Vodafone and Motorola team up for UMTS trials

NEWS Vodafone has announced it will work with Motorola to develop third-generation mobile network technology. From June, Motorola will supply prototype terminal devices based on the NTT DoCoMo W-CDMA specification of the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) standard. UMTS is generally seen as the successor to GSM. It is a technology that will allow broadband transmission rates of up to 384Kbps - four times faster than double-speed ISDN, and a rate that raises the prospect of handheld Internet access and videophones. Vodafone said it will use Motorola's Static System Simulator (SSS), which will allow it to use data from its existing UK GSM cellular network to project the cost of deploying services with different traffic rates. The partnership isn't unique. BT has already started to work with Nortel Networks and NEC on third-generation infrastructure, while One2One is working with Ericsson. UK third-generation licences will be awarded via government-run auctions, which have been delayed after having been originally scheduled for this summer. In addition to the current four mobile operators, bidders are expected to include media companies Reuters, Carlton and United News and Media, as well as BT. Up to five licences will be awarded, with each likely to fetch around £500m.