NEC Corporation announced that it has realized an advanced new telecom platform. The first product based on the new platform for mobile operators are new SGSN and GGSN, a packet core node which can handle large-volume IP packet transmission applications such as video streaming and GPS for 3G services. The new platform is the world’s first working model of an Advanced-TCA(TM) (ATCA) based commercial product.
KDDI has announced a contract with Hutchison CAT Wireless Multimedia Ltd., a leading cellular phone carrier in Thailand, for the construction of a high-precision global positioning system (GPS). The contract is based on the gpsOne system which KDDI presently offers in Japan in cooperation with NEC as EZ NAVI, and is worth a total of approximately 1 billion yen. In constructing the new system, KDDI will cooperate with Snap Track, Inc., regarding the gpsOne system license and technological support.
Kyocera Wireless Corp, a leading manufacturer of CDMA wireless devices, and AIRDESK Inc., an international provider of wireless data solutions and services, today announced that the new Kyocera 200 Module is available for order from AIRDESK in small and large quantities. Having recently completed the strict certification process at Verizon Wireless, the Kyocera 200 is the only wireless module to incorporate both trimode CDMA2000 1XRTT high-speed voice/data and assisted-GPS (A-GPS) position location technologies. Within the wireless industry, AIRDESK is a recognized expert and resource for data solutions and services, with a focus on the M2M and telemetry markets.
NEC Electronics Corporation today announced that it has developed a new signal processing device (uPD77534) and an RF/IF down converter IC (uPB1009) to enhance Global Positioning System (GPS) functions for cellular phones and other mobile applications. The uPD77534 is an ARM7 TDMI-based System LSI for signal processing, fabricated on 0.15-micron process. As a chipset solution with uPD77534, NEC Electronics has also developed a new RF/IF down converter chip which is connected to the signal processor device and converts the high frequency GPS satellite signal to a low frequency signal used to establish location.
Herewith, I’d like to query you, the loyal and keen WWJ readers (some 30% of whom are in Europe, according to last fall’s subscriber survey), on what an outsider needs to know about Europe’s mobile Internet. What are the companies, technologies, business models, and content services serving to boost the future? What – and who – matters most? Which will triumph: i-mode or Vodafone Live? Can Japanese terminal makers kick their way into the market? And will the Open Mobile Alliance boost Europe’s wireless industry far ahead of Japan’s – given sufficient buy-in from content providers and software creators?
So far, Japanese carriers haven’t really pushed location services as stand-alone products; they’re sold as “part of” a handset and there are no handsets that are sold only as, or primarily for, navi-service capabilities. Sure, KDDI did do a big marketing push when their first GPS-enabled keitai hit the market in December 2001, but now it’s just one more feature onboard their fleet (in the January catalog, KDDI showed six of 11 handsets as having GPS capability). Also: Looks like Japan’s WLAN market – in addition to being highly fragmented – is one of the cheapest.
