News
Issue #2002 - 42 (November 2002)
(Updated Nov. 5, 2002)

INFRASTRUCTURE, PRODUCTS & SERVICES

3G Infrastructure News - source: http://www.3g.co.uk

1) New WCDMA 3G Network Order For Nokia in Taiwan

Nokia has won a 400 million euro deal as turnkey supplier of CHT's 3G network in Taiwan. Deliveries begin during fourth quarter 2002 with Nokia providing both 3G core and radio-access network equipment for the smooth roll-out and introduction of CHT's nationwide W-CDMA network. http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/October2002/4329.htm

2) Monet Announces Launch of 3G in U.S.

Marking another milestone in the deployment of third-generation (3G) services, the CDMA Development Group reported that CDMA2000 1xEV-DO is now commercially available in the United States. See our news item on this announcement. 

3) KTF of South Korea Blazes Trail into 3G Future 

At a time when other parts of the world are still waiting to begin third-generation (3G) mobile telephone services because of its high infrastructure costs and technical glitches, South Korea has emerged as the world's hottest 3G market. 

4) PacketVideo Licenses Its MPEG-4-Based Wireless Software to Qualcomm

PacketVideo Corp and QUALCOMM announced an agreement to license portions of PacketVideo's pvPlayer(TM) software for inclusion in QUALCOMM's streaming video solution.

http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/October2002/4315.htm

5) TDMA to CDMA2000 3G Migration
The 2002 CDMA Americas Congress will feature a  pre-conference workshop titled "Migrating From TDMA to CDMA2000: Hands-On Experience" on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2002, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego. Attendees will hear case studies from operators and infrastructure providers who have migrated a network from TDMA to CDMA2000. Key topics to be explored will include the economic and technical reasons for selecting CDMA2000, issues encountered during the transition and future plans for both voice and data services.

http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/October2002/4314.htm

6) New Interface for 3G / GPRS Developers

Adax and Hughes Software Systems (HSS) have announced a pre-integrated solution that is crucial to infrastructure developers who are under pressure to roll out new GPRS/UMTS networks, services and provide revenue streams. 

http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/October2002/4313.htm

7) European MMS Wireless Handset - Five New U.S.-Specific Mobile Phones 

Siemens mobile in New York today launched five new U.S. specific mobile phones, ranging from the voice-centric A56 and dynamic M46 with personalization options, to the entertainment-rich CT56 and C56, through to the S56 with color display, Multi Media Messaging (MMS) capability and attachable camera.

http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/October2002/4275.htm

8.) 3G Comes Indoors

Centurion Wireless Technologies announced the availability of the UMTS Microsphere(TM) antenna to provide wireless connectivity for Next Generation (3G) voice and multimedia applications in buildings. 

http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/October2002/4273.htm

9. Qualcomm Forecasts Growth in 3G CDMA2000 Chips

QUALCOMM Incorporated updated its outlook for strong chip demand  (15 million) in the fourth fiscal quarter (ending September 30, 2002). 

http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/Sept2002/4116.htm

10. Ericsson Develops Mobile Phone That interoperates On Current and 3G Networks 

Ericsson has developed a mobile phone handset that can switch between new third-generation networks and existing networks without dropping calls, solving a potential problem for operators pioneering advanced 3G services.

http://afr.com/it/2002/09/25/FFXJFHDPG6D.html

11. China's Datang and Germany's Siemens Develop New Standard for 3G - TD-SCDMA

According to China People's Daily, The Chinese Government has opted to give concrete technical support to domestically developed third generation (3G) mobile communication technology, China's Datang Telecom and German telecom giant Siemens are expected to benefit. According to Zhou Huan, president of Datang, the government has allocated broader spectrum resources for TD-SCDMA (time division synchronous code division multiple access), a 3G technology developed by Datang, rather than for those developed by European and American companies.

Siemens has invested over 200 million euros in TD-SCDMA over the last few years. It will invest another 50 million euros into the development of TD-SCDMA.

Zhang said with the adoption of the domestically invented technology, China will no longer pay billions of dollars in licensing fees to overseas core technology owners. But the reality Datang and Siemens has to face is, TD-SCDMA is a relatively younger technology that has no commercialized network equipment or mobile terminals. This was echoed by Johan Lodenius, senior vice- president of Qualcomm, the core patent owner of CDMA2000, who said one of the major obstacles facing TD-SCDMA is that there is still no TD-SCDMA chips for mobile phones. "There could be years before TD-SCDMA's real commercial use," he said.

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: These news items from Europe demonstrate that 2.5G to 3G infrastructure is making progress in a number of ways, especially in China, Korea and Asia. We are not there yet in Europe and to even lesser extent in North America. There are a lot of hurdles still but progress is being made on all fronts. Patience is recommended. Enterprises can still start pilots and controlled implementations. If you wait, it may be too late. 

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of Securities Exchange act of 1934 in USA. Similar provisions exist in other countries. There is no assurance that the stipulated plans of vendors will be implemented. MobileInfo does not warrant the authenticity of the information. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.  All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners.