WCDMA launched for faster data access
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Being able to download the latest pop hit on their mobiles tops the wishlist of young, cell-phone crazy Indonesians -- after they receive their daily religious SMS, of course -- and a mobile phone company is hoping to capitalize on this when it introduces new technology here soon.
According to a global survey conducted by Ericsson in 2004, most young subscribers wanted more services on their mobile phones.
In Indonesia, subscribers are keen on being able to watch television on mobile phones, which ranks fourth for the most favorite mobile services after a religious message of the day, radio entertainment and the ability to download music.
The Swedish-based telecommunication company on Friday introduced the Mobile Broadband, which is applicable through the support of the evolution of Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) or more commonly known as the High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA).
WCDMA is a form of 3G, a third generation advanced technology which enables cell phone subscribers to enjoy triple-play services such video streaming, video conferencing through cellular phones, in addition to a much faster data transfer.
With WCDMA, a GSM user can get data at speed rate between 9.6 and 14.4 kilobyte per second (kbps) from his or her network, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) user at up to 20 kbps, a GPRS user at between 9 and 171.2 kbps, an Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) user at up to 384 kbps, a WCDMA user at up to 2 megabyte per second (Mbps) while an HSDPA user can get up to 14 Mbps peak data rate. These maximum speeds depend on the operator's network configurations and other variables.
The marketing manager of Product Management of WCDMA RAN Ericsson, Peter Hjorth, said the Mobile Broadband would enable corporate subscribers to easily access the web and download files in a better and faster way, as well as providing voice and broadband services for wider GSM users.
Sugiarto Tanudin of 3G Champion of Ericsson Indonesia said, "We have tried to apply this technology through GSM network providers because GSM is the most common and widely used network in Indonesia."
He said his company was still discussing the Mobile Broadband with several telecommunication firms.
"We only have the technology. It is up to the cell phone operators how and when to apply it. But for the HSDPA, hopefully we will begin operating at the end of this year or early next year," he added.
The country's largest cellular phone firm Telkomsel, which was granted a license to run a 3G-based radio network last October, plans to launch 3G service trial processes by mid-year.
However, Telkomsel is still waiting for a formal operating license and frequency bandwidth to fully operate the service from the Ministry of Communications.
The government has granted PT Natrindo Telepon Seluler/ Lippo Telecom and CAC, an affiliate of Thailand's leading cellular operator Telecom Orange Asia, 3G licenses and allocated frequency spectrum in 2003. However, both companies have not yet started operating the services. (001)