Mobile networks
ready for 3G
T
HE LATEST buzz-
word in the mobile
industry is ‘3G’. Ev-
ery mobile service
provider is eager to exploit
the situation to develop his
network capability to incor-
porate lot of value added ser-
vices and more specifically to
extend Wireless Broad band
Access (WBA) to his subscrib-
er base in order to increase
his revenue stream.
Recent introduction
The mobile networks are
ready for transformation to
3G services. The service pro-
viders 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 conver-
gence of the top four major
technologies, namely, com-
munication (of voice and da-
ta), broadcasting (of video
clips), telecasting (of music),
internet access (data trans-
mission including charts and
pictures) at a very high speed.
3G denotes third genera-
tion technology used in con-
text with mobile phone.
The service associated with
3G provides ability to transfer
simultaneously both ‘voice-
data’ (telephone call) and
‘non-voice data’ (download-
ing information, e-mail and
the like) using Internet Pro-
tocol (IP) over packet-switch-
ing mode.
Higher data rates
For 3G a 5MHz channel
carrier width to deliver sig-
nificantly 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 re-
quirement, regulatory condi-
tions 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 con-
sidered 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 ac-
cess (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 opti-
mum 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-
● 3G converges top 4
technologies
● Migration to 3G
network in India is
late
served for all CDMA oper-
ators with 2x2.5 MHz for the
introduction of CDMA
EV-DO.
TRAI observed: “Consid-
ering the growth and devel-
opment of wireless
technologies and services, a
long-term view on overall
spectrum management poli-
cy including the organiza-
tional structure for spectrum
management is necessary.”
“In order to ensure avail-
ability of additional spec-
trum, its efficient utilization,
planning for future require-
ment and effective monitor-
ing 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 net-
work as on date.
Europe launched 3G in
2003. India is expected to
join the 3G Club by 2007 pro-
vided the spectrum alloca-
tion 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 mo-
bile at higher speeds on any
time anywhere basis; high
degree of commonality of de-
sign worldwide; news feeds,
music video clips, bank state-
ments 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 archi-
tecture enabling easy inte-
gration and standardisation.
3GPP (3rd generation
partnership projects for
GSM) and 3GPP 2 (3rd gen-
eration partnership projects
for CDMA) are new world-
wide standards for the cre-
ation, delivery and playback
of multimedia over 3G mo-
bile 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 captur-
ing of video pictures on mo-
bile handset and transferring
them to desktop computers/
laptops for playback using
suitable S/W.
A. GANESAN
Deputy General Manager
BSNL,Chennai
(aruganesan@hotmail.com)