GSM Vs CDMA: The Divide and the W(i)LL

The debate over CDMA and the stiff opposition from COAI continues unabated
even as the final decision on limited mobility services is pending with the
Supreme Court. The CDMA vs GSM debate between the cellular and basic
associations has even taken ugly turns at times. The perception in the industry
is that CDMA is here to stay as a competing standard. Those opposing WLL
services should accept the ground reality and face competition and work towards
increasing their range of services besides improving the quality of services.
The services, if finally allowed, would provide the much needed relief to the
private basic operators considering that no one has fulfilled the rollout
obligations. Above all, the tele-density, which is languishing at around four
per hundred, will get the much-needed boost. Reliance Telecom has put its entire
bet on WLL services and showed reluctance in bidding for GSM licenses. The myth
that CDMA handsets are inferior to GSM handsets is no longer true.
Interoperability between GSM and CDMA has been successfully demonstrated. If the
Supreme Court rules in favor of WLL, Indian mobile industry will not be the same
again. With the technical possibility of roaming between GSM and CDMA set to
become a reality, WLL mobile is likely to become a big driver for growth of
mobile usage in the country.

Advantages Galore

The greatest benefit that CDMA offers is the easiest migration to 3G, ahead
of GSM operators, who need to go through a long and arduous migration path. CDMA
networks in India are a mix of CDMA (IS-95) and CDMA 2000 1X. Backward
integration of the two CDMA networks is possible, meaning that same handsets can
be used for both the services. Though data services form just about 2 to 3
percent of the revenue of operators and voice remains predominantly important,
the segment is slated to grow as more applications and content are developed.
CDMA 2000 network is capable of data speeds higher than the GSM networks. With
rentals as low as Rs 200, as recently announced by TRAI, coupled with free
incoming calls and outgoing call rate of Rs 1.20 for three minutes, WLL will be
far more attractive than GSM.

Operators: Who Offers What
	MTNL: Offers GSM services under the brand Dolphin and CDMA under the brand Garuda.
	BSNL: Has started WLL services in selected towns and is also planning a major cellular launch by the end of 2002.
	Tata Teleservices: Offers CDMA limited mobility services, while Idea (which has Tata as one of the partners), offers services on GSM. With the acquisition of majority stake in Hughes tele.com, the company is planning to start WLL services in Mumbai, a lucrative market. It is deploying 200 CDMA cell sites in Delhi, the most lucrative wireless market
	Shyam Telecom: Offers WLL services in Rajasthan (Oasis cellular offers cellular services on GSM)
	Reliance: Yet to start its WLL services. However, it currently operates its GSM services in eastern and central India under Smart brand.
	Bharti: Operates GSM services, but is reported to be studying the market and is open to offering WLL services as well, through its basic arm Bharti Telenet.

VPTs
can Get a Boost

We should not forget that it was the affordability factor and the potential
of quick rollout that made policy makers give a ‘go ahead’ for the
deployment of CDMA WLL by the basic operators. Technically speaking, WLL is a
cheaper mode of deploying village public telephony if the per line cost
comparisons are done. According to major vendors, the need to do away with wires
for the last mile is a cost advantage, given that the cost of fixed wireless
terminal ranges somewhere between Rs 9,000 to 12,000. But the problem is that
this has not happened till now, and most of the deployments have been done by
BSNL alone, which has put in about 20,000 WLL systems in the rural areas.

Conclusion

Growth of CDMA network will add to India’s overall wireless growth, which
is predominantly GSM as of now. The way COAI is going ahead with its
non-cooperation movement with CDMA players, will not help the new global Open
Mobile Alliance, which seeks better cooperation between players of competing
standards.

Industry statistics indicate that only 5 percent of the customers actually
roam out of their networks. So, even if the services are limited to SDCA, the
limiting of mobility to SDCA is not going to make much difference to operators.

Sudesh Prasad

GSM-CDMA: Interoperability Possibilities

Roaming between SDCAs: Regulators have allowed this service in the limited area of an
SDCA, so while technically roaming is possible, it can not be done in India.

Roaming between GSM and CDMA networks: This was demonstrated during the recent FIFA World Cup. The wireless technology breakthrough was achieved with the cooperation between the GSM Association’s Global Roaming Forum
(GGRF), Korean CDMA operator Korea Telecom Freetel (KTF) and Bouygues Telecom, which operates the French GSM 1800 network. KTF has developed intelligent handsets that accept the visiting GSM SIM card, so all personal information is still available to the roaming
client, which also retains his GSM number.

Compatibility has been enabled by SchlumbergerSema, a Germany-based company whose product–a smart card-based removable identity module
(R-UIM)–actually allowed KTF’s subscribers to roam between CDMA and GSM networks. Conforming to the
R-UIM (Removable UIM) TIA/EIA specification, the smart card acts as a bridge between GSM and CDMA air interfaces, enabling roaming between the two. A subscriber needs to insert the SIM card into the appropriate handset–a GSM handset or the
R-UIM-enabled CDMA handsets–to give instant access to local voice services when traveling. Phonebook entries, SMS and network parameters and settings are stored in the smart card, meaning that even if a subscriber changes handset
(GSM or CDMA), all the phonebook entries and network information will be accessible to the new mobile.

SMS exchange between CDMA and GSM networks: While technology allows the exchange, GSM operators are reportedly resisting the move for reasons better known to them. 

MMS between CDMA and GSM networks: Ericsson has recently demonstrated cross-technology MMS over CDMA2000 and GPRS networks in Hong Kong. The cross-technology demonstration included sending MMS from a
CDMA2000-enabled PDA to a GPRS terminal.