Abstract :
The rate of growth in subscribers for second generation mobile communication networks continues to outstrip all but the most optimistic forecasts. In Japan, for example, the number of subscribers has increased from 4 million to 30 million during the 3-year period ended March 1998. This rate of growth will lead to capacity problems in many parts of the world and this is one of the main drivers for third generation (3G) systems. The other key driver is probably even more significant, yet difficult to quantify. This is the latent demand for advanced new services which are not possible with current second-generation systems. Such services are anticipated to require high data rate access, multimedia capability, support for packet mode communication and seamless wired/mobile functionality. Taken together, these two factors will drive the demand for future third generation mobile communication terminals and the associated base stations and networking infrastructure. It is now clear that the main air interface for 3G systems will be based on wideband CDMA (W-CDMA). This technology offers better capacity and quality of service compared with current systems and the principles have been demonstrated in the form of current IS-95 CDMA systems. Coupled with this, the domination of GSM in second-generation (2G) systems is now clear and in future will be consolidated through many new enhancements. For these reasons, Telecom MODUS Ltd. is committed to 3G solutions based on a combination of W-CDMA and evolved GSM networks
