Mobile systems - the next generation

Abstract

Europe and other regions are looking at the challenges of future mobile communications systems. Already in the ITU and ETSI, standardisation of the third generation of mobile systems is progressing to meet the target dates of year 2000 for the introduction of the ITU's Future Public Land Mobile Telecommunications System (FPLMTS) and year 2002 for ETSI's Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). GSM has introduced digital technology data services and global roaming, and with the second phase of GSM, better quality of service, enhanced data services and near world-wide coverage are expected. Flexibility, adaptability, high rate data services and toll quality of service will be some of the distinct characteristics of the next generation. It is logical to expect a migratory path from second to third generation systems. However, in order to arrive at a truly third generation system, evolution must be considered carefully, including new technologies where necessary. The applications supported by the third generation will have more than one implementation: therefore, the third generation may be viewed as an applications environment, rather than a single system implementation. The regulatory environment will also play an important role in the growth of future mobile communications. Spectrum allocations with world-wide co-ordination will create the framework for global competition. Further, the addition of a satellite component will provide truly global roaming, where sparse population density precludes the operation of terrestrial mobile systems on economic grounds. (9 pages)