InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

[rmarchma]

3GDollars re HSDPA and TDD

I’m not a technical person, so please keep that in mind as I offer my opinions. Currently HSDPA is an enhancement to basic FDD to significantly improve data handling and speed. Data handling capabilities and speed is the real strength of TDD over basic FDD. However if HSDPA can improve the data capability of FDD enough, then TDD deployment might be significantly delayed, or might be limited, or might not even be necessary at all.

Therefore, I am extremely encouraged that IDCC has essential IPR in HSDPA-enhanced FDD and is touting that fact. This greatly enhances IDCC’s IPR position within the primary 3G mode of FDD. Therefore, IDCC is still in the WCDMA game in a significant way, even if TDD is implemented much later, or is implemented on a limited basis, or is never deployed at all.

If IDCC’s FDD IPR is significant enough, then I think we are more inclined to receive one blended 3G royalty rate, especially for WCDMA, rather than separate rates for separate 3G modes. IDCC's TDD IPR might then be viewed as extra icing on the licensing cake, in case 3G eventually heads in that direction.

I think that TD-SCDMA will be deployed, certainly in China. As I understand it, TD-SCDMA is a stand-alone mode and can be used in lieu of FDD. However WTDD is normally used in conjunction with FDD, unless the network is data-only with no voice. IPWireless TDD networks appear to be data-only btw.

Still the FDD spectrum, even with HSDPA, might not have enough capacity to handle all of the future data demands, and WTDD might have to be added-on to the system anyway. I was also trying to determine if HSDPA technology could be applied to TDD also, to supercharge TDD in a similar way as it appears to be doing with FDD. Thus HSDPA-enhanced TDD should still carry its distinct data advantages over HSDPA-enhanced FDD.