3G Harmonization Agreement Stretches Globally

Posted: 08/1999

3G Harmonization Agreement Stretches Globally
By Charlene O’Hanlon

Wireless operators and equipment suppliers from around the world have reached a
harmonization agreement on a standard for a new generation of wireless systems.

The globally harmonized third-generation (G3G) code division multiple access (CDMA)
standard, created by members of the Operators Harmonization Group (OHG), if adopted by the
appropriate standards bodies, would steer the wireless industry in a uniform direction
away from today’s technology toward new technology. The benefits to consumers would
include seamless global roaming, lower-cost phones and airtime, and new communications
services including high-speed data applications.

The OHG, comprised of wireless operators and wireless equipment manufacturers,
converged in Toronto in early June to discuss the technical parameters of the G3G CDMA
standard. As part of the discussions, the OHG has compiled a technical framework document
that will be submitted to world standards organizations, which will serve as a blueprint
of technical issues for regional standards bodies to consider and implement as they
establish a final G3G CDMA standard, according to the group. The standard agreement was
presented to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) during a meeting in Beijing
following the OHG meeting.

As part of the agreement, the standard will address creation of specifications for a
direct-sequence CDMA mode, a multicarrier CDMA mode and a time division duplex (TDD) CDMA
mode, needed by both wireless CDMA (W-CDMA) and cdma2000 companies.