One of the main issues with VoIP over 3G networks is that the number of possible simultaneous calls per cell is much lower today than the number of calls that can be transported over 3G networks in circuit switched mode. This is due to the fact that the radio interface has been optimized on every … Continue reading VoIP capacity over HSDPA
This year has started with a lot of positive creativity on the operator side in Germany and elsewhere. Examples: Affordable prepaid mobile data is now available in a number of countries (Germany, Austria, Italy for example). Also, Vodafone has introduced a €15 euro a day roaming for data on prepaid SIMs and Three has even … Continue reading Anti-Creativity: Let’s Help Some MVNO’s To Invent Additional (Roaming) Fees
How delighted I was when I heard Nokia’s announcement that they would release their Nokia Maps (a.k.a. Smart2Go) mapping application for handsets other than the Nokia N95. Right after coming back from the 3GSM congress, I downloaded a copy for my N93 and used it in the past couple of days together with a Nokia … Continue reading Test Driving Nokia Maps / Smart2Go – Part 1
Just back in October I’ve been writing how Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO’s) have revolutionized the mobile telephony market in Germany. Now it looks like they’ve discovered mobile Internet access as an attractive market and have started to offer very competitive prices. Over at m-trends, I’ve been discussing the far reaching implications of this move. … Continue reading Affordable Prepaid Mobile Internet Access In Germany And Other Countries
This ‘Deep Inside the Network episode’ focuses on UMTS security mechanisms and enhancements over GSM. Like the previous ‘Deep Inside’ articles I expect the target audience to be rather small. Nevertheless, I decided to post it anyway as I haven’t found this information in a similarly compressed form anywhere else. Introduction Like GSM, UMTS has … Continue reading Deep Inside the Network, Episode 3: UMTS authentication
Ever since Skype has entered the VoIP sphere, I prefer using it over other VoIP or conventional phone networks for a single reason: For Skype to Skype calls, voice quality is much better than what other systems offer today. The secret is a new voice codec which is much better than the standard G.711 PCM … Continue reading Deep Inside the Network, Episode 2: AMR-WB – Skype-like Audio Quality for Mobile Networks
I couple of years ago I thought EDGE (Enhanced Data Rate for GSM evolution) would not have a big chance on the market with new technologies like 3G and later on HSDPA entering the market. An yet, EDGE has made it into many networks around the world. In some countries, 3G hasn’t made it beyond … Continue reading Evolved EDGE – The New Kid On the Block
So far I always thought that high 3G license costs like the 50 billion euros that were spent in Germany would inhibit growth, deployment and use of 3G networks and services. I am not so sure anymore as according to the ITU, 3G licenses were given out for free in Finland with only a modest … Continue reading Do cheap 3G licenses push coverage?
While doing some research on which frequency bands mobile WiMAX will be specified for I found this interesting website from Intel in which they give some information about the upcoming Rosedale 2 chip. They say that Centrino notebooks with the chipset will support both Wifi and WiMAX. Supported WiMAX Frequency Bands A link to this … Continue reading WiMAX details from Intel
News of the new Nokia N95 have taken the blogsphere by storm. People like Justin who usually have long blog entries are simply left speechless. Incredible, incredible, incredible. A good intro with technical details can be found on AllAboutSymbian. And, likewise incredible: It took less than a day for at least half a dozen videos … Continue reading Nokia N95 videos on YouTube