InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

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3G Coming, Ready or Not
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec 16, 2002 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- While the UMTS (W-CDMA) landscape is changing daily, due to deployment delays and handset issues, the transformation of many cdmaOne networks to CDMA2000 1x is proceeding at a rapid pace, according to In-Stat/MDR ( http://www.instat.com ). "The evolution of a cdmaOne network to CDMA 1x is relatively simple since very few new elements are required," says Ray Jodoin, a Director with the high-tech market research firm. "The primary hardware addition is the PDSN, which is the CDMA 2000 equivalent to the UMTS GGSN. Existing BTSs, BSCs, and MSCs require modification rather than replacement."


In-Stat/MDR has also found that: -- No European carriers have committed to EDGE as an upgrade path, but Nokia has announced that they will support any deployment with a GSM/EDGE handset. This, however, should not surprise anyone, since all base stations shipped for more than one year are GSM/GPRS/EDGE capable. However, the situation in the Americas, where no spectrum in the 2GHz band has been allocated, is different. AT&T Wireless, Cingular, and T-Mobile have announced plans to implement GSM/GPRS/EDGE upgrades within the existing cellular frequencies, using Compact EDGE. -- While UMTS has borne the brunt of the recent gloom and doom scenarios, it is actually being deployed, and generating manufacturing revenue, at a reasonable rate. It will continue to be deployed at an increasing rate as handsets become available and coverage deadlines advance. In Europe, the driving factor will not necessarily be a "killer application," but quite probably will be the need for more voice capacity to supplement the strained GSM urban networks. While UMTS is often portrayed as "expensive," the reality of the situation is that the hardware cost-per-voice channel is less than one-half the cost of GSM. -- There will be consolidation in the European UMTS arena. In Germany, for example, with a penetration rate of more than 65%, there is hardly room for six UMTS carriers in addition to the four GSM incumbents. However, in spite of the obvious need to consolidate, deployment will continue at an accelerated rate next year, as the license holders struggle to activate as large a revenue stream as possible.
The report, "3G Infrastructure Deployment Update" (#IN020334GW), covers the architecture and deployment of CDMA2000, GSM/EDGE, and UMTS (W-CDMA). Current, trial, and planned deployment for CDMA 1x and 1xEV-DO are tabulated and UMTS deployment and projected revenue through the end of 2003 are forecast by carrier and by country. To purchase this report, or for more information, please visit: http://www.instat.com/catalog/cat-cw.htm or contact Erin McKeighan; [e-mail] at 480.609.4551. The report price is $3,495 USD.
In-Stat/MDR ( http://www.instat.com ) offers a broad range of information resources and analytical assets to technology vendors, service providers, technology professionals, and market specialists worldwide. The company stands alone in its ability to integrate both supply-side and demand-side research methodologies into a single comprehensive view of technology markets and products. This capability relies on a unique ability to cover the entire value chain from engineering-level technology, through equipment, infrastructure, services and end-users.
In-Stat/MDR is part of the Reed Electronics Group, a division of Reed Elsevier ( www.reedelsevier.com ), a world-leading publisher and information provider. With over 38,000 employees worldwide, Reed Elsevier operates in the science & medical, legal, education and business-to-business industry sectors, providing high value and flexible information solutions to professional end users, with increasing emphasis on the Internet.
For further information, please contact: Ray Jodoin, Director - Wireless Research, [phone], [e-mail] , or Kirsten Skedd, Marketing Manager, [phone], [e-mail] , both of In-Stat/MDR.


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SOURCE In-Stat/MDR


CONTACT: Ray Jodoin, Director - Wireless Research, [phone], [e-mail] , or Kirsten Skedd, Marketing Manager, [phone], [e-mail] , both of In-StatURL: http://www.prnewswire.com http://www.instat.co
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