Print
Discuss
Send to friend
RSS feedsThe potential bandwidth problems which the first GPRS and third-generation (3G) systems may face could be alleviated by the greater use of digital radio.
With operators expected to roll out high-speed data services to millions of users over the next two to three years, several companies are developing alternative delivery systems.
One of these is RadioScape, which is promoting an embedded chip deal it has signed with Texas Instruments to deliver a data transport technology called software-defined radio (SDR).
Up to now, SDR has been used mainly by the US military to make it easier to exchange data in the field. SDR allows users to optimise the various delivery technologies at their disposal, and automatically select the best system to use to access the data.
With a number of radio access technologies working in parallel over the next few years - GSM, GPRS, 3G, Bluetooth, wireless local area networks and infra red - such an optimisation and automatic selection solution may be a necessity for users.
RadioScape claims that digital radio is another neglected wireless protocol, and cites this as the reason for its link up with Texas Instruments.
A user with a PC or laptop would be able to pick up data over digital radio airwaves, as well as the audio services which digital radio licence holders are planning to send out.
Psion has already introduced a digital radio data reader, and NTL recently invested in RadioScape to help roll out the entertainment data services it plans to deliver as part of its involvement in alliances which hold various digital licences.
Robin Shephard, head of sales and marketing at RadioScape, told Network News: "Operators have paid billions for 3G licences, but digital radio licence holders only paid around £10,000 each for theirs, so they're in a good position to establish this data solution."
See also:
All Mobile Communications
del.icio.us
Digg this
reddit!
