SnL_ayaz_/was_here » GSM

NSN & Vodafone demonstrate Active Antenna solution

SnL_ayaz_/was_here — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:37:04 +0000

Antenna technology with potential to further reduce carbon emissions pioneered through NICE partnership

Nokia Siemens Networks, a leading global enabler of communications network solutions and services, and Vodafone, the world’s leading international mobile telecommunications company, have successfully tested a new antenna technology designed to reduce carbon emissions and improve the cost efficiency of mobile phone networks for operators.

The tests, carried out through the recently announced Nokia Siemens Networks Innovation Centre (NICE) initiative between the two companies, mark the first time that an integrated Active Antenna solution has been used on a commercial mobile WCDMA telecommunications network.

Nokia Siemens Networks Active Antenna incorporates elements of the base station within the antenna, reducing the footprint of base stations and lowering power consumption.

The solution is capable of supporting multiple standards, such as GSM, WCDMA and LTE, and has been developed in accordance with the industry’s Single RAN specification, which Vodafone has also played a key role in developing.

“We see Active Antennas as the next logical step in base station site evolution, where the trend is to move RF parts closer to the antenna. Nokia Siemens Networks is a leader in Active Antenna technology, helping operators reduce CAPEX and OPEX with its innovative solutions” said Tommi Uitto, head of Wireless Access Product Management at Nokia Siemens Networks.

Active Antenna technology has the potential to support operators by enhancing network performance and increasing the flexibility of deployment while creating opportunities to lower OPEX through reducing site rental, maintenance and energy costs.

“Vodafone is committed to driving innovation throughout its operations and working closely with its vendor community to enhance the quality of our customers’ experience, while identifying opportunities for greater cost efficiencies” said Fergal Kelly, Director of Access Networks, Vodafone Group.

The Active Antenna solution is targeted at operators rolling out new 3G or LTE (Long Term Evolution) networks or enhancing their existing 3G networks, as well as for those markets planning to re-farm current GSM band to make space for WCDMA/LTE.

For the demonstration of voice and data calls over the Active Antenna system, Nokia Siemens Networks provided the uB900 Antenna Embedded Radio from its partner Ubidyne integrated to be part of a Flexi Base Station system. Vodafone provided access to its commercial network in Italy where the engineering team successfully performed the joint technology assessment.

The demonstration is the first project to be generated through the NICE initiative between Vodafone and Nokia Siemens Networks, based in Madrid, Spain and created for the purpose of joint innovation around new concepts, products and architectures.

Ericsson to modernize Kyivstar’s network to meet uptake of mobile data in Ukraine

SnL_ayaz_/was_here — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:18:02 +0000

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) is paving the way for leading Ukrainian operator Kyivstar to offer its 23.9 million subscribers mobile broadband services under a three-year network modernization deal between the two companies.

While Ukraine awaits the imminent release of 3G licenses, Kyivstar’s customers across 99.9 percent of the country will be able to access multimedia data services and superior voice service thanks to an expansion and modernization of Kyivstar’s GSM/EDGE network. Ericsson will boost capacity and coverage of the operator’s radio access and core network, which serves more than half the nation’s total subscriber base of 55.2 million. By increasing capacity by more than 30 percent, Kyivstar will be able to manage the anticipated uptake of mobile data in the network.

The core network capacity is expanded by using the Ericsson Mobile Softswitch Solution, which also enables cost-efficient migration to an all-IP network. The deal also covers microwave transmission, network deployment, systems integration and support services, as well as competence development for staff.

Igor Lytovchenko, President of Kyivstar, says: “This network modernization furthers Kyivstar’s strategy of maintaining its technology leadership, while preparing for the launch of mobile broadband services with the introduction of 3G in Ukraine.”

Jan Campbell, President of Ericsson Eastern Europe and Central Asia, says that the deal is an extension of Ericsson’s established partnership with Kyivstar, which dates back to the nationwide rollout of its GSM network in 1996. “By using Ericsson’s latest GSM/EDGE technologies, Kyivstar can deliver seamless services to its customers today and be well prepared for future needs.”

Kyivstar and Ericsson have also joined forces in the area of advanced mobile technologies, with the first Ukrainian demonstrations of 3G and MMS in 2002 and EDGE in 2004.

AWS Spectrum critical mobile broadband growth across the Americas – GSMA-backed research

SnL_ayaz_/was_here — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:13:31 +0000

New research estimates 177.8 million AWS subscribers by end of 2013 across the US, Canada and Latin America

The licensing of the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) band will put the Americas on a par with Asia and Europe in terms of 3G reach according to new research conducted by Global View Partners, a US-based research firm, in partnership with the GSMA, which represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. The research found that, as a core 3G band in the Americas, AWS spectrum is vital for the growth of mobile broadband as it will accelerate the launch of new services that will drive new mobile broadband devices and applications.

“This research commissioned by the GSMA highlights that the AWS band will bring new opportunities in markets with pent-up demand for broadband services,” said Ricardo Tavares, Senior Vice President at the GSMA. “The AWS band will unleash a new range of spectrum that will greatly benefit consumers and increase economic productivity due to the accessibility of mobile broadband. Regulators should move quickly and not delay in making this valuable and viable spectrum available to meet the rapidly growing broadband needs of consumers and businesses across the Americas.”

The AWS band has already added significant mobile broadband capacity and coverage to the US and Canadian markets where auctions to license the spectrum have already taken place, with many Latin America markets planning to license the spectrum throughout 2009. The research found that prices paid for AWS spectrum in the US and Canada revealed high market demand.

Growth in AWS subscribers and device volumes is also projected for the Americas according to the research. Additional licensing across the region should bring total subscribers with AWS-enabled devices from an estimated 12.4 million at the end of 2009 to an estimated 177.8 million at the end of 2013, a growth rate of 94 per cent each year. As the subscriber base increases, the research suggests that device sales will also grow from an estimated 10.9 million in 2009 to an estimated 114.5 million in 2013, representing a growth rate of 80 per cent each year.

The research also highlighted operator plans. For example, T-Mobile USA plans to continue to drive AWS device and subscriber penetration over the next several years. Global View Partner’s market forecast predicts approximately one half of the operator’s subscriber base are expected to be using HSPA-enabled devices capable of operating in the AWS band within two years, with more than 90 per cent within five years.

“At T-Mobile USA, we are working with our suppliers to deliver a broad range of innovative AWS-banded devices to market. Our suppliers share our vision of the value the AWS band enables,” said Neville Ray, Senior Vice President, Engineering Operations, T-Mobile USA.
“Consistently, we observe suppliers leveraging investments made previously for the 1.9/2.1 band, and delivering high performing and price competitive AWS-banded devices. The AWS device eco-system is broadening each day and is tied to the burgeoning growth of 3G globally.”

World’s first rich communication suite-based service now live in South Korea

SnL_ayaz_/was_here — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:19:04 +0000

KT, SK Telecom and LG Telecom join forces to provide new enhanced services for customers incorporating GSMA’s Rich Communication Suite key features

The GSMA today announced that the world’s first interoperable enhanced communication service incorporating key elements of the GSMA’s Rich Communication Suite (RCS) specifications is now a live commercial service in South Korea. The GSMA’s RCS initiative is supported by some of the world’s leading handset vendors, core network vendors and mobile operators including KT, and SK Telecom, who joined the initiative to provide an interoperable service solution in South Korea.

The services offered by the three South Korean operators include KT’s ‘show moov’, SK Telecom’s ‘Mobile Messenger’ and LG Telecom’s ‘OZ messenger’, and commercialise key features of RCS such as phonebook driven buddy lists, presence capability that includes taglines and status, and voice calls and messaging.

KT’s ‘show moov’ client application is available for mobile and PC platforms, so users can access RCS services from mobile and fixed terminals, which is a key feature of the RCS specifications developed by the GSMA. Also, SK Telecom and KT are actively collaborating with fixed line services. For instance, KT ‘show moov’ is integrated with one of Korea’s major portal’s e-mail, search services and SK Telecom’ s mobile messenger is linked with one of Korea’s most popular messenger ‘Nate On Messenger.’

“We are delighted that three leading mobile operators in South Korea, KT, LG Telecom and SK Telecom, have together launched the world’s first commercial service incorporating key elements of the GSMA’s Rich Communication Suite,” said Michael O’Hara, CMO at the GSMA. “We live in a world where users want to access and share information at any time, any place and from any device, and the GSMA’s RCS initiative provides operators with the ability to launch a variety of new and enhanced communication services that fulfils this need.”
The GSMA’s RCS initiative will provide an exciting, feature-rich portfolio of communication services that operators will be able to offer their customers. RCS unleashes the communities hidden in a user’s phone book and with one simple click, the ‘always on’ user can share lifestyle experiences and emotions using rich content such as images and video amongst their closest ‘buddies’.

Developed by the collaborative efforts of leading mobile operators, vendors and telecommunication companies, RCS service features for the end user include an ‘Enhanced Address Book’ with presence and capability indications, ‘Rich Call’ facilities to exchange different types of content during a call and ‘Rich Messaging’ that expands on traditional instant messaging.

SK Telecom and KT are active participants in the GSMA’s RCS initiative and their newly announced, interoperable commercial services in South Korea will provide significant opportunities for feedback, which will assist the creation of new ‘use cases’ as the RCS specification focus moves into the PC to mobile domain.

“KT show moov enables easy and convenient integrated fixed and mobile communication. KT will continuously lead the market with the development of next generation communication service,” said Mr. Hoonbae Kim, VP of KT Messaging & Roaming Business Division

“As an early member of the RCS Initiative, SK Telecom actively participated in the process of standardization and IOT testing. Looking forward, the company will continue its proactive participation in promoting RCS services under close cooperation with other global players while fully leveraging its extensive expertise and experience in technology and service,” said Jae-Woan Byun, Senior Vice President and Head of Institute of Network Technology at SK Telecom

Further announcements on RCS trials and launched commercial services are expected around the world in the coming year.

NSN rolls out networks for Vodafone in 7 new regions across India

SnL_ayaz_/was_here — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:04:14 +0000

Vodafone Essar has completed a rapid service expansion into seven new regions across India. People living in or traveling to Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, North East and Orissa will now be able to use services provided by India’s second largest GSM operator. Nokia Siemens Networks, Vodafone Essar’s existing infrastructure partner in 12 regions, undertook the new network roll out in just ten months.

The planning and building of the seven networks was undertaken as in the first phase of a three year expansion contract awarded to Nokia Siemens Networks in 2008. Further expansion will carry on through 2010.

Nokia Siemens Networks has a strong track record in speedy network roll out, and in India alone it sets up 5,000 base stations a month. With this contract, the company has emerged as the largest network implementation partner for Vodafone in India, with more than 80% of Vodafone’s subscriber traffic in the country flowing through infrastructure set up by Nokia Siemens Networks.

“We are proud to partner with Vodafone Essar as it charts an aggressive growth strategy and are committed to helping it realize its goals,” said C B Velayuthan, Head, Vodafone Customer Team, Nokia Siemens Networks. “India’s vast geography and varied topology, in addition to the acute power shortage in remote areas, make network expansion a challenging task. Our Flexi Base Station and services capabilities are the ideal solution for service providers who want to achieve more, with less.”

SnL_ayaz_/was_here » GSM

NSN & Vodafone demonstrate Active Antenna solution

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