quality of service (QOS) capability of wimax

WiMAX radios will support very robust QOS capabilities up to and incorporating asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) quality. The MAC itself is configured to handle IP traffic, Ethernet and ATM natively. The MAC was designed to even support future transport protocols not yet invented. Links can be dynamically configured based on link conditions. Basically, this dynamic configuration technique smoothens the balancing act between raw capacity and quality on the fly. It should improve capacity or spectral efficiency a great deal. There are a lot of elements of wireless transmission which affect the quality of signal---needs also vary depending on the type of data. For example, VoIP can tolerate some errors, but must have low latencies (anything above 150 ms is a nonstarter) to operate. The packet sizes for VoIP are typically much smaller than for data. When networks must handle blended traffic, the polling mechanism that chooses which radio can transmit with either a smaller VoIP packet or a larger data packet is crucial to ensure that data traffic is not optimized at the expense of voice. Video transmission is similar. Conversely, data packets do not need especially low latencies, but cannot endure transmission errors.

WiMAX partly accomplishes this by assigning variable length Protocol Data Units (PDU)s, which is basically the data packet size in the Physical Layer, that can be combined in bursts to reduce signaling overhead in the PHY layer. This is called adaptive modulation and is a sharp contrast from the static modulation schemes of yesteryear. A similar technique is used for MAC signaling except they are called Service Data Units (SDU)s. Several other techniques are used for reducing signaling transmissions and to improve the polling or communications between radios. In the older 802.11b protocol for example, each radio and base station continues to signal and interact constantly with other radios---basically a carrier sense multiple access with collision detection (CSMA/CD) approach similar to Ethernet computer networks. This unfortunately results in packet collision, packet loss and a great deal of inefficient cross talk in a static mode.

WiMAX technology supports a variety of more efficient polling mechanisms that vendors and carriers can choose to use, including a defined contact cycle, grouping of radios into contact groups or even allowing customer radios to generate a brief signal indicating it needs a transmission cycle. All of these aspects, which are intended to solve multiple problems, also result in improved QOS capabilities. QOS is critical for delineating minimum bandwidth levels for VoIP sessions for example, as well as other leading edge IP services.

Both common duplexing schemes are supported in WiMAX---those being FDD and TDD.

The frequency division duplexing (FDD) requires two parallel channels for send and receive. This method is a well-understood holdover from cellular technology. The newer time division duplexing (TDD) allows for dynamic and symmetric transmission of data across a single channel. Where and when either should be used often depend on the frequency and the vendor’s emphasis on particular strengths. It is not unfair to suggest that TDD is more likely to be widely utilized by WiMAX product vendors. Suffice it to say that multiple duplexing support adds significant flexibility to WiMAX---capabilities not before supported by broadband wireless technology.

the actual throughput (data transfer rate) of WiMAX Technology

WiMAX supports very robust data throughput. The technology at theoretical maximums could support approximately 75 Mbps per channel (in a 20 MHz channel using 64QAM ¾ code rate). Real world performance will be considerably lower---perhaps maxing out around 45 Mbps/channel in some fixed broadband applications. Remember however, that service across this channel would be shared by multiple customers. Actual transmission capabilities on a per customer basis could vary widely depending on the carrier’s chosen customer base, which is actually an inherent strength because it can be defined by QOS in a deliberate fashion to offer different bandwidth capabilities to customers with different needs (and different budgets). Mobile WiMAX capabilities on a per customer basis will be lower in practical terms, but much better than competing 3G technologies. WiMAX is often cited to possess a spectral efficiency of 5 bps/Hz, which is very good in comparison to other broadband wireless technologies, especially 3G.

In practical terms, Sprint has stated that it intends to deliver service at 2 Mbps to 4 Mbps to its customers with Mobile WiMAX.

The modulation scheme, whether quaternary phase shift keying (QPSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM, 64 QAM etc.) and their attendant code rate variations deliver varying bandwidth capabilities by channel size. Like most things wireless, the devil as they say is in the details. The good news is that pretty much all of the news is good in this regard relative to other broadband wireless and wireline competitors of WiMAX. The OFDMA® technology actually supports multiple modulation schemes depending upon the users range from the cell with users at closer range receiving signal across more sub-channels at, for example, 64 QAM whereas a user at greater range would receive signal across fewer sub-channels (with higher gain or power per channel) using a lower bandwidth QPSK technique for example.

Many things affect transfer rate beyond simple radio capability---one major element being distance from the base station. The physics of radio cannot be avoided. Longer ranges result in lower bandwidth delivered. Also, the spectrum channel size (1.e. 20 MHz or other) that regulation defines as appropriate for different frequency bands will dictate bandwidth capabilities at least to some extent. Also, remember that the RF and physical environment play a strong role in throughput results. Essentially, the real world blunts theoretical performance.

The physics of frequency range plays a powerful role in bandwidth capability. The higher the frequency, the greater the bandwidth delivery potential and the shorter range potential. Lower frequencies enjoy much greater range capability, but trade that off with much lower bandwidth potential. Fortunately, even with disclaimers centered on real world impediments, WiMAX throughput is excellent.

most factors will greatly affect range for WiMAX products

Many factors affect range for any broadband wireless product. Some factors include the terrain and density/height of tree cover. Hills and valleys can block or partially reflect signals. Bodies of water such as rivers and lakes are highly reflective of RF transmissions. Fortunately OFDM can often turn this to an advantage---but not always. The RF shadow of large buildings can create dead spots directly behind them, particularly if license-free spectrums are being used (with their attendant lower power allotments). How busy the RF environment of a city or town can greatly degrade signals---meaning that properly designed and well thought out networks are always desired. The physics of radio transmission dictate that the greater the range between the base station and customer radio, the lower the amount of bandwidth that can be delivered, even in an extremely well-designed network. The climate can affect radio performance---despite this there are ubiquitous wireless networks deployed today with great success in frozen Alaskan oil fields as well as lush South American and Asian climates.

No two cities are exactly alike in terms of the challenges and opportunities presented. In many respects, broadband wireless remains very much an art form. However, this is also true for the cellular carriers most of us use daily. It can be done quite well. Mobile broadband wireless will be more difficult. Achieving high quality of service (QOS) will be easier with fixed broadband wireless. Despite all of these challenges, current broadband wireless is very effectively serving customers even in the most challenging environments.

Range of WiMAX

The answer to this question probably generates more confusion than any other single aspect of WiMAX. It is common to see statements in the media describing WiMAX multipoint coverage extending 30 miles. In a strict technical sense (in some spectrum ranges) this is correct, with even greater ranges being possible in point to point links. In practice (and especially in the license-free bands) this is wildly overstated especially where non line of sight (NLOS) reception is concerned.

Due to a variety of factors explained in more detail in other FAQ answers, the average cell ranges for most WiMAX networks will likely boast 4-5 mile range (in NLOS capable frequencies) even through tree cover and building walls. Service ranges up to 10 miles (16 Kilometers) are very likely in line of sight (LOS) applications (once again depending upon frequency). Ranges beyond 10 miles are certainly possible, but for scalability purposes may not be desirable for heavily loaded networks. In most cases, additional cells are indicated to sustain high quality of service (QOS) capability. For the carrier class approach, especially in regards to mobility, cells larger than this seem unlikely in the near future.

The Real WiMAX Advantage

Smart antennas use, OFDMA and specifically the spectral efficiency of OFDMA are routinely offered as the advantages of a mobile WiMAX. The true competitive strengths of WiMAX may prove to be elsewhere.

Intelligent antennas are on the road map of every major standard not just WiMAX, including those from the 3GPP (WCDMA) and 3GPP2 (CDMA) and the emerging 802.20 standard. Existing mobile carriers are unlikely to deploy intelligent antennas with a new air interface initially for coverage or capacity since these carriers already possess substantial tower assets and existing mobile carriers generally scale capacity on new services and/or air interfaces gradually to meet initial and limited demand for those services. Thus WiMAX may have a time advantage in implementation of intelligent antennas but that gain will be neutralized by mobile carriers themselves.

OFDMA is also on the road map of virtually every major standard, including those mentioned above. 3GPP2, perhaps through the standardization of FLASH-OFDM, stands to be the first group to offer a mobile, deployment ready version of OFDMA. 3GPP will follow and 802.20 could ratify an OFDMA standard by late 2006.

Equally important are the benefits of OFDMA, especially when pertaining to spectral efficiency in a wide area, multi-cellular, mobile environment, remain unproven regarding the implementation which WiMAX purveyors and most others will use.

The advantage may exist from use of the air interface but the level of improvement, especially in a challenging mobile environment, may not be as great as many are expecting. Likewise, performance may vary substantially according to implementation and performance of the MAC level, which governs how the radio spectrum is employed and which is rarely considered in RF simulations. Ultimately more testing is required now that 802.16e has been ratified and vendors are working on implementing the standard.

So what are the advantages of mobile WiMAX at the current time? WiMAX is the first truly open mobile standard (802.16e). It is governed by the IEEE's fair licensing practices and participation in the group is open and democratic compared to other groups. This is in fact revolutionary as 3GPP and 3GPP2 are ultimately consortiums and its implications are wide. This open process should lead to greater innovation and hence a better performance when moving forward and also potentially lower intellectual property licensing fees and provide for a quicker rate of change compared to that of existing mobile technologies.

A lack of history within the mobile industry is also an advantage for WiMAX vendors. For the most part, and in contrast to CDMA/GSM/WCDMA vendors, key WiMAX equipment vendors lack a mobile product line to protect. They must push the envelope on technology and move forward as they cannot rely on a steady stream of existing GSM, WCDMA, or CDMA mobile contracts. In other words, WiMAX proponents benefit from disrupting the status quo and their survival may depend on it.

WiMAX is also the first major mobile standard to offer all IP as a standard feature set. 3GPP will get there in subsequent releases but it still employs a complicated and ultimately expensive core network. Major mobile carriers, who are often also wireline or even cable operators, will seek to consolidate their core networks under IP. Doing so offers cost advantages, the ability to offer multiple services over a single platform, reductions in operating and capital expenditures, rapid application development and often a competitive edge.

In summary, we need to look beyond RF performance criteria alone when evaluating the relative merits of mobile WiMAX vs. future incarnations of existing mobile technologies due to lack of real world data and the existence of other often ignored criteria.

GSM won the 2G mobile war despite offering inferior capacity figures due to strengths in other quadrants of the competitive matrix and we can not accurately gauge the performance that FLASH-OFDM, UMTS or 802.16e air interfaces will offer in 2008 or 2009 when mobile WiMAX gear is certified and ready to ship today.

Network Card

What is Network Card

A network card is an expansion card which installs into a computer and enables that computer to physically connect to a local area network.

The most common form of network card in current use is the Ethernet card. Other types of network cards include wireless network cards and Token Ring network cards.

Ethernet network cards most often use jacks. Wireless network cards usually have no external connections other than a possible antenna jack.

Other terms for network card include network adapter, network interface card and NIC.

Network Card Interfaces

Network cards are available which use a slot in the PCI bus. USB network cards are also available. Most laptops can utilize a PCMCIA network card.

Network cards, however, are becoming much more rare as most motherboards now include network interfaces.

What are Fiber Optics?

Fiber optic technology makes use of light to carry digital signals via optical cables. Fiber optic cables are very thin glass wires made from extremely pure optical glass. This technology is based on the concept of light reflection. In the case of fiber optics technology, light carrying digital signals is reflected inside the optical cable to transfer information. Total internal reflection is the principle behind the success of this technology.

Fiber Optics: Glass Anatomy

A fiber optic cable is basically made-up of three parts: the core, the cladding and the buffer coating. The core is made up of extremely pure optical glass that could be bent. The core serves as the passageway for signals that are in the form of light. The cladding keeps the light inside the core. Following the principle of total internal reflection, the cladding keeps light signals inside the core by bouncing it back and forth. The buffer coating serves as the protection on the cable from external elements which may damage the optical fiber. The buffer coating is usually made from plastic.

Optical fibers come in two major types that mainly vary in core size. A multi-mode fiber has a bigger core diameter compared to a single-mode fiber. Optical fibers are bundled in hundreds or in thousands to make up an optical cable. A jacket protects the fiber optic cable from external elements.

Why Fiber Optics?

There are a lot of reasons why fiber optics is preferred by telecommunications companies. The main reasons behind this choice are cost, efficiency and convenience.

Fiber optics glass cost less as compared to copper wires. Moreover, fiber optics is efficient because of a number of reasons. Using light as the mode to carry information brings about a lot of advantages. The most noticeable advantage is speed of data transfer. This is not very surprising since light travels faster than any existing wave. Light signals also degrade lesser than signals passing through copper conductors. Plus, light signals require lesser power to be transmitted.

The material used in fiber optics makes it very convenient to use. Optical fibers are thinner, more light weight and more flexible than copper wires. This makes it easier to carry, bundle and set up. Aside from this, optical fibers do not heat up and are non-flammable.

Fiber Optics Technology

Fiber optics works in the same way as any conventional information transfer system. You will need something to transmit the signal, carry the signal and something to receive as well as decode the signal.

A fiber optic relay system is composed of four main components; the transmitter, the optical fiber, an optical generator, and an optical receiver. The transmitter gathers and encodes the information and produces the primary signal through the optical fiber. The optical generator acts like a step-up transformer in electrical systems. It magnifies the signal to make up with signal degradation. And lastly, the receiver decodes and receives the information and converts it to a form that could be recognized by the receiver.

UTP Cable

An UTP cable (category 5) is one of the most popular LAN cables. This cable consists of 4 twisted pairs of metal wires (that means there are 8 wires in the cable). Adding RJ45 connectors at both ends of the UTP cable, it comes a LAN cable they usually use.

In Minoh lab, we always make UTP based LAN cables with the following instruction written by me. I don't know the instruction is formal or not, but at least it works well in Minoh lab.

Preparation

You need a special plier, RJ45 connectors, UTP cables, and a cutter.

UTP Category 5 cable	RJ45 Connector	Special Plier	Cutter

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Making Cable Follow the steps below.

1. Remove the outmost vinyl shield for 12mm at one end of the cable (we call this side A-side).
2. Arrange the metal wires in parallel (refer the each section's wire arrangement table). Don't remove the shiled of each metal line.
3. Insert the metal wires into RJ45 connector on keeping the metal wire arrangement.
4. Set the RJ45 connector (with the cable) on the plier, and squeeze it tightly.
5. Make the other side of the cable (we call this side B-side) in the same way.
6. After you made it, you don't need to take care of the direction of the cable. (Any cable in this page is directionless --- that means you can set either end of the cable to either device.)

How to see the wire arrangement
Take the UTP cable with your left hand and a RJ45 connector with your righyt hand. Hold the RJ45 connector in the way you can see the contact metal face (the horn(?) of the RJ45 connector comes invisible from you now). At this moment, I call Pin-number 1, 2, 3, ... from the upper side to the bottom side. This is the same at both side of the cable.
There are several different color set of UTP cables, so if the cable you have is not same as the one below, please re-map the color in a good way...

Same order in the wire arrangement table	Insertion

The tables below are for the case where the UTP cable consists of green/green-white, orange/orange-white, blue/blue-white, brown/brown-white twisted pairs.

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10 Base T / 100 Base T Straight

10BaseT and 100BaseT are most common mode of LAN. You can use UTP category-5 cable for both mode. (You can use UTP category-3 cable for 10BaseT, in which there are only 3 wires inside the cable.)
A straight cable is used to connect a computer to a hub. You can use it to connect 2 hubs in the case one of the hub has an uplink port (and you use normal port on the other hub).

Pin ID	side A	side B
1	orange-white	orange-white
2	orange	orange
3	green-white	green-white
4	blue	blue
5	blue-white	blue-white
6	green	green
7	brown-white	brown-white
8	brown	brown

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10 Base T / 100 Base T Cross

A cross cable for 10BaseT and 100BaseT is used to connect 2 computers directly (with ONLY the UTP cable). It is also used when you connect 2 hubs with a normal port on both hubs. (In other words, the cross cable is used relatively in a rare case.)

Pin ID	side A	side B
1	orange-white	green-white
2	orange	green
3	green-white	orange-white
4	blue	blue
5	blue-white	blue-white
6	green	orange
7	brown-white	brown-white
8	brown	brown

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ATM Straight

ATM straight cable is used to connect ATM NIC-card (computer) to ATM-Switch.

You can use as ATM straight cable because the pin arrangement is the same. (Actually, an ATM straight cable uses only 1,2,7,8 pins in 155Mbps mode, and 3,4,5,6 pins in 25Mbps mode. However, is fully wired and so there is no problem.)

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ATM Cross

You use ATM cross cable to connect 2 ATM-Switches (Wow, you have two!) with normal ports. (If there is an up-link port on one ATM switch, I guess you can use ATM straight cable to connect 2 ATM-Switches. However, I have never seen an ATM-Switch which has an up-link port.)

An ATM cross cable uses only 1,2,7,8 pins in 155Mbps mode, and 3,4,5,6 pins in 25Mbps mode.

Concerning CDDI cross cable, the pin arrangement of 1,2,7,8 pins are same as that of ATM cross cable, so you can divert for 155Mbps ATM cross cable (though I don't think you have it...)

Pin ID	side A	side B
1	orange-white	brown-white
2	orange	brown
3	green-white	blue
4	blue	green-white
5	blue-white	green
6	green	blue-white
7	brown-white	orange-white
8	brown	orange

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CDDI Straight

CDDI straight cable is used to connect CDDI NIC-card (computer) to CDDI concentrator. This cable is exactly same as the

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CDDI Cross

Pin ID side A side B 1 orange brown 2 orange-white brown-white 3 green green 4 blue blue 5 blue-white blue-white 6 green-white green-white 7 brown orange 8 brown-white orange-white

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ISDN S/T point connection cable

ISDN S/T point connection cable is used to connect ISDN device (TA, digital telephone, etc) to an DSU. Actually, this is same as.

GSM from GSM Wold

The following documents are GSM Association Permanent Reference Documents (PRD's) that have been classified as unrestricted for industry use. The documents are available as PDF files unless otherwise stated. Download Adobe Acrobat PDF reader here.

Flyers, papers & reports from the GSM Association | Papers & reports - general (External) | Papers & Reports on health & environment

Doc No.	Version	Date	Document Title
AA 24	3.3.0	Feb 07	Eligibility for Associate Membership (49kb)
AA 35	3.0.0	May 01	M-Services Guidelines Phase I (666kb)
AA 70	4.0	Jun 07	Agreement for International MMS Interworking Services (391kb)
AA 71	2.0	Jun 07	Agreement for International SMS Hubbing Services (420kb)
AA 80	3.0	Jul 08	Agreement for IP Packet eXchange (IPX) Services (395kb)
AA 81	1.0	Jul 08	Packet Voice Interconnection Service Schedule to AA.80 (291kb)
AA 82	1.0	Jul 08	SMS Service Schedule to AA.80 (338kb)
AA 83	1.0	Jul 08	IP Packet eXchange (IPX) Service Schedule for MMS IW (217kb)
AA 93	1.0	Jan 07	Mobile NFC Services (173kb)
DG 06	3.6	Feb 08	IMEI Allocation & Approval Guidelines (227kb) - Document previously titled TW06
DG 09	4.7	June 08	Battery Life Measurement Technique 4.7 (440kb pdf)
DG 11	4.8	June 08	Field Trial Guidelines version 4.8 (3.11mb zip)
FCG.01	1.0	May 08	Femtocell requirements on DSL Broadband (100kb)
FCG.02	1.0	May 08	Femtocell Interference and Frequency (1.51Mb)
IN.01	2.0	Jan 06	Guidelines for Service Level Agreement Between Mobile Operators and Carriers (66kb)
IN.05	1.0	May 06	Service Level Agreement for Signalling (144kb)
IN.06	1.1	Nov 06	Service Level Agreement for Video Telephony (52kb)
IN.07	2.0	Nov 06	Analysis for Video Telephony Interworking Scenarios (201kb)
IN.08	2.0	May 07	SMS Hubbing Handbook (316kb)
IR 20	3.4.0	Apr 00	Technical Implications of the Use of Optimal Routing (75kb)
IR 21	5.0	April 08	GSM Association Roaming Database, Structure and Updating Procedures (642kb)
IR 22	3.2.1	Sep 93	SCCP Signalling Aspects for Roaming (38kb)
IR 24	4.0	Nov 05	End-to-End Functional Capability Specification for Inter-PLMN Roaming (Stage 4 Testing) (1.80mb, zip) - This document describes the specification of IREG End-to-end Functional Capability tests relating to the international roaming of a Mobile Station, belonging to a home PLMN (a), to and within a visited PLMN (b). The fundamental objective of this testing is to confirm the capability, and sample the quality of service which GSM users will receive when roaming from their Home PLMN (a) to PLMN (b). The document aims to include all necessary checks that will verify the correct working of user features and any network features required by the HPLMN (e.g. Barring). The document also includes checks to verify that the quality of transmission, absence of echo and call set-up delay is within acceptable levels.
IR 26	3.7.0	Apr 03	End-to-End Functional Capability Specification for Inter-PLMN Roaming (Stage 4 Testing). Addendum for Phase 2 Supplementary Services and Operator Determined Barring (120kb)
IR 27	3.3.0	Mar 02	Functional Capability Test Specification for Inter-PLMN Roaming (Stage 4 Testing). Phase 1 Data Services, Fax Services (254kb)
IR 28	3.0.0	Apr 06	Specifications of the Infrastructure in a PLMN to Allow Automatic Testing (25kb)
IR 29	3.0.0	Apr 96	Proposal of a Minimal Requirement on an Automatic Test Equipment for Roaming (32kb)
IR 31	3.1	Feb 04	End-to-End Functional Capability Specification for Associate-PLMN SMS-Roaming (106kb)
IR 32	3.3.3	May 05	End-to-End Functional Capability Specification for Inter-PLMN CAMEL Roaming (CAMEL Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3) Part 1: test specification - Part One (668kb) Part Two (189kb)
IR 33	3.2.0	Apr 03	GPRS Roaming Guidelines (144kb)
IR 34	4.4	June 08	Inter-Service Provider IP Backbone Guidelines(898kb)
IR 35	3.3.1	Feb 03	End-to-End Functional Capability Test Specification for Inter-PLMN GPRS Roaming (452kb)
IR 37	3.0.0	Apr 00	Guidelines and Testing for Optimal Routing - Service definition (Stage 1 Testing) (176kb)
IR 40	4.0	Mar 07	Guidelines for IPv4 Addressing and AS Numbering for GPRS Network Infrastructure and Mobile Terminals (295kb)
IR 42	3.3	April 07	Definition of Quality of Service Parameters and their Computation (86kb)
IR 44	3.0.0	Aug 02	Requirements for QoS Measurement Equipment (77kb)
IR 50	3.3	April 06	2G/2.5G/3G Roaming (272kb)
IR 52	3.3	Aug 05	MMS Interworking Guidelines (242kb)
IR 53	3.1	Jul 05	MMS Inter-working Tests (330kb)
IR 60	3.1.2	Mar 05	Prepaid Service Roaming Test Template (203kb)
IR 61	3.1.0	Aug 04	WLAN Roaming Guidelines (also known as InterOperator Handbook) (517kb)
IR 62	3.2.0	May 05	End-to-End WLAN Roaming Test Cases (107kb) - This document specifies a set of test cases for WLAN roaming service to confirm that it complies with GSMA Official Document IR.61 WLAN Roaming Guidelines. RADIUS shall be the protocol to be used for passing authentication, authorization and accounting data (AAA).
IR 63	3.0.0	Jan 04	LBS Roaming and Inter-working Guidelines (217kb)
IR 65	3.6	Nov 06	IMS Roaming & Interworking Guidelines (423kb) - IR.65 gives common guidelines for IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem as specified by 3GPP) inter-operator connections in order to prevent non-interoperable and/or inefficient IMS services & networks. Areas covered in the document are IMS specific issues in roaming and interworking, addressing of users and network elements, routing of traffic, inter-operator related security issues, IP version usage and requirements for inter-PLMN backbone caused by IMS. Document concentrates on the network level issues.
IR 66	1.1	Nov 06	End - to - End Interworking and Roaming Test Specification for IMS (213kb)
IR 67	2.2.0	April 08	DNS Guidelines for Operators (390kb) - This document is intended to provide guidelines and technical information for those people who set up and/or maintain MNO DNS servers for MNO services. This document is not intended for those who want to learn about DNS in general.
IR 68	1.0	Aug 04	QoS Sensitive Roaming Principles (51kb) - This document includes the relevant roaming issues considering the 3GPP QoS profile. The approach is based on the four traffic classes. The current version of the document considers the background and interactive classes, but later on also the streaming and conversational classes will be included.
IR 69	1.0	Nov 05	Video Telephony Release Cause Usage Guidelines (66kb)
IR 74	1.1	April 08	Video Share Interoperability Specification (389kb) - This document specifies the terminal interoperable Real-Time Live Video Share service. For further Video Share service information please see also SE.41 "Video Share Service Definition".
IR 76	1.1	Feb 08	Instant Messaging based on OMA- IMPS: Interworking Guidelines (928kb) - The goal of this PRD is to ensure that interworking is handled correctly with Instant Messaging Service using the interworking protocol OMA-IMPS. Use of any other IM protocol such as SIP/SIMPLE is out of the scope of this document and should be addressed in separate documents.
IR 77	2.0	Oct 07	Inter-Operator IP Backbone Security Requirements For Service Providers and Inter-operator IP backbone Providers (1.36Mb) - The need to define an adequate level of security is critical and this document sets out how this can be achieved. This document together with PRD IR.34 [ref] describes a set of common guidelines of an Inter Service Provider IP Backbone to achieve an adequate security level
IR 79	1.1	April 08	Image Share Interoperability Specification (270kb) - This document describes the terminal interoperable Image (Live & Pre-stored) Share service.
IR 80	1.0	Mar 08	Technical Architecture Alternatives for Open Connectivity Roaming Hubbing Model (522kb) - This document describes specific aspects of the technical architecture alternatives for Open Connectivity Roaming Hubs that are being recommended by the IREG Roaming Hub Group
SE 23	3.1.0	Jan 03	The Services Group (SerG) of the GSM Association has produced a Permanent Reference Document (PRD SE.23) on Location Base Services (LBS). (1.2MB) The objective of this PRD is to: Brief the operator community at large on Location Based Services (LBS) and examples thereof. Develop guidelines and requirements for roaming and interoperability between operators. Help GSMA develop strategies to build pro-active co-operation with other significant industry fora. To provide operational guidelines to operators in advance of the availability of technical standards (e.g. inter-GMLC interface).
SE.47	1.0	Aug 07	White paper on Identity Management Requirements, Issues, and Directions for Mobile Industry (104kb pdf)
SE 25	3.2.0	Feb 03	M-Services Phase II Requirements (ZIP - 330kb)
SE 26	3.0.0	Jan 02	Operator Requirements for Features & Services (1.4MB)
SE 41	2.0.0	Mar 07	Video Share Service Definition (513kb) This document defines the Video Share service. For further Video Share specification information please see also IR.74 "Video Share Interoperability Specification".
SE 43	2.0	Jun 07	3G in Notebooks Guidelines version 2 (628kb) The use of mobile computers is spreading at a rapid rate. All around us, in public and private places, more and more people can be seen using notebook computers and with worldwide notebook sales forecast to exceed 60 million in 2006, this trend looks set to continue. At the same time, the way in which notebooks are being used is changing and connectivity (to the Internet and/or other networks) is becoming ever more important. The combination of these two trends is giving rise to a new requirement for the modern notebook user, which can be termed "pervasive connectivity", or "the ability to be online, wherever, whenever".
TD 13	5.0	Jun 07	TADIG Code Naming Conventions (65kb)
FLYERS, PAPERS & REPORTS FROM THE GSM ASSOCIATION
Packet Voice Interworking for Mobile Service Providers		July 08	The latest PVI White Paper from the GSMA identifies a number of key commercial and technical issues that can arise concerning interconnection when fixed and mobile network service providers introduce all-IP core networks. It then provides suggested solutions to the issues raised; has a number of recommendations for the next steps and the roadmap to achieve such solutions and it addresses the issue of a standard protocol for interworking for IP based voice. (226kb)
The GSMA magazine Mobile Investment Africa		Jun 08	'At the Connect Africa Summit in Kigali in October 2007, the GSMA announced that the mobile industry will be investing some US$50 billion over the next five years in sub-Saharan Africa. The level of commitment is unprecedented and will herald an era of affordable and universal voice and basic data services. It will also develop a mass market for mobile broadband services. I am delighted that we have assembled such a distinguished group of leaders for this publication who will outline their respective initiatives and strategic vision for the African continent. The GSMA looks forward to Africa’s modern communication age.' Tom Phillips, Chief Government & Regulatory Affairs Officer, GSMA (4.47mb)
The GSM Association Brochure 2008		Mar 08	The mission of the GSM Association as a unique global trade association is to preserve, enhance and promote the interests of GSM mobile operators, taking a leadership role in representing its Members with one voice on a wide variety of national, regional and global issues. On 17 September 1987, network operators from thirteen countries signed a memorandum of understanding that committed them to the joint development of a cross border digital system for mobile communications - GSM. The coming together of this group also marked the creation of an organisation that would become the GSM Association. (2mb)
GSMA Pay-Buy-Mobile Business Opportunity Analysis, vs1.0 November 2007		Nov 07	This Public White paper includes a description of NFC M-Payment services and the key business proposition. It also includes a detailed description of the PBM ecosystem, value chain and four different business models for evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions concerning the GSMA's Mobile NFC Technical Guidelines V2 White Paper		Nov 07	This document provides answers for a range of questions that may be raised when reading with the Mobile NFC Tech Guidelines vs2.0 White Paper.
Mobile NFC Technical Guidelines, vs2.0 November 2007		Nov 07	This document builds on the Technical Guidelines document vs1.0 and considers the following new topics: Host Controller Interface; UICC Run-Time environment; OTA Provisioning; mobile NFC device security. The version 1 guidelines are included as an appendix so it only necessary to download this single document to view all technical guidelines issued thus far.
GSMA publishes Near Field Communications (NFC) technical guidelines white paper		Apr 07	Twenty of the largest MNOs have been working together in a GSMA initiative to develop a common vision on Mobile NFC services. They have performed an analysis of the UICC to NFC Chip interface, the Mobile to reader interface and the multi-application UICC framework. This White Paper presents the results as a series of technical guidelines intended to support NFC standardisation and technology implementation activities. The content should also provide valuable information to other third parties who are defining and developing in their roles within the Mobile NFC ecosystem.
High density SIM global deployment imminent		Nov 06	GSM Association survey shows that operators expect the rollout of high capacity SIM cards and contactless technology over the next two years. The results of the GSM Association's annual SIM survey announced in November 2006 indicate a clear trend towards higher capacity memory SIM cards and the fast adoption of new technologies. This year's survey of 46 operators, who represent more than 460 million subscribers, indicated that the trend of constantly increasing the capacity SIM cards would continue. The commonest capacity today is 64 kilobytes, but this is quickly moving towards multi megabyte SIM cards using flash memory technologies.
Introduction to dotmobi - Making the Internet Mobile		Feb 06	Dotmobi is a new top-level domain, which will bring the wealth and variety of the Internet to mobile devices. A dedicated mobile namespace (.mobi) and web development style guides will ensure that dotmobi sites work effectively on mobile devices. It is expected to lead to a wider availability of Internet-based services for mobile users, higher mobile Internet usage and increased demand for Internet access over mobile. This in turn will extend the reach of the Internet to a whole new audience of users.
True Mobility for Laptop users has arrived		Feb 06	GSMA joined by Intel for Computer Mobility Seamless and simple access to GSM and Wi-Fi networks to open up a world of connectivity for notebook users
Regulation and the Digital Divide		Feb 06	How clear and fair regulatory foundationscan stimulate greater investment in mobilenetworks and services
Micro-Payment Systems and their Application to Mobile Networks		Feb 06	In many developing countries, particularly in rural areas, access to financial services is limited resulting in a large percentage of the population operating on a cash only basis and outside of the formal banking system. However, the proliferation of mobile services in these countries has created a unique platform to provide financial services over the mobile network. In light of the growing size of international and national banking remittances, there is a great opportunity to capitalise on the benefits of such a system.
Mobile Spam Code of Practice		Feb 06	The Mobile Spam Code of Practice is a new initiative fromthe GSM Association (GSMA) and its member operators.It has been devised to protect the secure and trusted envi-ronment of mobile services to ensure customers receiveminimal amounts of spam sent via SMS and MMS.TheCode takes a firm stance on how to deal with mobile spammessages that are either fraudulent or unsolicited commer-cial messages.
Delivering the next generation of multimedia services		Feb 06	Technology solutions and commercialframeworks developed andtested by the GSMA
Open Connectivity Gathers Momentum		Feb 06	Issues in the roaming and inter-working agreement process
Seamless Access WLAN		Feb 06	Wireless LAN Technology(WLAN) is now widelydeployed in the marketplaceand being used by mobileoperators and other thirdparty providers to providemobile WLAN services.
Regulation and the Digital Divide		Feb 06	How clear and fair regulatory foundationscan stimulate greater investment in mobilenetworks and services
Tax and the Digital Divide - Tax Report		Sep 05	Earlier this year, the GSM Association (GSMA) set in motion a programme to help eradicate the barriers to accessing mobile communications for people in developing countries This programme was the direct result of research that identified the cost of the mobile phone as one of several barriers to affordability in these nations.
TAP Testing Toolkit (TTT) Brochure 2005		Mar 05	he TTT is a user-friendly interactive windows application developed by the GSM Association (GSMA). It has been developed to provide assistance in the testing required prior to launching roaming with a new roaming partner and when upgrading billing systems. The TTT makes TADIG testing (as defined in TADIG PRDs) easier, more efficient and cost effective. The TTT facilitates automation of many testing functions and is very useful in validating that TAP is created properly. The TTT supports all TAP and RAP record format versions including the latest TAP3.11. The TTT is available to full GSMA Members as a part of their membership fee. The software can be downloaded from the InfoCentre. (80kb)
PAPERS & REPORTS - GENERAL (External)
Identity Management Framework Document		Jan 08	The IDM Framework, comprising of a Conceptual Architecture and Functional Architecture, defines what interactions are required and which functions are invoked between a MNO, another MNO or a third party service provider (3rd Party SP).
Mobile Broadband: The Global Evolution of UMTS/HSDPA		Jul 06	The growing commercialization of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), also known as Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), has been the topic of an annual white paper by 3G Americas since 2003, when the focus was Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release '99. With both the rapid progress of the evolutionary 3GPP roadmap for UMTS to HSPA from Release 5 (2004 white paper) to Release 6 (2005 white paper) and now Release 7, and the commercial deployment of 107 UMTS/WCDMA networks worldwide with nearly 75 million customers at the writing of this paper, the need for semi-annual updates has become necessary in order to provide reasonably current information.
Africa: The Impact of Mobile Phones - Vodafone		Mar 05	New research reveals economic and social benefits of mobile communications in Africa New research released today (9 March 2005) shows that Africa has seen faster growth in mobile telephone subscriptions than any other region of the world over the last five years. The report also highlights the consequent economic and social benefits in terms of per capital GDP growth, Foreign Direct Investment and life satisfaction. (2.80MB)
IMS - IP Multimedia Subsystem - Ericsson		Dec 04	This paper outlines how IMS enables a secure service-driven approach to moving all traffic to the packet switched domain and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) logic - making the best use of circuit- and packet-switched technologies along the way. It describes how fixed and mobile operators can begin rolling out IMS-standard services that generate revenue while making use of existing investments. (240kb)
Key Business Issues in the Service Layer - Ericsson		Dec 04	This white paper looks at how the service marketplace is evolving, and at how these changes impact networks operators, their operation, partnering strategies, and establishes some key issue in vendor selection. (85kb)
The CEBR report		May 04	A report published 10th May 2004 - the first in a series commissioned by O2 - shows how the mobile phone sector now contributes as much to GDP as the total oil and gas extraction industry. According to research by the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR), mobile contributed £22.9bn to UK GDP in 2003, 2.3% of total GDP. (7.6MB)
Options - Mobile technology in public service		Mar 04	This booklet lists just a few of the many ways in which those serving the public are using mobile technology to deliver new services to the public, and to deliver existing services more efficiently. We draw together, not just applications provided by O2, but also those enjoyed by customers of mobile networks across the globe. (3.5MB)
Incisor		Website	Since 1998, Click Information Terminology Ltd has developed special expertise in the area of short range wireless technologies - taking in Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband, Wibree, WLAN/Wi-Fi, ZigBee, RFID, NFC, WiMAX, Dect/CAT-iq and more. Click now operates a technology TV and Internet publishing business, and has developed an internationally-known brand. That brand is Incisor.
The GSM White Paper - Deutsche Bank		Feb 04	The Deutsche Bank paper, "Brilliant Past, Bright Future," describes the evolution of mobile over the last decade from a niche business to one of the largest and most important industries in the world. (955kb)
Accenture Press Release		2003	A Landmark Transformation: the GSM Association Reinvents Itself as a Commercially Focused Global Trade Association (322kb)
Citigroup Paper		Jul 03	GSM Association Reclaiming Power. (243kb)