WCIS Insight: UMTS900 - From Concept to Commercial Launch - 2nd Edition

Table of Contents

• INTRODUCTION
• Why UMTS900?
  • Figure 1.1: The nine UMTS band classes
  • Figure 1.2: Nortel study showing cell sites for UMTS900 vs UMTS2000
  • Figure 1.3: Western Europe GSM versus WCDMA subscription forecasts, 2007-2012
• Challenges of spectrum re-farming
  • Figure 1.4: Carrier separation of 5MHz between two UMTS carriers
  • Figure 1.5: Carrier separation of 2.8MHz between UMTS carrier and GSM carrier
  • Figure 1.6: Minimum carrier separation in 900/1800MHz bands

• THE REGULATORY OUTLOOK IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
• GSM Directive to be repealed by October/November 2007
  • Figure 2.1: The GSM Directive
  • Figure 2.2: Excerpt from the Final Draft Decision
• Finalisation of CEPT studies sets clear framework for technical feasibility of UMTS900 deployment scenario
• Finland and Switzerland set clear precedents for overcoming re-farming issue
• General policy climate within the EU favours flexible allocation of spectrum
  • Figure 2.3: The initial set of frequency bands under investigation for the implementation of more flexibility
• GSM licence renewals
  • Figure 2.4: Timetable for expiry of GSM licences
• Regulators outside the EU embrace UMTS900

• INFRASTRUTURE VENDORS READY TO MEET OPERATOR DEMAND
  • Figure 3.1: UMTS900 trials carried out by Nokia Siemens Networks
  • Figure 3.2: UMTS900 trials carried out by Alcatel-Lucent (including former Nortel trials)
  • Figure 3.3: UMTS900 trials carried out by Huawei

• DEVICE VENDORS WILL FOLLOW NOKIA' S LEAD
• Nokia takes the lead
  • Figure 4.1: Nokia 6121
  • Figure 4.2: Chipset suppliers preparing solutions to support WCDMA900 handsets

• AUSTRALIA
• Regulatory environment is welcoming
• Optus completes the country' s first UMTS900 technical trials
• Other operators consider their options

• FINLAND
• The revocation of Tele2' s 3G licence removes potential hurdle to UMTS900
  • Figure 6.1: GSM900 channel reallocation
• Operator perspectives
  • 1) Reduce the cost of rolling out WCDMA networks
  • 2) Improve coverage in rural areas
  • 3) Improve indoor coverage
• Elisa trial takes UMTS900 one step closer
• Conclusions

• FRANCE
  • Figure 7.1: 900MHz frequency allocation with four operators
• NSN and SFR trial shows SFR' s continued commitment
• Rural coverage may require infrastructure sharing

CHAPTER 8

• ITALY
• Reallocation of existing 900MHz and 1800MHz frequencies
  • Figure 8.1: Italy: GSM frequency allocations
• Two options: short cut or natural expiry of GSM licences
  • Option A
  • Option B

• NEW ZEALAND
• Vodafone New Zealand: first commercial WCDMA900 deployment in the world
• Ideal conditions in New Zealand
• Other operators keen to join the UMTS900 bandwagon

• PORTUGAL
  • Figure 10.1: Portugal: GSM spectrum allocations
• Anacom approves expansion of Vodafone trial

• UK
  • Figure 11.1: UK: GSM spectrum allocations
• UK operators are optimistic but not hurried
  • i) Limited handset availability
  • ii) Current high level of usage of the GSM networks
  • iii) the cost of re-farming

• CONCLUSION
• Wither GSM?
• Vodafone leads the way
  • Figure 12.1: UMTS900 comparative matrix for Western Europe

APPENDIX 1

• Appendix 1.1: GSM spectrum allocations in Western Europe
• Appendix 1.2: GSM spectrum allocations in Central & Eastern Europe

APPENDIX 2

• Appendix 2.1: UMTS spectrum allocations in Western Europe
• Appendix 2.2: UMTS spectrum allocations in Central & Eastern Europe

APPENDIX 3

• Appendix 3: WCDMA network coverage in Europe (selected markets)

APPENDIX 4

• Appendix 4: Key events timeline