News
Issue #2003 - 30 (November 2003)
(Updated Nov. 26, 2003)

INFRASTRUCTURE, PRODUCTS & SERVICES

3G News This Week

1. Europe's First 3G UMTS TD-CDMA Broadband Network
Europe: German communications provider Airdata AG launched commercial services built on IPWireless Mobile Broadband technology in Stuttgart, marking the first commercial deployment in Europe of broadband wireless services based on the data-optimized UMTS TD-CDMA variation of the 3G standard.

After a successful trial deployment, Airdata has started offering new commercial PortableDSL service in Stuttgart.

• With PortableDSL, Airdata AG offers for the first time in Europe a portable way of accessing the Internet that uses the new 3G standards.
• It is now possible to use the Internet wirelessly in almost every part of Stuttgart at ISDN speeds (128 Kbit/s) or DSL speeds (768 Kbit/s).

This is all made possible by the network built by Airdata over the last few months. The network uses the IPWireless Mobile Broadband system, which is based on the TD-CDMA variation of the worldwide IMT-2000 standard, also known as 3G, which allows for both voice and data transmission. The new network allows for connectivity far beyond distances covered by WLAN hotspots, creating instead much larger hotzones,which are comparable in size to mobile phone coverage areas. In addition, the user does not need subscriptions with multiple providers as is the case when moving from hotspot to hotspot today, nor have to pay any additional usage fees that hotspots currently require.

The network leverages the secure 3G standard, so setup for the service is simple: insert the SIM card into the modem, connect the modem to the computer, and enter the user name and password. There is no need to connect to a phone outlet, and there is no additional hardware or software. No larger than a cellular phone, the modem is very small and handy.

In addition to the ease of use PortableDSL offers, the new service is priced very competitively. Customers get an Internet connection that goes anywhere for the same price as a fixed connection, with the benefit of always on, 24-hours-a-day connectivity formerly only available with a DSL connection. Charges include only the Internet flat rate, the monthly connection fee, and the one time charge for the modem and installation. Airdata's partner Next Generation Internet (NGI) offers PortableDSL 128 at a flat rate of only euro 9.95 per month, plus a connection fee of euro14.95 per month. NGI PortableDSL 768 costs euro 19.95 for the Internet flat rate, euro 24..95 for the monthly connection fee.

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: Wireless broadband is becoming an attractive option for wireless internet connection. Apart from its distinct advantage of its ubiquity, it may be a good alternative for wireline or cable connection for consumers as well as businesses where DSL or cable is not available. We see a lot of interest from the investment community as well.

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