (AMR)
• GSM today has almost double the capacity of TDMA - and with AMR the gains will quadruple
• GSM voice capacity is equal to, or better than, CDMA2000
• Single Antenna Interference Cancellation (SAIC), still in development, will provide an additional increase of 60-100% in voice capacity, making GSM the most spectrally efficient technology for speech services
• Beyond GSM, UMTS provides additional capacity, quality-of-service mechanisms, and flexibility in managing resources between voice and data services

White Paper Contents:

Overview
Voice Capacity Definition and History
GSM Spectral Efficiency Solutions
Technology Comparisons
GSM Evolution to EDGE and UMTS
Summary and Conclusions
References

Read or download the entire paper (in PDF format; 573 KB)

Download PowerPoint presentation from Opening Channels GSM Voice Capacity Demystified Webcast

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