Emerging Tech: EVDO: Advantage EV-DO

The need for mobile high-speed Internet connections has become a reality.
Mobile e-mail and Web streaming media are fast catching up in India. Technology
and services such as EV-DO are changing the way we communicate and work. EV-DO
may not mean much to Indian subscribers right now, but will soon do. With
wireless data connections that are 10 times as fast as a regular modem, EV-DO
offers huge advantages over WiFi and it may even be the long sought path around
local telephone and cable companies for high-speed Internet access.

inCode Technology and Strategy Group, US, in its predictions for global
wireless market during 2006 said that EV-DO, by enabling mobility, fast and
convenient attachment download, is set to displace paid WiFi.

1xEV-DO delivers higher performance and also allows network operators to
address a broader range of consumer markets.

The Service Enabler

A range of IP based information services can be deployed through 1xEV-DO
that will drive higher margins and increase network utilization. Multimedia
services such as broadcast video, push-to-talk, and online gaming are a few
examples of these high-value IP-based services.

CDMA 1xEV-DO is the third generation broadband wireless packet data
technology and the only commercial 3G technology that can deliver data rates
exceeding 2 Mbps. Wireless service providers on a global basis are adopting EV-DO
and are revolutionizing mobile broadband connectivity. According to 3G today.com
in March 2006, the number of subscribers of EV-DO services worldwide grew to
23.4 mn.Currently, Verizon Wireless is the leading provider for EV-DO coverage.
Sprint started EV-DO deployment in 2005 and it had a massive rollout in 4th
quarter, 2005.Since early 2005, EV-DO phones have become available, which can
hook up to the existing EV-DO network to provide new cell phone services, such
as real-time 3D games, mobile TV etc.

The next generation of EV-DO is EV-DO Rev. B, which is being developed by
Qualcomm. It is highly integrated with advanced functionality and it supports
the operation of up to three simultaneous channels of 1.25 MHz each for
higher-speed data rates. It has the capability to deliver significant
space-savings for devices that are thinner, smaller, and lighter.

The EV-DO Rev. B standard supports up to 4.9 Mbps in each channel for a
combined three-channel data speed of up to 14.7 Mbps on the downlink. It has the
processing power required for true multi-tasking capabilities, which can
converge multiple consumer electronics features. It also has the ability to
leverage the wireless bandwidth required to deliver these mobile services.

The Future Perfect

Qualcomm's chipsets for EV-DO Rev. B will deliver advanced functionality
in a single compact, fully optimized device.

The first commercial EV-DO Rev. B products to be data modems are expected to
be available in late 2007, with additional wireless devices available soon
thereafter.

Data services based on 1xEV-DO will be the key to revenue generation for CDMA
operators in future. CDMA operators around the world are either providing or are
in the process of deploying 1xEV-DO.

It is estimated that more than 8 mn subscribers have been added since its
commercial introduction in 2002. It is evident that 1xEV-DO stands out in the 3G
technology today.

Sonia Sharma

sonias@cybermedia.co.in