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Author 3G/UMTS
Drago
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Joined: Jul 04, 2002
Posts: 66
From: Sweden
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Posted: 2002-07-24 15:41
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Here on Esato everybody is speaking about getting the newest phones (P800/7650 etc.)
In a couple of months a whole new network will be starting up almost all over the world. Neither of those new headsets will be operational in the new networks. How come you dont want to wait?

In Sweden all operators (Tele2, Telia, Vodafone, Hi3G, Orange) has agreed to cover 98% of the population by the end of 2003 (with UMTS)
shawnmccall9
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Joined: Apr 21, 2002
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From: Chicago, IL USA
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Posted: 2002-07-24 16:34
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wow, that sounds kewl...can I come over?
La Vie En Diaspora: Enfin, une émission qui raconte votre vie aux Etats-Unis

Looking for a smartphone with GSM 850 and EDGE. Hoping the P1000 will come through...
jplacson
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Joined: Apr 21, 2002
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From: Philippines
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Posted: 2002-07-24 16:40
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That's still the end of 2003... enough time to buy a new handset again!

Although I feel that UMTS might not gain popularity as GSM did...all the telcos think that we all want the latest tech... but 90%of the mobile market just wants the basic functions. The fact that the 3310 is the #1 selling phone says that most people don't care for WAP, GPRS, MMS, UMTS, etc...as much as the telcos want to believe.

Unless UMTS is backwards compatible to older GSM networks and mobiles, it will flop the way CDMA did. To FORCE people to buy new handsets is very different from consumers CHOOSING to buy new handsets. I love the newest handsets. But my parents don't care about all the new bells and whistles. They're happy with the basic Voice/SMS functions... just like most people.

I want UMTS, I want 10MBps, I want mobile video... but unless EVERYONE else wants it... it won't be very profitable.
Newdren
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Joined: Jun 05, 2002
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From: London, England
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Posted: 2002-07-24 17:37
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I dont think UMTS is backwards compatible so to speak but most network operators will have there GSM networks still functioning for at least another 10 years in the mean time so no one wouldf be FORCED to upgrade. It should be much like the Anolouge - Digital changover where over the course of around 10 years anologue is slowly fazed out. (At least thats how it was in Britian anyway)
jplacson
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Posted: 2002-07-24 18:07
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But from a business stand point, I don't think telcos will invest that much in UMTS... for the simple fact that current GSM data tech isn't being used that much... sure we here at Esato use GPRS, MMS, and WAP like it was air and water... but what about the MAJORITY? Most people don't use any of the advanced features simply cuz they don't need them.

Most people don't own Nokia 8310s, 6510s or SE R520, T39, T68s... these are high end phones. Most people own Nok 3310, or the lower end SE models.

UMTS come on is the fast data rates... but if I don't use data... what is that to me? The promise video phones... but what if I don't want to pay extra just to see my annoying boss? Or annoying client? Occasional use of video will not make me trade my cute little 8890 or T68 for a clunky video phone. A few will... but is it worth it NOW? Maybe it'll be in a few years... 4 or 5 years maybe... but not now... people don't even use the full capabilities of their phones, let alone the networks... and now they're gonna try to create a new 'standard'??? I'd much rather they perfect GPRS first... show us a TRUE 115Kbps, before promising MB/s bandwidth.
bart
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Joined: Feb 03, 2002
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From: Flanders
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Posted: 2002-07-24 18:27
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here in belgium UMTS will be ready at the end of 2004 so here you'll have to wait a very very long time for us to talk about 3g phone's
NetGuy2
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Joined: Jun 27, 2002
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From: Barcelona, Spain
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Posted: 2002-07-24 19:19
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But what about the UMTS Phones??

Are ready to enter at the market??

Will the consumer use all products?? Because its possible that the "normal user" will only use the phone calls and SMS.

I see the UMTS as something not clear at all.
(But I love the UMTS service and "concept phones", I am willing to be the first user in Spain )
Drago
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Joined: Jul 04, 2002
Posts: 66
From: Sweden
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Posted: 2002-07-25 08:09
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Quote:

On 2002-07-24 17:37, Newdren wrote:
I dont think UMTS is backwards compatible so to speak but most network operators will have there GSM networks still functioning for at least another 10 years in the mean time so no one wouldf be FORCED to upgrade. It should be much like the Anolouge - Digital changover where over the course of around 10 years anologue is slowly fazed out. (At least thats how it was in Britian anyway)



UMTS networks will be compatible with GSM as long as the handsets are. I am planing a network in my country and we are planing to implement handovers with GSM.
pinolo77
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Joined: Jan 17, 2002
Posts: 390
From: Lugaggia, Switzerland
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Posted: 2002-07-25 09:35
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I think that the biggest question will be about content.What contents will be available for these phones?They have to find something original.Everyone who is interested in tech will have high speed internet at home and will not want to say a lot of money to perform the same operations on mobile when the good computer will do the job.And what about wi-fi?It will cost a lot less and work perfectly...3G will be a flop unless a BIG idea comes with it,that makes it worth having and PAYING MONTHLY.

This post was posted from a T68i

josch
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Joined: Mar 25, 2002
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From: germany
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Posted: 2002-07-25 10:03
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hey guys,

the problem for us is we need all a new mobile for UMTS; we can not use our "old" mobiles.

josch
Deltayoda
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Joined: Mar 03, 2002
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From: Los Angeles, California
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Posted: 2002-07-25 10:24
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I agree with jplacson. The majority does not own high-end phones to begin with. Only a small handful even knows they can use GPRS and WAP, what makes you think people will go for this? With UMTS, what's the point? Just another gadget we minority people are going to waste money on, which will probably serve absolutely no real purpose.

For me, I'm not really overly excited about it. Mostly, all I wanted out of my phone is just to view my Email and if possible, ICQ. I use my T68i and Ipaq together now (Using Bluetooth), which is fine, but doesn't exactly help me for anything. It's more of a personal enjoyment than anything else.

If I wanted to use this for business purposes, it would really be a pain in the ass to use, especially with that small screen and hard to type text. I'd much rather stick to pencil and paper and getting it all down on a PC and have it SYNC with my phone
Bajie
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Joined: May 20, 2002
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From: London
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Posted: 2002-07-25 10:48
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P800 will be upgradeable to 3G standard.
Killer Applications as mentioned above but if you think people out there aren't going to buy in to the technology you are sadly mistaken.
I used to argue that sms was not so useful. Look who uses it. Kids and the playstation generation.
MCA-20. Why. Because as an estate agent, car dealer, surveyor you can take a snap of a house/car/site and mail it immediately to your office.
And remember, as with GPRS and SMS you only pay for what you use. Tariffs will be set up to make it attractive.
Bajie, working hard on a UMTS rollout ...

Edited to let Delatoya know you can write on the screen of a P800 and it converts this to text. Very quickly. I was writing notes as intuitively as I do on my clie within a minute.

[ This Message was edited by: Bajie on 2002-07-25 09:50 ]
Deltayoda
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Joined: Mar 03, 2002
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From: Los Angeles, California
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Posted: 2002-07-25 20:34
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Right, just like my PDA, supposed to be easy, but it's rather complicated.

Sorry, it will never beat the good ol pencil and paper

As for people getting into this technology craze, hah! You think people are going to go on a buying spree with today's lousy falling economy? Just like these high tech GSM phones.

Supa_Fly
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Joined: Apr 16, 2002
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From: Toronto, Ontario
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Posted: 2002-08-01 22:24
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I want 10MB/second as well.

UMTS for it to work unemployment rates for all of Europe, Canada and the USA by 2004 should average 5% or less, this way the market--target or general--would actually buy the phones, and pay for the service. Next off wireless telcos shouldnt charge more that the most expensive phone they have in TODAY's market in 2004 since the 2.5G phones will NOT be compatible--due to transceiver hardware components not present in existing phones--and existing customers will be forced to buy new phones in order to continue their service. Maybe a buy back program should be put in place buy marketing departments, also since UTMS is an all IP-based network, what will this mean to existing clients cell phone numbers must they change, or will their #'s remain the same? Also the equipment manufacturers must produce really functional, yet easy to use phones for such a network. Lastly, is the CONTENT! UTMS will fail without CONTENT, iMode from NTT DoCoMo is an incredible program that should be mandatory worldwide. I dont believe that my service options for 3G or even now should be limited to what my telco chooses. Open the door to creative amateurs and professionals!

One Love!
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