WCDMA launched for faster data access

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)