What
UMTS Offers
Fast access
UMTS is above 2G mobile systems for its potential to support 2Mbit/s
data rates from the outset. This capability, together with the inherent IP support,
combine powerfully to deliver interactive multimedia services and new wideband
applications, such as video telephony and video conferencing.
Packet transmission and data rate on demand
Present cellular systems use circuit switched technology for data. UMTS
integrates packet and circuit data transmission with the benefits of:
- virtual connectivity to the network at all times
- alternative ways of billing (e.g. pay-per-bit, per
session, flat rate, ul/dl asymmetric bandwidth) as demanded by many emerging data services
UMTS is also being designed to offer data rate on demand
which, in combination with packet data, will make operation of the system much cheaper.
Friendly and consistent service environment
UMTS services are based on common capabilities throughout all UMTS user and
radio environments. When roaming from his network to other UMTS operators, a personal user
will experience a consistent set of services thus "feeling" on his home network
("Virtual Home Environment", or VHE). VHE will ensure the delivery of the
service provider’s total environment, including e.g. a corporate user’s virtual
work environment, independent of the access mode (satellite or terrestrial). VHE will
enable terminals to negotiate functionality with the visited network, possibly by a
software download, and "home-like" services will be provided with full security
and transparency across a mix of access and core networks.
Mobility and Coverage
UMTS is conceived as a global system, comprising both terrestrial and
satellite components. Multi-mode terminals operating also via 2G systems (e.g. GSM 900 and
1800) will further extend the reach of many UMTS services. With these terminals a
subscriber will be able to roam from a private network into a picocellular/micro-cellular
public one, then into a wide area macrocellular network (e.g. a 2G network), and then to a
satellite mobile one, with minimal break in communication.
Radio Technology for All Environments
The UMTS radio interface UTRA will support operation with
high spectral efficiency and service quality. In practical implementations, UMTS terminals
might be unable to operate at the highest data rates at all times, and in remote or
heavily congested areas system services might only support lower rates due to radio
propagation constraints or economic reasons. In order to enable subscribers to always use
their terminal, services will be adaptive to different data rate availability and other
Quality of Service (QoS) parameters. In the early stages of deployment, UMTS coverage will
be limited.
Therefore, UMTS will enable roaming with other
networks, e.g. a GSM system operated by the same operator or with other GSM or 3G systems
of other operators, including UMTS compatible satellites.
UMTS Services Available Globally by Satellite
Satellite technology can readily provide global coverage and service and it
is expected to play an important role for UMTS world-wide coverage. UMTS is being
standardised to ensure an efficient and effective roaming and handover between satellite
and terrestrial networks.
Spectrum for UMTS
WRC’92 identified the frequency bands 1885-2025 MHz and 2110-2200 MHz
for future IMT-2000 systems, with the bands 1980-2010 MHz and 2170-2200 MHz intended for
the satellite part of these future systems. Now, it is time to make these bands available
for UMTS licences to enable operators for network deployments.
All above data from http://www.umts-forum.org/
See also:
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