3G - UMTS

UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone Service) is a Third Generation (3G) mobile system being developed within the ITU's IMT-2000 framework.

UMTS has the support of many major telecommunications operators and manufacturers because it represents a unique opportunity to create a mass market for highly personalised and user friendly mobile access to the Information Society.

UMTS seeks to build on and extend the capability of today's mobile, cordless and satellite technologies by providing increased capacity, data capability and a far greater range of services using an innovative radio access scheme and an enhanced, evolving core network.

Spectrum for UMTS
WRC'92 identified the frequency bands 1885-2025 MHz and 2110-2200 MHz for future IMT-2000 systems, with the bands 1980-2010 MHz and 2170-2200 MHz intended for the satellite part of these future systems.

How and When?
For the commercial and technical success of UMTS, and to meet its 2002 launch deadline, a number of steps are being undertaken by manufacturers, standards bodies, operators and regulators around the world:

- Creating an adequate regulatory framework
- Ensuring availability of licences
- Allocating adequate spectrum to operators
- Producing timely UMTS standards
- Encouraging simultaneous uptake of UMTS in several countries to stimulate uptake of services in a world-wide market.
- Full commercial phase (2002-2005), with performance and capability enhancements, and the introduction of new, sophisticated UMTS services.