ORLANDO, Fla.-The North American GSM Alliance L.L.C. and the Universal Wireless Communications Consortium last week said they will join forces to collaborate on next-generation technology and to provide a unified lobbying force on Capitol Hill.
“We’ve agreed on a set of principles,” said UWCC Chairman Gregory Williams, vice president of wireless systems with SBC Communications Inc. “We will work for convergence where it makes sense.”
The two already have agreed on common next-generation technical standards for high-speed modulation, air interface to support high-speed data (200 kHz EDGE) and high-speed packet data architecture (EGPRS). These standards will provide a migration path to third-generation technology. Time Division Multiple Access carriers plan to migrate to wideband Time Division Multiple Access technology, while Global System for Mobile communications will evolve to wideband Code Division Multiple Access technology based on the GSM platform.
AT&T Wireless Services Inc. head Dan Hesse said merging the two technologies will allow for a “huge economic boost in term of volumes and price per unit.”
The UWCC and the GSM Alliance said they would work together on common areas of interest that include: free market choice of wireless technology; the allocation of available spectrum independent of technology restrictions; the deployment of multiple 3G standards; the understanding that countries should not arbitrarily limit choice of standards to a single technology; agreement that second-generation wireless customers and carriers be supported in the transition to 3G technology; and the agreement to investigate areas of potential convergence in the evolution of technologies supported by the UWCC and the GSM Alliance.
GSM Alliance Chairman Don Warkentin said the two groups want to make a clear statement that they support multiple 3G standards. CDMA backers have been pushing to converge their 3G proposal-cdma2000, based on Interim Standard-95-with the W-CDMA standard. GSM operators have resisted, claiming convergence degrades the standard. UWCC and the GSM Alliance have agreed to pool their lobbying efforts to counteract lobbying efforts from Qualcomm Inc. and others that support convergence on Capitol Hill.
“We agreed to pool our lobbying efforts to open doors and make sure a common message is delivered,” said Williams.
Late last week, North America CDMA proponents stepped up their lobbying campaign by mailing and faxing letters endorsed by major wireless carriers to senior Clinton administration officials and key congressional members.
The three-page letter embracing CDMA convergence for 3G is supported by AirTouch Communications Inc., Alltel Communications, Ameritech Cellular Services, BC Tel Mobility, Bell Atlantic Mobile, Bell Mobility Cellular, GTE Wireless, LG Telecom and Sprint PCS.
While the carriers all deploy CDMA technology, the letter marks the first time they have officially transmitted their backing for 3G convergence to U.S. policy makers.
