Mobil Telephone Technologies

Service Band
 Cellular - 800 MHz (2 blocks)
 PCS - 1900 MHz (6 blocks) (called "DCS" in Europe )
 Analog services use 800 MHz in North America and 900 MHz in Europe,
  Asia and Australia.
 1800 MHz range - the 1800 MHz GSM standard is used in Europe.
  This unfortunately means that 1900 MHz phones sold in North America
  can't be used in Europe.
 SMR - Specalized Mobil Radio 800 MHz band between Cellular A and
    B blocks used by NEXTEL and 2-way radio services.
    See Electromagnetic Spectrum
Technology (see Glossary below)
 AMPS Advanced Mobile phone service
 CDMA Code Division Multiple Access 
 TDMA Time Division Multiple Access 
 GSM  Global System for Mobile Communications
 iDEN - Integrated Digital Enhanced Network used by NEXTEL
See Mobil Phone Services and Vendors for specific service provider information.

Cingular (which acquired AT&T Wireless in 2004) and T-Mobile use GSM. Verizon Wireless and Sprint use CDMA. (Nextel uses what amounts to its own proprietary system, developed with Motorola.)

CDMA is the fastest growing. Broadband CDMA developed for the military, uses spread-spectrum technology for greater reliablility. The benefits for the narrower bandwidth used in mobile telephone service are questionable.

Most companies are going to digital service, because it allows more frequencies and requires less power. That is why digital service may be less expensive than analog even though it is newer.

From a technology standpoint, GSM/TDMA interoperability requires the development and installation of a bi-directional interworking node for the network as well as multi-mode, multi-band handsets. The longer-range aim of all this is to introduce "universal intelligent roaming," Bamburak says. He made the comment during a session at the "3G Mobile Broadband" conference here.

The first phase of GSM/TDMA interoperability will be limited to voice roaming. Phase two will involve data services as well. It's scheduled for commercial introduction in April 2001.

The idea is to implement GSM/TDMA across three terminal segments as well as PC cards. Those three terminal segments are "smart" phones, handheld personal organizers and palmtop computers. This implementation will occur as equipment vendors and operators develop EDGE (short for "enhanced data rates for global evolution") as part of the industry push toward 3G services.

US Mobil Phone Service Market

	PCS Wireless
	USA		World
	Sales 2Q '99	% Growth	Installed 3Q '99	% Growth (9 mos)
CDMA	3.8M	18	42	83
TDMA	3.1M	11	30	61
GSM	1.4M	40	220	63

Handsets US Market Share (Sales)
NOK	32%
MOT	22
QCOM	12
Audiovox	10
ERIC	10

Timeline

1978 AT&T/Bell Labs AMPS trial around Chicago using 
1979 88 cell system in Tokyo using  using Matsushita and NEC equipment. 
1983  First commercial mobil  service in the US. 
  800 MHz band divided into A and B Blocks (25 MHz each), one given
  to the local wireline telephone company and one to a competitor.
1985 204K Subscribers in the US
1987 First handheld phone by Ericsson
1982-1985 GSM in Europe
1988 1.6M Subscribers in the US
1993 CDMA adopted by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).
1995 First CDMA mobil phone service.
1994 FCC auctions off first block of frequencies in 1900 MHz (PCS) band.
A & B blocks (30 MHz) in Major Trading Areas (multiple cities)
1995 C block (30 MHz) auctioned in Basic Trading Areas (1 metro area)
1996 D, E & F blocks (10 MHz) auctioned in Basic Trading Areas
2001 123 M Subscribers in the US

Third Generation

3G "mobile broadband/multimedia" services - supports features like Web Access and Video Conferencing.

In Dec. 1999 the International Telecommunications Union's Radiocommunications Sector Task Group adopted specifications for the third generation of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and GSM digital mobile phones. Formal approval of the standard is expected in early May 2000, with commercial 3G services expected in 2001 in some regions. U.S. Cellular doesn't expect to be rolling out 3G services until 2005.

Formed in 2000, 3G.IP member companies are committed to developing a convergent 3G solution revolving around an Internet protocol-based core network. In particular, 3G.IP will concentrate its efforts in the areas of GPRS and EDGE technologies.

3G Evolution

Source: 3G Newsroom

Projected 3G U.S. Market Share
EDGE - 40% - 70%
Cdma2000 - 30% - 50%
WCDMA - 10% -20%Ê
GPRS (2.5G) ?

1850-1865 A
1865-1870 D
1870-1885 B
1885-1890 E
1890-1895 F
1895-1910 C
1910-1930 Unlicensed PCS
1930-1945 A
1945-1950 D
1950-1965 B
1965-1970 D
1970-1975 F
1975-1990 C

Glossary

CDPD:

cellular digital packet data.

AMPS:

Advanced Mobile phone service. The current cellular technology offered by Cantel AT&T and Mobility Canada, AMPS is an analog system that lacks data capabilities, the shortest battery life and the lowest sound quality. (analog or FDMA) Analog Cellular

D-AMPS:

See TDMA

Bluetooth was developed as a flexible 2.4-Ghz radio technology that allows the interconnection of mobile and stationary devices, such as cell phones, PDA`s, web pads, notebooks, PCs, and their connection to the Internet. With an output of 1 mW, Bluetooth attains a transmission rate of 1 MB/s and positions itself as the ideal platform for convenient and economical personal networks as well as for inter-connecting multiple mobile devices. The Bluetooth standard today is already planning a potential increase in performance of up to 100 mW.

CDMA:

Code division multiple access, also known as IS-95. Sprint PCS uses this system, as do Mobility Canada and ClearNET, albeit in incompatible variants. CDMA offers greater capacity than its competitors TDMA or GSM. To consumers, this means potentially lower rates. CDMA also offers slightly better voice quality than TDMA or GSM. CDMA is popular in Hong Kong, South Korea and parts of the US and Canada. Like other digital systems, it offers data capabilities. Digital Cellular or PCS.

CDMA2000

3G technology - Slight variations from W-CDMA, compatible with CDMAoneÊ

DCS:

Digital Cellular System. 1991

EDGE:

enhanced data rates for global evolution

FDMA:

Frequency Division Multiple Access

GSM

Global System for Mobile Communications - 1900 (sometimes called PCS-1900 or DCS-1900) PCS only. The cellular system most common in Europe, supported in at least 109 countries. GSM is technically a variant of TDMA. GSM and CDMA are completely incompatible, unless you have a not-yet-available dual-mode phone. GSM currently has the widest selection of phones, but fewer roaming options than CDMA.

GPRS:

General Packet Radio Service. Sometimes called 2.5G Supports TDMA and GSM

The Electronic Serial Number (ESN)

is a unique, unchangeable 32-bit binary number embedded by the manufacturer that identifies each wireless communications device  except those that use GSM technology which uses an IMEI instead. The ESN and a Mobile Identification Number (MIN) are both automatically transmitted to the wireless network each time the phone is used to verify that it has not been reported lost or stolen and that all subscriber bills are current. See also The International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) is a 15-digit number (composed of four parts) that uniquely identifies an individual wireless phone or communicator. The IMEI appears on the label located on the back of the phone.The IMEI is automatically transmitted by the phone when the network asks for it. A network operator might request the IMEI to determine if a device is in disrepair, stolen or to gather statistics on fraud or faults.

iDEN

- Integrated Digital Enhanced Network. NEXTEL technology using time slots similar to TDMA and GSM

The Mobile Identification Number (MIN)

is a unique 24-bit number assigned by the wireless service provider to each phone it sells or includes in service plans. Unlike an Electronic Serial Number (ESN), a MIN is changeable because wireless phones may change hands or phone owners may move to another coverage region, requiring a different service plan. The MIN and ESN are both automatically transmitted to the wireless network each time the phone is used to verify that the phone has not been reported lost or stolen and that all subscriber bills are current. See also ESN.

MTAs/RSAs Metropolitan Trading Areas (MTA)

are areas of economic integration defined by Rand McNally's Commercial Atlas. The FCC uses the 51 U.S. MTAs as the boundaries for PCS licenses. Each MTA consists of several Basic Trading Areas (BTAs) which are several contiguous counties. The FCC also identified 428 rural U.S. markets or Rural Service Areas. Two service providers are licensed for each RSA. See also FCC.

PCS Personal Communications Service (or System).

Generally, a marketing term used to describe a wide variety of two-way digital wireless service offerings operating at 1900 MHz. PCS services include next generation wireless phone and communication services, wireless local loop, inexpensive walk-around communications service with lightweight, low-powered handsets, in-building cordless voice services for business, in-building wireless LAN service for business, enhanced paging service as well as wireless services integrated with wired networks. A Personal Communications System refers to the hardware and software that provide communications services.

SMR:

Specalized Mobil Radio (800 and 900 MHz bands) - NEXTEL bought most.

SMS:

Short Message Service

SMPP:

Short Message Peer to Peer Protocol

TDMA:

Time Division Multiple Access - Also known as D-AMPS, TDMA has data capabilities and moderate sound quality. It is offered in North America by Cantel AT&T. TDMA isn’t considered a very robust technology compared to the digital alternatives. (IS-136 or Digital-AMPS or D-AMPS or NA-TDMA) Digital Cellular or PCS.

UMTS

Ð Universal mobile telecom system 3G technology Mainly based on w-cdma technology, with adaptations

W-CDMA

Ð Wideband CDMA 3G Replacement for GSM

Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)

announced a software solution that the company said will enable manufacturers of mobile subscriber terminals to implement data applications and services based on the brand-new WAP 1.1 standard. The company expects the Nokia WAP Browser, which it will license to equipment vendors, to gain a good reception. That's because of the solution's ability to be ported and integrated into mobile phones, personal digital assistants and other wireless devices.

# 1xRTT (Single Carrier Radio Transmission Technology)

The first upgrade to CDMA, 1xRTT (2.5G) has speeds averaging from 50 to 70 Kbps. Offered by Verizon Wireless and Sprint.

# 2G (second generation)

A basic digital cellular network for voice and data. Data speeds range from 9.6 to 14.4 Kbps.

# 2.5G

A step above 2G, 2.5G networks offer data speeds from 30 to 100 Kbps.

# 3G (third generation)

New, fast mobile-phone service with data rates of at least 144 Kbps while in motion, and a theoretical maximum of over 2 Mbps from a fixed location.

# CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)

The 2G network used by Verizon and Sprint for voice and data transmission, with data transfer rates of about 14.4 Kbps. CDMA upgrades are (in order) 1xRTT, EV-DO, and EV-DV.

# EDGE (Enhanced Data for Global Evolution)

This 3G network is the second upgrade to GSM and a software upgrade to GPRS. Class 10 EDGE offers up to 236 Kbps. Cingular has converted to EDGE, and T-Mobile is following.

# EV-DO (Evolution Data Only)

The third upgrade to CDMA, 3G EV-DO delivers average speeds of 300 to 500 Kbps, although it promises speeds up to 2.4 Mbps. Offered by Verizon; Sprint will roll out EV-DO later this year.

# EV-DV (Evolution Data and Voice)

The most advanced CDMA upgrade. EV-DV merges voice and data traffic as UMTS does, but improves download speeds to up to 3.1 Mbps. It is not yet available in the U.S.

# Flash-OFDM (Fast Low-latency Access with Seamless Handoff Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)

A 3G technology developed by Flarion that offers high-speed mobile data access. Average speeds are 1.5 Mbps, with bursts up to 3 Mbps.

# GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)

The first upgrade to GSM, this 2.5G network offers data speeds of around 30 to 50 Kbps. Currently almost all GSM networks have GPRS.

# GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)

Used by Cingular, T-Mobile, and most European carriers, the 2G GSM network offers voice calling, but its transfer speed is slow (about 9.6 Kbps). Upgrades include GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, and HSDPA.

# HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access)

The fourth upgrade to GSM and a software improvement on UMTS. HSDPA allows for faster data speedsÑup to 10 Mbps. The implementation Cingular hopes to launch in the U.S. (by year's end), however, will offer 400-to 700-Kbps data rates to start.

# iDEN (Integrated Digital Enhanced Network)

Nextel's unique 2G mobile phone technology, which has no obvious upgrade path. Now that Nextel has merged with Sprint, iDEN will slowly be phased out in favor of CDMA.

# UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)

The third upgrade to GSM. 3G UMTS offers average speeds of 220 to 320 Kbps. It also allows for videophone calls.

Glossaries at: GSM World, DataOnAir, PC Magazine

See also: GSM World,
Mobil Telephone History,

Mobil Phone Software


last updated 22 Nov 2002