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GSM MEETS "THE NEED FOR SPEED" WITH LAUNCH OF FIRST HSCSD SERVICES IN THE NORDIC REGION
GSM has taken its first step towards providing high speed wireless data with the launch of the world's first HSCSD (High
Speed Circuit Switched Data) services by Sonera in Finland and Europolitan in Sweden. GSM operators worldwide are currently
implementing HSCSD in their networks and more service launches will be announced soon.
"The launch of HSCSD will make a real impact in the market for non-voice services and is the first step towards third
generation mobile services," says Alan Hadden, president of the GSA. "Constant evolution is one of the basic
characteristics of GSM, and HSCSD is the first step in a well defined path."
HSCSD delivers the higher data transmission speeds demanded by today's mobile users. It provides faster wireless Internet
and email access and allows files to be downloaded more quickly, essential services for remote users and employees on the
move. HSCSD makes it possible to surf the Internet on the move and view pages with a high graphics content in seconds. It
is also possible to access in-house LANs via corporate intranets and access stock prices, reserve tables at restaurants or
check travel schedules.
HSCSD is a high-speed circuit switched data technology, which will ultimately enable data speeds of up to 57.6kbps in GSM
networks. HSCSD phones capable of transmitting data at 14.4kbps over one channel (or slot) are already available, a rate
which represents an improvement of 50 per cent compared to the current speed of 9.6kbps.
'Multislot' phones will soon allow simultaneous use of up to four channels for a data call. If three of these channels are
used to transmit data to the mobile terminal and one channel used from the terminal, downlink data transmission speeds of up
to 43.2kbps can be attained. This rate is comparable to current fixed modem connections, and will effectively allow people
to carry around their office or Internet in their pocket.
HSCSD will be followed by GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) and WCDMA (Wide
Band Code Division Multiple Access), providing mobile multimedia access at up to 2Mbps in the local area and 384kbps in the
wide area. These technologies will enable GSM to meet the increasing user demand for services such as high speed wireless
Internet access, mobile computing and wireless multimedia.
"GSM continues to be the world's fastest-growing mobile standard, at a pace exceeding all other mobile technologies
combined. GSM services are available in 137 countries across all continents and enjoyed by more than 200 million subscribers
worldwide," added Hadden. "The launch of HSCSD further increases GSM's lead over other mobile technologies."
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GSA Information Note
HSCSD means faster data speeds
The first high-speed data capability for GSM networks, now available, is High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD), a
multislot data technique. HSCSD requires a new radio link protocol which is a modification of the existing protocol used to
provide the GSM voice channel. This work has been completed by ETSI, the European Technical Standards Institute, which is
responsible for GSM standardisation.
GSM uses TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) technology, which divides each 200 kHz carrier into eight timeslots. One
timeslot is used for each single voice channel and is also required to support a 9.6kbps data circuit. Initially HSCSD
allows up to four such slots to be combined to provide a single high-speed circuit (up to 38.4kbps). A parallel development
enhances data transmission rates per timeslot from the current 9.6 kbps to 14.4kbps. Thus overall transmission speeds using
HSCSD with four timeslots increase to 57.6 kbps.
This approach is designed for existing GSM networks with only minimal adaptation required. Any GSM operators can thus roll
out HSCSD quickly and efficiently, a major benefit.
HSCSD speeds web browsing and file transfer, and enables any number of new applications for wireless communications. For
example, subscribers can access stock prices, reserve tables at restaurants, find the nearest taxi company or check
schedules, e.g. for buses or trains. For the first time, it is possible to surf the Internet while on the move and view
pages with a high graphics content in seconds.
It is also possible to take advantage of the higher speeds to access in-house LANs via corporate intranets. Interconnecting
high speed wireless data capability with public and corporate IP networks, for example, delivers mobile customers full
end-to-end digital connectivity with the extra benefits of very fast set-up times and high link quality.
Because HSCSD features an in-built bandwidth-on-demand capability, it does not matter what speed the user needs for any
particular activity - the service will provide whatever speed is required as available, up to 57.6kbit/s.
Further information about the GSA
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