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Proponents of ultrawideband (UWB) and WiMAX are showing interest in getting their wireless technology incorporated into unlicensed mobile access (UMA) technology. “We’ve had very early interest from the UWB people -- they’ve been sniffing around,” said Steve Shaw, director of marketing at California-based UMA specialist Kineto Wireless. “Even the WiMAX people -- we’ve had Intel ask about how this could work for WiMAX as well, because really it’s just an IP-based protocol.” UMA allows a mobile handset to use various technologies, typically GSM and WiFi, to make calls. The handset automatically switches between the different networks, the aim being to offer the user the cheapest available connection. BT is already holding trials of its version of UMA, which uses Bluetooth to connect to the fixed line in the home and GSM outside. Shaw believes WiFi and GSM will be the main UMA technology combination with UWB and WiMAX coming later, “if at all.” Motorola and TeliaSonera Denmark announced the completion of a six month technical trial of UMA technology using Bluetooth last week. Motorola is now moving to making calls over a 3GPP-compliant UMA system in an operational network environment using WiFi. The company said 10 European operators are trialing its UMA system. “For mobile operators it’s a way to extend services over the IP network, whatever that extension technology happens to be,” said Shaw. “The operators’ eyes are now open to what the potential is.” Shaw believes operators’ plans for commercial rollout will be announced in the next three to six months with UMA handsets becoming available in the second quarter of 2006. Electronics Weekly is the London-based sister publication of Electronic News. |