This is the first time that state-of-the-art functions in the 3G (third generation) W-CDMA have been demonstrated for the public in Beijing. The demonstration includes mobile video-conferencing and Web browsing at a speed of up to 384 kbps, which outperforms significantly the second generation (2G) optimal rate of 9.6 kbps. Visitors riding in the moving demo van can enjoy high quality voice/data transmission service enabled by W-CDMA.
In first quarter of 1998, Ericsson, China Academy of Telecommunications Technology (CATT) and DoCoMo began a feasibility study on a joint program to test and evaluate the W-CDMA experimental system in China. The first experimental system for W-CDMA was delivered to China in the fourth quarter of 1998. In June 1999, the three parties signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the joint program. And , in November 1999,the compact mobile terminals for W-CDMA experimental system will be delivered to China.
The live demonstration at PT/Wireless allows Chinese mobile operators and the public to preview future mobile communication applications and services. This, in turn, will help accelerate the pace of the local telecommunications industry in migrating to the 3G mobile communications standard.
"As a pioneer in the third generation of mobile communications, Ericsson has had ten years of experience in research and technology development. We delivered the first W-CDMA experimental system, and secured the first W-CDMA order in the world," said Dr. Ken Zhang, Vice President for Technology, Ericsson (China) Co. Ltd. "Ericsson has installed W-CDMA experimental systems in many countries, including China, to test high-speed data transmission, leveraging Ericsson's more than 10 years of research and development in 3G technologies."
"NTT DoCoMo, by forming cooperative relationships with operators to standardize the IMT-2000 third-generation (3G) mobile communication system, as well as to develop mobile multimedia, has been a driving force behind the research and development of 3G systems," said Kiyoyuki Tsujimura, Managing Director of NTT DoCoMo's Global Business Department. "We have succeeded in high-speed transmission tests of up to 2 Mbps since October 1996, and we now intend to actively evaluate and develop such technology and related service applications through joint testing of W-CDMA in China."
"China Academy of Telecommunications Technology (CATT) has reached an agreement with Ericsson to jointly explore the 3G technologies in China," said Tong Zou, vice director of Science and Technology Department Dept. of CATT. "We have been testing the W-CDMA experimental system provided by Ericsson, and both parties will cooperate to launch a 3G laboratory for the development of 3G systems and applications that are specific to China."
Ericsson is leading the development of 3G mobile communications. The company is well-positioned to support any operator anywhere to migrate into 3G systems - regardless of current systems. Ericsson offers a smooth migration path from all 2G systems to 3G systems based on W-CDMA, cdma2000 and EDGE. The company offers a 3G portfolio with end-to-end solutions, including terminals, applications and infrastructure. Ericsson has already set up 3G experimental systems in Canada, China, Japan, Germany, Italy, UK, U.S. and Sweden on three continents.
Ericsson China has more than 3,800 employees, 23 offices across the country and eight joint ventures that provide a full range of communications solutions and services. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with the freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers-- network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over.
China Academy of Telecommunications Technology (CATT) develops high technological industry vigorously and in large scale, putting out national and international high level products with its own IPR, including mobile communication system equipment, digital SPC switching systems with large capacity, optical and microwave communication system equipment, data and broadband communication equipment, total solution access network equipment, telecommunication software and system integration and telecommunication integrated circuit chip. They are widely used in the telecommunication public and special networks throughout China, and have also entered the telecommunication market of the US, Japan, Pakistan, and Tadzhikistan. In June of Last Year (1998), CATT submitted the Chinese scheme of TD-SCDMA to International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It has a great influence in the world. CATT is doing much research on TD-SCDMA. As we know, both TD-SCDMA and W-CDMA are the common direction of GSM. TD-SCDMA and W-CDMA are complementary for each other.
NTT Mobile Communications Network, Inc. (NTT DoCoMo), Japan's largest mobile communications operator provides a comprehensive range of wireless services including cellular phone, paging, satellite mobile communication, maritime telephone and in-flight telephone. Services are provided nationwide by nine regional subsidiaries. NTT DoCoMo had more than 27.6 million mobile phones subscribers as of September 1999, including both Personal Digital Cellular (PDC) and Personal Handyphone System (PHS) mobile phone customers. Consolidated sales reached 3.1 trillion yen in fiscal 1998, which ended in March 1999. NTT DoCoMo expects to introduce third-generation mobile communications system based on Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) system in 2001. NTT DoCoMo was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in October 1998.
