Objectives

Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to

• Describe the concept of the HSCSD network.

• Discuss the evolution of EGPRS and EDGE.

• Understand what UMTS is all about.

• Describe the various other enhancements of 3G.

• Understand how ETSI and ANSI are collaborating with the developments.

Mobile Evolution

Get ready! As the convergence of wireless technology and the Internet continue at an escalating pace, the new possibilities created by third- generation (3G) and fourth- generation (4G) technologies appear endless. Preparing for the revolution, existing Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) operators must evolve their networks to take advantage of mobile multimedia applications and the eventual shift to an all- Internet Protocol (IP) architecture. One way to do that is through the evolution of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS). However, soon after we see the installation of GPRS, some operators will begin the next step in the evolution process to Enhanced Data rates for Global Envolution (EDGE). With EDGE, existing TDMA networks can host a variety of new applications, including

• Online e-mail

• Access to the World Wide Web

• Enhanced Short Message Services (SMSs)

• Wireless imaging with instant photos or graphics

• Video services

• Document/information sharing

• Surveillance

• Voice messaging via Internet

• Broadcasting

At the same time, some operators will skip the step to EDGE and go directly to Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems