High Speed Data in Mobile Networks

Currently, almost all network operators worldwide are upgrading their GSM networks in order to provide high speed mobile data to their subscribers. The ever increasing growth rate of data applications such as e-mail and the internet is confronting mobile network operators worldwide with the challenge to upgrade their networks to high bandwidth capable "bit pipes" in order to provide for all kinds of mobile data applications. High speed mobile data will combine two of today's most rapidly growing technologies, mobility and the internet.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) and HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data) have been designed primarily as upgrades to the well known and widely used GSM standard. In the 1980s and early 1990s, when the GSM system was designed and standardized, data transmission capabilities were of minor importance compared to voice. Besides, at that time, the maximum transmission speed of 9.6 kbit/s that GSM offered, appeared to be sufficient and was comparable with analog wireline modems.

Starting with HSCSD, the first high speed mobile data upgrade to be standardized, higher rates of transmission can be provided to mobile customers. EDGE has a transmission speed of up to 384 kbit/s and GPRS is able to support up to 160 kbit/s. 

INTRODUCTION

Currently, almost all network operators worldwide are upgrading their GSM networks in order to provide high speed mobile data to their subscribers. This subclause focuses on providing you with an overview of some typical applications for high speed mobile data. We also would like to make you aware of some of the general advantages and risks. When are HSCSD and EDGE available for commercial applications? What are some of the general aspects that all high speed mobile data options have in common?

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THE NEED FOR HIGH SPEED MOBILE DATA

Why High Speed Mobile Data?

The ever increasing growth rate of data applications such as e-mail and the internet is confronting mobile network operators worldwide with the challenge to upgrade their networks to high bandwidth capable "bit pipes" in order to provide for all kinds of mobile data applications. High speed mobile data will combine two of today's most rapidly growing technologies, mobility and the internet.

Let us compare the situation on the mobile side with the progress that has been made on the fixed end. While even today's analog modems operate at 56 kbit/s and, indeed, ISDN transmits up to 128 kbit/s, mobile users are still limited to 9.6 kbit/s in of GSM. The rollout of XDSL improves the situation even further on the wireline side, thereby broadening the gap between wireline and wireless. 

Bandwidth Requirements 

The figure below presents the bandwidth requirements for some typical data transfer applications. Note that these requirements apply to both wireline and mobile usage. Obviously, GSM can barely cope with surfing the web and video-conferencing is totally unfeasible. 

Customer Potential 

With regard to mobile data, not just the typical pattern of use by today's businessmen on the move shall be addressed: Today's GSM-networks are also used by many consumers for the largest growing mobile data application of the late 1990's, SMS. Therefore, the new mobile data technologies need to address both consumer groups, the private customer and the business user. In the first instance, most network operators intend to attract their high-end business subscribers, their long term goal being, however, to bring high speed mobile data to the mass market. 

High Speed Data Options for GSM 

The figure below illustrates the evolution of data services in GSM. Please note that packet-switched services are illustrated in red while circuit-switched services are shown in blue. The following sections will provide a technical introduction to these new services. 

AN HISTORICAL VIEW

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) and HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data) have been designed primarily as upgrades to the well known and widely used GSM standard. In the 1980s and early 1990s, when the GSM system was designed and standardized, data transmission capabilities were of minor importance compared to voice. Besides, at that time, the maximum transmission speed of 9.6 kbit/s that GSM offered, appeared to be sufficient and was comparable with analog wireline modems.

Starting with HSCSD, the first high speed mobile data upgrade to be standardized, higher rates of transmission can be provided to mobile customers. EDGE has a transmission speed of up to 384 kbit/s and GPRS is able to support up to 160 kbit/s.

Applications for High Speed Mobile Data

Today, many business and marketing experts worldwide are seeking the ultimate "killer application" to justify the huge investments in high speed data upgrades and 3G-technology. People generally focus on e-mail, file transfer and accessing the WWW for the usual internet transactions when considering applications for high speed mobile data. These applications will, of course, be important but there will also be new applicatons which will suit the specific needs of mobile usage. Despite this, many new applications will only come into being when the mobile networks have been upgraded. For those applications, the mobile device, as we know it, will not be deployed. However, even today, entirely new mobile data applications that do not involve the common mobile user or usage are already emerging. Let us examine a few of these applications.