Global Cellular Phone

With 700 MHz auctions looming, we thought we would take a look at the devices needed to support all the different spectrums and network technologies.

Wireless Networks

Gone are the days of a simple choice between GSM and CDMA.

The Spectrum auctions are expected to include a large number of licenses based on geographic location.

Every license holder of the new spectrum will need to employ the same wireless technology or require handsets to include all of the technologies that may be chosen for use on the 700 MHz band.

Network Technologies

• UMTS/HSPDA/HSUPA
• CDMA12000 with EV-DO Rev A
• LTE [Long-Term Evolution-the follow-on to UMTS]
• UMB [Ultra-Mobility Broadband - the follow-on to CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev A and B]
• WiMAX
• 802.20 [if still about]

Phone Technologies

Mobile devices for use on the ever widening range of spectrum technologies will need to support all of the wireless technologies that will be used on the various networks.

To date, the range of cellular phones worldwide support a wide range of technologies:

GSM Phones

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE
• UMTS/HSDPA
• Bluetooth
• Wi-Fi (some vendors)
• GPS (some vendors)
• MediaFLO/DVB-H, ISDB-T (one-way mobile TV)
• 700-MHz receive-only (for mobile TV on AT&Ts network)

Region Specific

• 800 MHz (U.S. and elsewhere)
• 900 MHz (Europe and elsewhere)
• 1800 MHz (Europe and elsewhere)
• 1900 MHz (U.S. and elsewhere)
• 2100 MHz (Europe and elsewhere)

Each one of these frequency bands requires RF and antenna components, and the different technologies require sophisticated chips that operate on the various technologies.

CDMA Phones

• CDMA2000 1X, EV-DO Rev A
• GPS
• Bluetooth
• MediaFLO/DVB-H/ISDB-T
• Wi-Fi (some vendors)
• 700-MHz receive-only (Verizon for mobile TV)

Region Specific

• 800 MHz (U.S. and elsewhere)
• 1900 MHz (U.S. and elsewhere)
• Japans UMTS or CDMA networks each require a different phone and configuration

New local-area technology (USB 2.0) will also need to be incorporated into moible devices.

Together, a true global use everywhere cellular phone would need the combined GSM / CDMA list.

The challenge for cellphone engineers is to cram all this capability into a single phone, with decent battery power AND sell it for a reasonable price.

The challenges with this are that:

1. each frequency band requires an antenna [some are multiple bands]
2. the radio portion of the device has to be full duplex [listen and talk at the same time]
3. be able to receive data and voice simultaneously.
4. GPS, Bluetooth and USB 2.0 all need to be functional.
5. include a camera and/or video camera, MP3 player etc
6. maintain a small form factor
   

I don't expect this challenge to become a reality any times soon. Just as well for sub-$50 phones - in spite of their limited capabilities outside their own markets, at least getting a temporary phone to meet travelling needs is now affordable.

The closest true global cellphone we could find is the newly approved iMate Windows Mobile 6-run devices. The Ultimate 6150, has received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval for release in the U.S.

The Ultimate 6150 is a member of the Ultimate series of smartphones proposed in a full-range of form factors, but with the same basic internal specifications all around. More on iMate

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