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Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Globe Telecom gets preferred 3G spectrum from NTC
GLOBE Telecom is now set to roll out its 3G service as it has been given today its desired 3G frequency in the WCDMA band. Globe expressed satisfaction as it was able to choose its desired 3G bandwidth, in a meeting held at the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
NTC Commissioner Ronald Solis, together with NTC Deputy Commissioners Jorge Sarmiento and Jaime Fortes, facilitated the assignment of the 3G spectrum to Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, Digital Telecommunications Philippines and Connectivity Unlimited Resource Enterprise, the four telecom firms granted licenses to operate 3G mobile services in the country.
"We are very pleased that we were given the opportunity to choose the frequency spectra appropriate to our 3G operations. The frequency assigned us would allow us to deliver superior quality 3G services," Globe Senior Vice-President and Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Head Rodolfo A. Salalima said.
"Now that we have been given our desired 3G frequency, we can rapidly deploy our 3G service at the shortest possible time. With 3G operations, we are now ready to provide the public state of the art technology. More important and consistent with public service, the consumers are now given wider choices in service to suit their needs," Mr. Salalima added.
In July 2005, Globe has successfully completed its first video calls over its 3G trial network, allowing not only voice but also full-motion real-time videos between two mobile subscribers. In doing so, Globe became the first Philippine operator to accomplish such feat. This was done under the supervision of the NTC, using 3G trial permit and frequencies from the NTC.
Last November, Globe took the opportunity to showcase another live video call to the public during the 19th Advertising Congress in Cebu City as testament to the confident strides the industry is taking towards the advent of 3G in the Philippines.
During the 23rd Southeast Asian Games recently held in Manila, Globe further demonstrated its 3G capability when live video updates of the competition were shown to the public at the Globe & Gift Gate 3G Express in Glorietta using 3G video streaming. Also, live video interviews with athletes on the SEA Games Philippine Team were conducted via 3G.
Just last month, Globe made another video call this time to an overseas Filipino worker in Singapore. The international video call, also held at the 3G Express and done in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, made it possible for Delia Bautista to talk to her family who lives in Bicutan.
It was in October 2005 when Globe filed its application at the NTC for the grant of 3G frequency bands. Globe was the first local telecom company to comply with all of the NTC's 3G requirements to provide the service, as proof of its commitment to push and seek different breakthrough possibilities that will enrich people's lives through communications.
By December, Globe posted its P300-million performance bond before the NTC in compliance with the rules and regulations on the assignment of 3G frequency bands.
With 3G technology and services, customers will not only hear, but see loved ones - both here and abroad, as well as watch the news, TV shows, or sports highlights while mobile. Users can, likewise, choose to download and listen to the latest music, wherever and whenever the mood strikes them, among other applications.
With its newly obtained 3G license and radio frequency, Globe is all set to offer to the public 3G services this year. The company is now preparing to enlist customers for this service.
Third generation technology or 3G, as the natural progression of GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), is the next landmark in cellular technology evolution. Globe has been at the crest of breakthrough technological advancements most clearly evidenced by its pioneering thrusts in GSM and short messaging service (SMS).
Globe has maintained heading on the GSM evolutionary path of 2G, upgrading its networks to support General packet Radio Service (GPRS) or 2.5 G, and Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) or 2.75 G. With the onset of 3G, Globe once again pioneers a new technology to the country, bringing the latest innovations and advanced communications services to the Filipinos.
What does 3G mean?
3G (or 3-G) is short for third-generation mobile telephone technology. The services associated with 3G provide the ability to transfer both voice data (a telephone call) and non-voice data (such as downloading information, exchanging email, and instant messaging).
In marketing 3G services, video telephony has often been used as the flag-ship killer application for 3G. A certain euphoria was created, which led to huge spectrum-licensing fees in many countries, especially in Europe, where spectrum auctions generated many billions of euros for the respective countries. Since these spectrum licensing fees were collected many years before any income could be expected from 3G business, and since enormous investments are necessary to build the 3G networks, many telecommunication operators got into great financial difficulties, which greatly delayed 3G roll-out in all countries except Japan and Korea, where such spectrum licensing fees were avoided since priority was set on national IT infrastructure development.
The first country which introduced 3G on a large commercial scale was Japan. In 2005 about 40% of subscribers use 3G networks only, and 2G is on the way out in Japan. It is expected that during 2006 the transition from 2G to 3G will be largely completed in Japan, and upgrades to the next 3.5G stage with 3 Mbit/s data rates is underway.
The successful 3G introduction in Japan shows that video telephony is not a killer application for 3G networks after all. Actually, the real-life usage of video telephony on 3G networks is only a very very small fraction of all services. On the other hand, downloading of music finds very strong demand by customers. Music downloads were pioneered by KDDI with the EZchakuuta and the Chaku Uta Full services.
Next generation (3G) wireless networks are not IEEE 802.11 networks. Rather, they are networks dedicated to personal devices, including PDAs and cellular telephones.
(January 4, 2006 issue)
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