India Ready For 3g Networks

Mobile networks ready for 3G

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HE LATEST buzzword in the mobile industry is ‘3G’. Every mobile service provider is eager to exploit the situation to develop his network capability to incorporate lot of value added services and more specifically to extend Wireless Broad band Access (WBA) to his subscriber base in order to increase his revenue stream.

Recent introduction The mobile networks are ready for transformation to 3G services. The service providers are upbeat with recent introduction of GPRS and EDGE. By up-gradation to 2.5G, the mobile network has been successful in delivering data at the higher rates of 144 kbps and 384 kbps. 3G is a concept which leads to realisation of the convergence of the top four major technologies, namely, communication (of voice and data), broadcasting (of video clips), telecasting (of music), internet access (data transmission including charts and pictures) at a very high speed. 3G denotes third generation technology used in context with mobile phone. The service associated with 3G provides ability to transfer simultaneously both ‘voicedata’ (telephone call) and ‘non-voice data’ (downloading information, e-mail and the like) using Internet Protocol (IP) over packet-switching mode.

Higher data rates For 3G a 5MHz channel carrier width to deliver significantly higher data rates with increased capacity to meet future requirement is essential. The allocation of spectrum to mobile service providers is pending with GOI as on date. The recommendations of TRAI on this subject clearly spell out the technical requirement, regulatory conditions and pricing policy. The spectrum identified for 3G is to be treated as a standalone allocation and not an extension of the earlier spectrum allocation of 2G. The range of frequencies considered most suitable is 450 MHz, 800 MHz and 2.1 GHz .

The proposition Five blocks of 2 x 2- 5 MHz in 2.1 GHz band, one block of 2 x5 MHz in 450 MHz band, two blocks of 2 x 1.25 MHz in 800 MHz are proposed to be made available to the mobile operators. For Broadband wireless access (BWA), which is given high priority, it is identified that 200 MHz of spectrum in 3.3-3.4 GHz and 3.4-3.6 GHz bands will be the most optimum for the purpose. This pragmatic long-term road map identifying bands of spectrum for immediate and future use thus ensures that the benefit of technology is spread all over the country. The 800 MHz Spectrum is re-

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3G converges top 4 technologies

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Migration to 3G network in India is late

served for all CDMA operators with 2x2.5 MHz for the introduction of CDMA EV-DO. TRAI observed: “Considering the growth and development of wireless technologies and services, a long-term view on overall spectrum management policy including the organizational structure for spectrum management is necessary.” “In order to ensure availability of additional spectrum, its efficient utilization, planning for future requirement and effective monitoring a National Frequency management Board (NFMB) may be constituted.”

Spectrum allocation Migration to 3G network in India is late, as already over 70 countries have rolled out 3G, Japan being the first country to introduce 3G in 2002 and having 40 per cent of subscribers using 3G network as on date. Europe launched 3G in 2003. India is expected to join the 3G Club by 2007 provided the spectrum allocation is done smoothly.

Potential applications 3G can be listed as: use of small packet terminals with worldwide roaming facility; Internet and other multi media applications on mobile at higher speeds on any time anywhere basis; high degree of commonality of design worldwide; news feeds, music video clips, bank statements instantly on mobile handsets (combination of voice and data seamlessly); interactive video games/ computer games over the Net on the move with handset with built-in radio modems to provide remote control and diagnostics; open architecture enabling easy integration and standardisation. 3GPP (3rd generation partnership projects for GSM) and 3GPP 2 (3rd generation partnership projects for CDMA) are new worldwide standards for the creation, delivery and playback of multimedia over 3G mobile net works.

Video and audio 3GPP 2 are based on MPEG-4, the standard for delivery of video and audio over the Internet. This also enables capturing of video pictures on mobile handset and transferring them to desktop computers/ laptops for playback using suitable S/W. A. GANESAN

Deputy General Manager BSNL,Chennai ([email protected])