Ericsson offers proposal to harmonize third generation mobile communications
Ericsson offers proposal to harmonize third-generation mobile communications Ericsson today announced a solution to complete the harmonization of third- generation mobile communication standards that offers equal opportunity to all operators and users worldwide. The Ericsson proposal would allow operators to migrate to third-generation (3G) mobile communications independent of their current technologies. The solution from Ericsson would harmonize WCDMA and cdma2000 systems making it possible to produce low-cost dual-mode mobile phones and terminals to serve users across the two system standards. The Ericsson initiative is based on a reduction of the so-called chip rate of WCDMA from the present 4,096 Mcps to 3,84 Mcps. "We are very optimistic that our proposal meets with all requirements for harmonized 3G standards for users of GSM, TDMA IS-136, cdmaOne and PDC equally well," said Åke Persson, vice president, Ericsson. "Our solution bridges WCDMA and cdma2000 technologies and lays the foundation for harmonized world standards. This approach would offer equal access to global terminal market volumes and also facilitate global roaming, yet minimize the inevitable reduction of system performance that comes with a lower chip rate." Third-generation mobile communications will be based on wideband radio technology and facilitate mobile Internet and multimedia services. "The 3G opportunity is here and now," Mr. Persson said. "We see operators moving forward rapidly to take advantage of the business opportunity afforded by future mobile technology. The adoption of our proposal by the global mobile industry would ensure that there are no delays in delivering these services to hundreds of millions of users around the world." rd Ericsson also appreciates and applauds the 3 -Generation Partnership Project, a timely global initiative by regional standardization bodies to speed the development of the WCDMA standard. The 3GPP project, formed by ARIB and TTC of Japan, T1 (ANSI) of the U.S., TTA of Korea and ETSI of Europe, is in response to market demands for an accelerated standardization process that will enable the roll out of the first 3G systems by 2001. These standardization bodies have already lent their support to WCDMA as the preferred global radio transmission technology in their contributions to the International Telecommunications Union in June, 1998. "To achieve the goals of timely 3G standards that are available on equal terms for all operators and users calls for hard work and a spirit of compromise," Mr. Persson said. "At Ericsson, we believe that all members of the global mobile industry must now come together in support of these efforts to make next-generation mobile technology happen. We are confident that our proposal to reduce the chip rate of WCDMA will contribute to this process." Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with the freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers - network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over. Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Åke Persson, Vice President, Marketing and Sales Ericsson Mobile Systems Phone: +46 8 404 4095, +46 70 542 946 E-mail: ake.persson@era.ericsson.se Eric Österberg, Communications Director Ericsson Mobile Systems Phone: +46 70 590 0599, +46 8 757 2159 E-mail; eric.osterberg@era.ericsson.se