3GPP - 4G Americas

HSDPA handsets were commercially available by 2Q 2006 with HSDPA handhelds first launched
in South Korea in May 2006 and in North America by Cingular (now AT&T) in July 2006. In
addition to allowing data to be downloaded at up to 1.8 Mbps, the initial handsets offered such
applications as satellite-transmitted Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) TV programs, with
two- to three-megapixel cameras, Bluetooth, radios and stereo speakers for a variety of
multimedia and messaging capabilities. As of December 2008, there were more than 294 HSPA
handsets available supporting speeds of 7.2 Mbps downlink, 2 Mbps uplink in addition to EDGE. 6
Handset manufacturers are developing some strong collaborative relationships and initiating
promising technologies. For instance, UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) devices have been
delivered to the market and will greatly improve indoor coverage and make calls more affordable.
T-Mobile USA launched UMA devices for customers on their T-Mobile@Home offering. Also,
device manufacturers are working with financial services companies like Visa and MasterCard to
develop contactless payment services, or, in other words, using cell phones as credit cards or ewallets.
The first Near Field Communication (NFC) mobile payment trials in the U.S. began in
mid 2007 following the introduction of NFC-enabled mobile phones at CES in January 2007.
Mobilkom Austria completed the first live HSUPA demonstration in Europe in November 2006.
One month later, the first HSUPA mobile data connection on a commercial network (of 3 Italia)
was established. In 2007, Mobilkom Austria launched the world’s first commercial HSUPA and
7.2 Mbps HSDPA network in February, followed by commercial 7.2 USB modems in April and 7.2
data cards in May. There were numerous announcements of commercial network upgrades to
Rel-6 HSUPA throughout 2H 2007 and as of December 2008, there are 60 commercial networks
and 101 operators who have already announced plans to deploy HSUPA (see Appendix B).
Beyond HSPA, leading vendors are actively developing and testing IMS device implementation.
The GSMA’s IMS (Videoshare) Interoperability Test Sessions yielded important early successes
in demonstrating IMS functionality in 2006 as well as ensuring interoperable solutions that will
increase the take-up of this next step in the GSM/UMTS evolution. This was further supported by
vendors at the 2007 World Congress with demonstrations of IMS VideoShare on all types of
devices.
In November 2006, Softbank Mobile Corp. in Japan launched the world’s first IMS-based services
over a 3G network with new exciting 3G services initially including push-to-talk, presence and
group list management. IMS Mobile VoIP over HSPA was demonstrated for the first time on a
mobile terminal at the World Congress 2007.
IMS serves as the cornerstone for next-generation blended lifestyle services and vendors are
also supporting IMS development across multiple frequency bands to deliver valuable
applications and services. More than 100 operators had commercial or contracted IMS networks
throughout the world in 2008, and trials of various IMS network elements were being conducted.
IMS developer programs are available in Germany, the U.S., China and Singapore to encourage
the creation of advanced IMS applications and services. IMS solutions like the “service
enhancement layer” allow for integration of a set of software technologies that enable wireless,
wireline and converged network operators to create and deliver simple, seamless, secure,
6 Ibid.
www.3GAmericas.org February 2009 Page 12