Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS)

The UMTS of Europe is the third generation (3G) successor to the second generation GSM based technologies, including GPRS and EDGE. UMTS uses a totally different air interface or multiple access technology i.e. CDMA to carry the radio signals, and often the system is referred as Wide band CDMA (WCDMA). CDMA is the most preferred 3G technology for wireless communications because of the many advantages. It offers higher capacity, lower mobile transmit power, lower reuse factors, high peak data rates, multipath diversity, and soft handoff. Many of the ideas from GSM networks have been carried over and enhanced for UMTs.

Objectives of UMTS

UMTS delivers the 3G services based on global standard IMT 2000. The main objectives of UMTS are as follows,

• Use of frequency bands of 1885 MHz - 2025 MHz and 2110 MHz - 2200 MHz as defined in IMT 2000 standard
• High frequency spectrum efficiency
• Integration of multiple networks such as terrestrial, satellite and indoor networks in a single system and one user equipment with low cost
• Seamless and global radio coverage
• Quality of service (QoS) comparable to current fixed networks
• No compromise in security on mobile use
• Service capability from text and voice up to multimedia for the whole population using satellite networks at low cost
• Numbering system independent of network and service provider
• Separation of service provision and network operation
• Flexibility for the introduction of new services and technical capabilities