3G Wireless - Towards Mobile Broadband and Personal Internet

US : A new white paper from the UMTS Forum offers an overview on launches of 3G/UMTS networks, terminals and services. The paper also examines the technology roadmap for 3G/UMTS and its relevance in the context of future mobile systems.

This paper offers an overview of the current status of launches of 3G/UMTS networks, terminals and services, before examining the technology roadmap for 3G/UMTS and its relevance in the context of future mobile systems and services.

Just five years ago, the reality of ‘mobile data’ meant little more to real-world users than sending text messages or struggling to browse share prices and weather reports via a slow connection.

Today, however, customers are experiencing their first real taste of faster, user-friendly multimedia on the move. Notebook computers and PDAs equipped with mobile data cards or wireless network connectivity are a ubiquitous sight in every hotel lobby and airport lounge.

Consumers can send picture messages to their friends’ phones or download the latest games and polyphonic ringtones – and now, with the first wave of 3G/UMTS networks operational in Europe following Japan’s early start, they can view news bulletins, sports highlights and music videos streamed to their mobile handset. unarguable result is increased usage, valuable new revenues from non-voice services and a strengthening of crucial brand-based relationships between mobile network operators and their customers. It would appear, therefore, that in exchange for incurring a significant investment risk– measuring over € 100bn in licensing costs in Europe alone – mobile operators have positioned themselves to capitalise
effectively on the long-term revenue possibilities that 3G/UMTS presents.

From its origins as a purely voice usage proposition for business users, mobile communications has come a long way. But, while the possibilities offered by 3G/UMTS are exciting, it is important to
consider its longer term ramifications in a broader technological and market context.

Download the FREE white paper here