Abstract

Abstract

By the time GSM had been endorsed globally as the most successful cellular technology for the voice and low speed data connectivity, the demand for the high QoS voice capacity and high speed wireless broadband access became immense. The successive improvements in the GSM architecture in terms of network (GPRS Core), Access Enhancement (EDGE Modulation Advantage) to some extent answered the core question of capacity, speed and latency but many issues remained intact. UMTS the global initiative of telecom bodies aimed in providing the answers to the remaining issues mainly not only limited to high speed, capacity, latency but the efficient utilization of bandwidth, spectrum, mobile backhaul, hardware resources, capacity and cellular planning by introducing WCDMA access network and fully convergent and evolved core. The UMTS networks attracted emerging business models which are closer to internet based scenario than the conventional teleco approaches.

The research thesis has aimed in providing a vital difference analysis between the GSM and UMTS and based on that a techno-economic roadmap for the seamless migration to 3G/UMTS from GSM/GPRS/EDGE presented. The key planning issues faced by the operators when designing the upgrade to access and the core and simultaneously providing full interoperability function to predecessor network have been addressed along with the possible solutions. The cost savings involved along the road to migration have been pointed out where necessary and feasible. The micro economical analysis carried out on the technological plane of UMTS and macro economical analysis on the business side. In the end the model has been applied on a specific country Pakistan. The suggestions and approaches given in the general techno-economic roadmap have been specialized and made specific to the Pakistan Telecom market in terms of recommendations.

The evolution of GSM/GPRS infrastructure into 3G/UMTS network. A Techno Economic Roadmap.

Abstract

The evolution of GSM/GPRS infrastructure into 3G/UMTS network. A Techno Economic Roadmap.