BELLEVUE, WA--(Marketwire - February 25, 2010) - 3G Americas, a wireless industry trade association representing the GSM family of technologies including LTE, today announced that it has published an informational white paper titled, GSM-UMTS Network Migration to LTE: LTE and 2G-3G Interworking Functions, that examines key steps for introducing LTE technology into existing GSM-UMTS networks.
A 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specification, LTE will serve to unify the fixed and mobile broadband worlds and will open the door to new converged multimedia services. As an all-IP-based technology, LTE will drive a major network transformation as the traditional circuit-based applications and services migrate to an all-IP environment, though introducing LTE will require support and coordination between a complex ecosystem of application servers, devices/terminals and interaction with existing technologies. The report discusses functionality and steps GSM-UMTS network operators may use to effectively evolve their networks to LTE and identifies potential challenges and solutions for enabling the interaction of LTE with GSM, GPRS and UMTS networks.
"This white paper reveals solutions that facilitate a smooth migration for network operators as they deploy LTE," stated Chris Pearson, president of 3G Americas. "3GPP has clearly defined the technology standards in Release 9 and Release 10, and this paper explores the implementation of these standards on 3GPP networks."
A reported 130 operators around the world have written LTE into their technology roadmaps. In December 2009, TeliaSonera launched the world's first LTE networks in Norway and Sweden and an estimated 17 operators are expected to follow in its footsteps in 2010.
"LTE is receiving widespread support and powerful endorsements from industry leaders around the world, but it is important to keep in mind that the evolution to LTE will require a multi-year effort," Pearson said. "LTE must efficiently and seamlessly coexist with existing wireless technologies during its rise to becoming the leading next-generation wireless technology."
Operators planning LTE deployments must consider the implications of utilizing LTE in an ecosystem comprising 2G, 3G and future "4G" wireless technologies. Therefore, operators planning an LTE deployment will need to offer multi-technology devices with networks that allow mobility and service continuity between GSM, EDGE, HSPA and LTE.
The white paper, GSM-UMTS Network Migration to LTE: LTE and 2G-3G Interworking Functions, was written collaboratively by members of 3G Americas and is available for free download on the 3G Americas website at www.3gamericas.org.
About 3G Americas: Unifying the Americas through Wireless Technology
3G Americas is an industry trade organization composed of telecommunications service providers and manufacturers. The organization's mission is to promote, facilitate and advocate for the deployment and adoption of the GSM family of technologies including LTE throughout the Americas. 3G Americas has contributed to the successful commercial rollout of GSM across the Americas and its place as the No. 1 technology in the region, as well as the global adoption of EDGE. The organization aims to develop the expansive wireless ecosystem of networks, devices, and applications enabled by GSM and its evolution to LTE. 3G Americas is headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., with an office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Dallas. More information is available at www.3gamericas.org.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Vicki Livingston
3G Americas
262 242 3458