Updated overview of the Dual Transfer Mode (DTM) feature standardized by 3GPP that enables simultaneous voice and data communications using GSM/GPRS/EDGE devices. Includes description of the DTM feature, operator and user benefits, user cases, network implementations, DTM-capable user devices launched in the market, chipsets and test systems

Report: US 700 MHz Spectrum and Auction 73 Results, with Conclusions and Observations

This comprehensive report follows the auction in the US by the FCC of spectrum in the 700 MHz band. The 700 MHz band becomes available as a result of the impending transition to digital TV.

The Auction lasted for 38 days and 261 rounds, raising revenues of USD 19.1 billion (excluding D block), which is almost twice the amount that Congress budgeted. 700 MHz is a global band as defined at WRC 2007, which is suitable for wireless broadband multimedia services and allows global roaming, interoperable applications and economies of scale.

The report was prepared for GSA by Mark Racek, Office of Public Affairs and Regulations, Ericsson Inc., and summarizes the background to the sale, what spectrum was offered, license rules and requirements, the detailed Auction results, and provides key conclusions and observations.

GSA is a Market Representation Partner of 3GPP and a member of its PCG (Project Co-ordination Group)

This short report covers the following:

* Market snapshot, statistics
* WCDMA-HSPA mobile broadband success
* LTE
* How GSA is promoting 3GPP systems

The report was presented on behalf of GSA by Mr Jonas Sundborg at 3GPP PCG meeting #20, Juan les Pins, France (April 22, 2008)

3GPP website: www.3gpp.org

A short update of the business drivers, objectives and targets for LTE - Long Term Evolution and SAE - System Architecture Evolution, being standardized in 3GPP for commercial deployments worldwide beginning in the 2009-2010 timeframe, including operator commitments and deployment/launch plans, device roadmaps, agreement on licensing IPR, trials and demonstrations results, and plans for further evolution of LTE for consideration for IMT-Advanced.

Updated April 17, 2008

Chart: Radio Access Evolution GSM to LTE
http://www.gsacom.com//downloads/charts/3G_GSM_to_LTE_roadmap.php4

Chart (updated): Evolution of Mobile Systems to 3G
http://www.gsacom.com//downloads/charts/Evolution_of_mobile_systems_to_3G.php4

This paper provides an overview of the momentum towards introducing 3G/WCDMA-HSPA systems in the 900 MHz band, including benefits of deployment in the 900 MHz band, the regulatory position concerning re-farming of 900 MHz spectrum, status of technical standards, UMTS 900 service launches, other network deployment activities and trials worldwide, and UMTS 900 user devices availability

Evolution of data throughput is a key trend. By February 1, 2008 125 HSDPA network operators had commercially launched or were deploying 3.6 Mbps peak or higher downlink data rate capability. 52 network operators had committed to HSUPA.

This paper provides an overview of current network capabilities and the evolution path, including EDGE Evolution and Evolved HSPA.

The LTE radio access and the core network specifications have been specified by 3GPP as the next step in the 3G evolution. LTE is described in a separate Information Paper "Long Term Evolution of the 3GPP Radio Technology" which can be downloaded at http://www.gsacom.com/cgi/redir.pl5?url=http://www.gsacom.com/downloads/pdf/lte_3gpp.php4

WCDMA systems including HSPA are deployed in the 850, 900, 1700, 1800, 1900, and 2100 MHz bands. WCDMA and HSPA are part of the 3GPP evolutionary roadmap for GSM and being followed by GSM operators worldwide. WCDMA is deployed in 70% of all commercial 3G networks globally.

This short paper provides an overview of the present spectrum situation including developments in the 700, 850, 900 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands, and summarizes the additional spectrum identified by WRC '07

Useful additional resources/links:

GSA Information Paper “UMTS 900”
www.gsacom.com/gsm_3g/info_papers.php4

GSA 3G/WCDMA-HSPA Fact Sheet
www.gsacom.com/gsm_3g/wcdma_databank.php4#3G_WCDMA_Fact_Sheet

WRC 07 Outcome and some views
www.gsacom.com/gsm_3g/info_papers.php4

GSA submission to Ofcom 2GHz, 2.6 GHz spectrum consultation
http://www.gsacom.com/gsm_3g/consultation_responses.php4

FCC Auction 73 Fact Sheet
http://wireless.fcc.gov/auctions/default.htm?job=auction_factsheet&id=73#Licenses Offered

Total Telecom recently ran a series of articles by Mary Lenninghan on various Eastern European telecoms markets, following briefings with CEOs of five Telekom Austria subsidiaries. In addition to valuable insight into the featured telecoms operators, the articles provide current information on the shape of the market in Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia. The articles are reproduced here with permission of Total Telecom.

Overview of EDGE Evolution, a package of enhancements to GSM/EDGE currently being standardised in 3GPP as part of Release 7, which will enable bit-rates to over 1 Mbps peak, higher uplink performance, spectral efficiency at least twice as good as today, latency (round trip time) reduced to below 100 ms, and generate ARPU growth

This short presentation summarizes the decisions taken at WRC '07 and the key outcomes for the mobile industry.

Kindly prepared for GSA by Håkan Ohlsén and Lasse Wieweg, Ericsson AB

This Information Paper gives an overview of the NGMN Alliance, covering:
Background and membership, sponsors
Vision and target
Activities

This Information Paper gives an overview of the drivers and industry commitment to standardise a "Common IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem)" in 3GPP, to meet the needs of the fixed, mobile, cable and broadband wireless communities.

Presentation by Alan Hadden, President, GSA at "20 Years of GSM" seminar
Lemesos, Cyprus, March 15-16, 2007

Background to seminar: www.gsacom.com/news/gsa_217.php4

Programme & all seminar presentations: www.3gpp.org/ftp/workshop/2007-03-14_20%20Years%20of%20GSM/Presentation/

Press release: www.etsi.org/pressroom/Previous/2007/2007_03_gsm20yrs.htm

Many governments are working today to develop and implement Universal Access programs for telecommunications and information infrastructure for rural and low-income areas in the emerging markets, including Africa, Asia, India and Latin America. Mobile communications is the most sensible and effective response to bridging the digital divide. The worldwide economies of scale of GSM/EDGE and WCDMA/HSPA technologies enable a continuous reduction in Total Cost of Ownership, so that data services can ultimately be delivered to a mass market. The open standards roadmap, which continues with 3GPP LTE, ensures continuing efficiency and cost benefits.

This paper was submitted for publication in the ITU Telecom World 2006 Forum Proceedings, as background to GSA participation in the Digital Society Panel Session DS-P: Is distance really dead

Presentation by GSA at the (Informa) Ultra Low Cost Handset conference, London

Celebrating 15 years of GSM in commercial service, over 2 billion subscriptions and over 81% share of the worldwide mobile communications market.

Introductory remarks by conference chairman Alan Hadden, President, GSA

Presentation by GSA at the 3GPP PCG Workshop China, Beijing

GSA Report to ETSI General Assembly #47, Nice, 28-29 March 2006

3G/WCDMA Hit the Mainstream in 2005

Chairman's remarks to the IIR HSDPA Implementation Strategies conference, Amsterdam, December 6-7, 2005

Presentation by GSA at IIR 3G World Congress 2005, Hong Kong

Presentation by GSA at IIR "Strategically Deploying EDGE" conference in Barcelona

Focus on Central and Eastern Europe - Keynote presentation by Alan Hadden, President, GSA at NextGen Mobile, Warsaw

Presentation by Alan Hadden, President, GSA at GSM Brasil 2005, Rio de Janeiro

• Evolution to 3G with GSM/EDGE/WCDMA
• Universal access; addressing rural and low ARPU markets profitably

Update on WCDMA network deployments, subscribers globally and devices availability.

The 21st Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition of CANTO (Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organizations) was held in St. Kitts (West Indies). The event brought together more than 45 telecommunications organizations from 30 countries of the region. The theme of this year's event was "Telecom Liberalization and the CSME: "Opening New doors" )CSME is short for Caribbean Single Market and Economy). 60 companies exhibited, and in total there were more than 450 participants present. GSA was represented by Peter Reinisch, Vice President who presented an update on the GSM/3G Market, which was well received. The aim of the presentation was to show the dominating role of GSM and its evolution world-wide. It also showed that GSM/3G is essential to strengthen the economy of the CANTO states.

GSA chaired Day 1 of IIR's Strategically Deploying HSDPA conference, 25-28 April 2005, Lisbon - opening remarks by Alan Hadden, President, GSA.

GSA is a 3GPP Market Representation Partner and presented this report to the delegates of the 3GPP Project Co-ordination Group (PCG) meeting in Cancun.
More about 3GPP at http://www.gsacom.com/3gpp/